Exceeding Hitch weight and GAWR Concern
07-21-2010, 01:28 PM
#11
If you're using a WD hitch setup you should be ok. The tongue weight you're weighing on the scale with the dolly down isn't reflective of what you are putting on the tongue with the WD hitch installed.
You can come close to figuring out the net tongue weight after the WD hitch by weighing the entire trailer sitting alone on the scale, then hook up the trailer and put just the two trailer axles on the pad and weigh it. Subtract the two rear axels total weight from the overall trailer weight and what is remaining is the actual tongue weight with the WD hitch setup.
Good luck and let us know your findings!
You can come close to figuring out the net tongue weight after the WD hitch by weighing the entire trailer sitting alone on the scale, then hook up the trailer and put just the two trailer axles on the pad and weigh it. Subtract the two rear axels total weight from the overall trailer weight and what is remaining is the actual tongue weight with the WD hitch setup.
Good luck and let us know your findings!
07-21-2010, 03:31 PM
#12
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Bottom line is the legal issue. If you are in a serious accident, the insurance company (either yours or their's) has the option of hauling your truck / trailer wreckage to a scale and weighing everything. If you exceed any of Ford's numbers, your policy may be void. All my camping was done with a 3/4 ton truck just for that reason. For me, I slept better knowing I was well within the truck's specs.
07-21-2010, 05:31 PM
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If you're using a WD hitch setup you should be ok. The tongue weight you're weighing on the scale with the dolly down isn't reflective of what you are putting on the tongue with the WD hitch installed.
You can come close to figuring out the net tongue weight after the WD hitch by weighing the entire trailer sitting alone on the scale, then hook up the trailer and put just the two trailer axles on the pad and weigh it. Subtract the two rear axels total weight from the overall trailer weight and what is remaining is the actual tongue weight with the WD hitch setup.
Good luck and let us know your findings!
You can come close to figuring out the net tongue weight after the WD hitch by weighing the entire trailer sitting alone on the scale, then hook up the trailer and put just the two trailer axles on the pad and weigh it. Subtract the two rear axels total weight from the overall trailer weight and what is remaining is the actual tongue weight with the WD hitch setup.
Good luck and let us know your findings!
07-21-2010, 06:22 PM
#14
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Agree with SoCal...Ford has already done the math for you with their dual weight ratings on the truck receiver. The whole purpose of a WD hitch is to take the tongue weight and distribute it to the front axle of the truck and axles of the trailer. That is figured into the WDH number, which is dead weight of the trailer tongue that you are going to weight distribute. Dead weight includes battery, full LP tanks, etc.
07-21-2010, 07:45 PM
#15
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All,
Thanks, appreciate the input.
As I said I would, I got rid of some weight, re-weighed the truck and trailer today and came up with somewhat better results.
Bottom line: With the trailer hitched I'm still 110 lbs over the 4,050 lbs GAWR for the rear truck axle (with only 2 people in the truck, 100 lbs of gear in the bed, 180 lbs of fuel, and a 190 lb camper shell). Can't cut back much more, so I'm still looking for a way to solve this.
The actual trailer tongue weight was reduced from 1,200 (Sunday's weight) to 980 lbs, which is below the 1,150 max tongue weight for the truck. Now, my only concern is exceeding the truck rear axle GAWR by 110 lbs.
--Dave
Thanks, appreciate the input.
As I said I would, I got rid of some weight, re-weighed the truck and trailer today and came up with somewhat better results.
Bottom line: With the trailer hitched I'm still 110 lbs over the 4,050 lbs GAWR for the rear truck axle (with only 2 people in the truck, 100 lbs of gear in the bed, 180 lbs of fuel, and a 190 lb camper shell). Can't cut back much more, so I'm still looking for a way to solve this.
The actual trailer tongue weight was reduced from 1,200 (Sunday's weight) to 980 lbs, which is below the 1,150 max tongue weight for the truck. Now, my only concern is exceeding the truck rear axle GAWR by 110 lbs.
