advise on towing
Thread Starter
|
Freshman User
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 33
Likes: 0
advise on towing
Ok I know this has been probably posted a million times but please be patient with me on this one. I have a 01f250 7.3 psd 3:73 rear end automatic short box club cab (two small doors). I just had it weighed at the scale and with me in it with 1/4 tank of fuel it weighed 7320#.
In my owners manual it states for my truck GCWR=20,000# and the "Maximum Trailer Weight=10,000#. It states, "Subtract your loaded vehicle weight from the maximum GCWR on the chart. This is the maximum trailer weight your vehicle can tow and must fall BELOW the maximum shown under "maximum trailer weight." Heres where I need your guys help. I am very close to purchase a new travel trailer with the following: unloaded vehicle wt=6695#,hitch wt 1100#. cargo carrying cap 1805. Gross vehicle wt rating=8500. Sooooooooooo say for example I dont put any additional wt in my truck (7320 loaded vehicle) heres what I dont understand according to the manual GCWR (20000) minus loaded vehicle weight rating (7320)=12680. Heres what I dont understand 12680 is not BELOW 10,000 "Maximum trailer weight. What am I doing wrong?(maybe I'm just plain stupid) I feel like this trailer is something I should be able to tow. Thanks for your patience guys!
In my owners manual it states for my truck GCWR=20,000# and the "Maximum Trailer Weight=10,000#. It states, "Subtract your loaded vehicle weight from the maximum GCWR on the chart. This is the maximum trailer weight your vehicle can tow and must fall BELOW the maximum shown under "maximum trailer weight." Heres where I need your guys help. I am very close to purchase a new travel trailer with the following: unloaded vehicle wt=6695#,hitch wt 1100#. cargo carrying cap 1805. Gross vehicle wt rating=8500. Sooooooooooo say for example I dont put any additional wt in my truck (7320 loaded vehicle) heres what I dont understand according to the manual GCWR (20000) minus loaded vehicle weight rating (7320)=12680. Heres what I dont understand 12680 is not BELOW 10,000 "Maximum trailer weight. What am I doing wrong?(maybe I'm just plain stupid) I feel like this trailer is something I should be able to tow. Thanks for your patience guys!
Post Fiend
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 5,324
Likes: 1
From: Denton,TX
The wording is confusing, but basically from your calculations you can tow up to the max rating, 10K#. Watch out for your GVWR as well. If your truck weighs 7320# then you have 1480# left for tongue weight, fuel, cargo, and other passengers. 1100# seems a little high for the tongue weight, so the storage compartments must have some effect on the loaded tongue weight. You are a little over 16% tongue weight right now. I'm guessing you have a front kitchen. I've always liked kitchens that are over the axles because stuff tends to move around less when you travel. Anyway, back on topic. 
Fully loaded at 8500# with 16% tongue weight you would be at 1360# which wouldn't leave much room for fuel and other passengers. I would suggest asking them if they know what the approximate tongue weight is when fully loaded. I would hope it would be lower than 16% and it may actually be much lower depending on where the tanks and storage compartments are. Most tag along trailers have a tongue weight (loaded) of between 10-15%. I would also suggest a weight distributing hitch (I'm sure you already know this, but it's worth mentioning). I hope this helps answer your questions.
Fully loaded at 8500# with 16% tongue weight you would be at 1360# which wouldn't leave much room for fuel and other passengers. I would suggest asking them if they know what the approximate tongue weight is when fully loaded. I would hope it would be lower than 16% and it may actually be much lower depending on where the tanks and storage compartments are. Most tag along trailers have a tongue weight (loaded) of between 10-15%. I would also suggest a weight distributing hitch (I'm sure you already know this, but it's worth mentioning). I hope this helps answer your questions.
Thread Starter
|
Freshman User
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 33
Likes: 0
thanks a million johndiesel. you are absolutely right it is a front kitchen. What is your honest opinion of me pulling this unit? By the way I do know what an equalizing hitch is as I presently have a 25ft. trailer that I will be trading for a Jayco model 282fks which is 29'-8". My equalizing bars presently are 750# capacity. The dealer said that he will trade me for 1000# bars. Thanks for your opinion. I really like the unit that I am about to purchase but I gotta be real with myself as I dont want to hurt the truck.
Thread Starter
|
Freshman User
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 33
Likes: 0
Originally Posted by johnsdiesel
The wording is confusing, but basically from your calculations you can tow up to the max rating, 10K#. Watch out for your GVWR as well. If your truck weighs 7320# then you have 1480# left for tongue weight, fuel, cargo, and other passengers. 1100# seems a little high for the tongue weight, so the storage compartments must have some effect on the loaded tongue weight. You are a little over 16% tongue weight right now. I'm guessing you have a front kitchen. I've always liked kitchens that are over the axles because stuff tends to move around less when you travel. Anyway, back on topic. Fully loaded at 8500# with 16% tongue weight you would be at 1360# which wouldn't leave much room for fuel and other passengers. I would suggest asking them if they know what the approximate tongue weight is when fully loaded. I would hope it would be lower than 16% and it may actually be much lower depending on where the tanks and storage compartments are. Most tag along trailers have a tongue weight (loaded) of between 10-15%. I would also suggest a weight distributing hitch (I'm sure you already know this, but it's worth mentioning). I hope this helps answer your questions.
Fully loaded at 8500# with 16% tongue weight you would be at 1360# which wouldn't leave much room for fuel and other passengers. I would suggest asking them if they know what the approximate tongue weight is when fully loaded. I would hope it would be lower than 16% and it may actually be much lower depending on where the tanks and storage compartments are. Most tag along trailers have a tongue weight (loaded) of between 10-15%. I would also suggest a weight distributing hitch (I'm sure you already know this, but it's worth mentioning). I hope this helps answer your questions.
Post Fiend
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 5,324
Likes: 1
From: Denton,TX
Is the tow limit for your vehicle based on the receiver hitch or is it a seperate tow rating? My truck also has a GCWR of 20K# and it is rated to tow 12.5K# with a tag along. With a GCWR of 20K# you should be able to tow it no problem and do so safely, but you will be pushing the limits of the GVWR. The GVWR seems to be the number you will need to watch. I think you'll be fine with your setup, but be concious of the fact that you are close to your GVWR. Try to load cargo in the trailer as much as possible rather than in the truck. This should help a bit. I would also suggest asking the RV dealer if they know what the loaded tongue weight is. I suspect it is lower than 16% when fully loaded. Good deal on trading for the 1000# bars too!
Thread Starter
|
Freshman User
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 33
Likes: 0
Johndiesel, I dont want to show my ignorance here as you have been a big help so far. Could you please help me understand what you mean by that I am close to my gvwr. I not sure what my gvwr really is. Man you have really been helping alot. Thanks in advance.
Post Fiend
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 5,324
Likes: 1
From: Denton,TX
The GVWR is the Gross Vehicle Weight Rating. That's the maximum weight that your vehicle is allowed to weigh when fully loaded with fuel, passengers, accessories, cargo, tongue weight, etc. Unfortunately, you have one of the heaviest configurations for your truck. The only one heavier is the longbed. A CC, 4x4, and PSD all add weight to your truck and reduce the amount of payload that you have. Take 8800#, which is your GVWR, and subtract anything else that is going to be in your truck. It's going to be close, but I think you will make it under the GVWR. FYI, the GVWR for the F350 SRW is 9900# and the only difference is the size of the blocks under the springs in the rear, but it does increase the GVWR.
Trending Topics
Thread Starter
|
Freshman User
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 33
Likes: 0
Johndiesel Thanks a million man. I dont want this trailer to be a mistake as far as my 7.3 being able to pull it, and like you stated pull it safely. I once made a mistake when I had a gasser and bought to big/heavy of a fifth wheel and boy did I ever regret it. I just want to be comfortable in my mind that my 7.3 4x4 that I now have wont be on a continuous/severe labor when it comes to pulling it. What your final thoughts?
FTE Stories
Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts
Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer
Joe Kucinski
2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)
Brett Foote
Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies
Joe Kucinski
AEV FXL Super Duty - the Super Duty Raptor Ford Doesn't Make
Brett Foote
Lobo Vs Lobo: Proof the F-150 Lobo Should Be Even Lower!
Michael S. Palmer
Ford's 2001 Explorer Sportsman Concept Looks For a New Home
Verdad Gallardo
10 Best Ford Truck Engines We Miss the Most!
Joe Kucinski
2026 Shelby F-150 Off-Road: Better Than a Raptor R?
Brett Foote
2027 Super Duty Carhartt Package First Look: 12 Things You NEED to Know!
Michael S. Palmer
Thread Starter
|
Freshman User
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 33
Likes: 0
Johndiesel, Sir you have certainly been a big, big help on putting my mind to ease, I understand a heck of lot more than I did an hour ago. As far as the hitch weight on this travel trailer the brouchure states 1100# "unloaded hitch weight". Could it actually be possible (as I think you started earlier) that depending on where the water tank is at that once it is filled that it could actually lighten the hitch weight. One last thought also is once the trailer is hitched to my truck will the 1000# bars help to actually level the truck back up if it squats down? Thanks again for everything, you really know your stuff!
Post Fiend
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 5,324
Likes: 1
From: Denton,TX
Thanks for the compliment. Yes, it is possible and I think likely that the loaded hitch weight will be less than 16%. It will be at least 10% but most likely will be less than the 16% you are at when it's empty. You weight distributing hitch will remove a good portion of that weight anyway, so don't worry about it. Not only does it distribute some of that weight onto the front axle of the truck, but some if it is also redirected back onto the trailer. Once you're fully loaded maybe you should get the rig weighed and you'll know how much payload you have left in the truck for cargo.
Thread Starter
|
Freshman User
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 33
Likes: 0
Johndiesel
Johndiesel, well I went and did it. I sealed the deal on a new jayco 282fks. I asked the dealer as you instructed me to do about the tongue % weight when loaded and he wasnt sure. However he did show me the the 46 gallon water tank is in far BACK and so is the main storage which goes completely across. So he also said with this in mind that the tongue weight will actually be lower when watered down and loaded. I pick it up next Saturday august 14th. The dealer said that he will probably trade me my 750 bars for either the 1000 or the 1200 whichever worked best no charge.
Thanks a million again for the education johndiesel, I'm one of these guys that worked hard for what I got and cant afford to do it twice.
Best Regards
Laudy
Thanks a million again for the education johndiesel, I'm one of these guys that worked hard for what I got and cant afford to do it twice.
Best Regards
Laudy
Post Fiend
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 5,324
Likes: 1
From: Denton,TX
You're welcome. I'm glad I could help. That's what I like about FTE, there is usually someone who has an answer to almost any question. It's like a huge bank of knowledge and we all bring something different. Anyway, enjoy your trailer.