--Dave
07-21-2010, 08:28 PM
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Dave...couple of questions. My SCREW has a 36 gallon tank. Assuming 8 lbs per gallon, a full tank would bring you to more like 250 lbs. Also, you mentioned two people at the weigh station. Is that really all you'll have? Only things you can do to reduce rear axle weight are shift more weight towards the front axle with the WD hitch, or move items from the truck bed to the trailer. Be careful to not take too much off the tongue, as it can contribute to additional trailer sway. Don't mean to rain on your parade, but the bottom line is you're over loaded. There really is no padding on the numbers published by Ford. Over on rv.net, the general rule is to only be at 70-80 percent of the max published numbers. If you do a lot of campling, I'd seriously look at a 3/4 ton truck. You've got a lot of camper behind you for a 1/2 ton truck.
07-21-2010, 08:37 PM
#17
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Hi Dave,
I'm in a similar situation to you. Once I add fiance, dog, and trailer, I've got 50 pounds payload left. I have a 31 foot Dutchmen I haven't towed extensively down the Interstate yet, but it does pull the back of my truck down.
You'll find people swearing it's ok, and other who swear it's not. If your truck feels comfortable to you, roll with it.
I'm not taking mine over the payload limits. And I pack my trailer with that in mind. Nothing in the front of the axles and everything behind. And my trailer is 75% of my max tow. But again, that's my own choice and how I do it.
While stuff like air bags and helper springs help with the ride and level, they do not increase your payload. Regardless, I'm really thinking of those Super Springs.
Timothy
I'm in a similar situation to you. Once I add fiance, dog, and trailer, I've got 50 pounds payload left. I have a 31 foot Dutchmen I haven't towed extensively down the Interstate yet, but it does pull the back of my truck down.
You'll find people swearing it's ok, and other who swear it's not. If your truck feels comfortable to you, roll with it.
I'm not taking mine over the payload limits. And I pack my trailer with that in mind. Nothing in the front of the axles and everything behind. And my trailer is 75% of my max tow. But again, that's my own choice and how I do it.
While stuff like air bags and helper springs help with the ride and level, they do not increase your payload. Regardless, I'm really thinking of those Super Springs.
Timothy
07-22-2010, 04:23 PM
#19
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New guy here. I have a 2010 F150 supercrew 4x4 with max tow package.
the actual weight on my rear axle measured 4,200 lbs. (If it matters, the front axle has a GAWR of 3,900 lbs and actually weighed 3,460 lbs).
Issue: the trailer's tongue weight exceeds my max hitch weight by 50 lbs (1,200 - 1,150) and exceeds my rear GAWR by 150 lbs (4,200 - 4,050).
--Dave
the actual weight on my rear axle measured 4,200 lbs. (If it matters, the front axle has a GAWR of 3,900 lbs and actually weighed 3,460 lbs).
Issue: the trailer's tongue weight exceeds my max hitch weight by 50 lbs (1,200 - 1,150) and exceeds my rear GAWR by 150 lbs (4,200 - 4,050).
--Dave
While you're indicating an issue with being over the Rear Axle Rating (4050), the 09 F150 has a GVWR of 7200# (yes the ft and rear axles add up to more) according to your numbers above Your Truck weighs 7660 # . I'm not sure if that is with all your passengers, cargo, and tongue weight, but you're 460 lbs over your Trucks GVWR (on drivers door)
I have an 09 F150 Platinum Screw 4X4, 5.4L with. I weighed it last weekend at my local CAT Scales, my Truck alone with just me (190) and 36 gallons of fuel came in at 6320lbs. (ft 3520 rear 2800) that only leaves me with 880lbs for passengers (My wife), cargo and a trailer tongue weight before exceeding my F150's GVWR of 7200#. It is the TV GVWR that is usually the first Number that gets exceeded.
Russ
07-23-2010, 03:53 PM
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Hey Dave -
While you're indicating an issue with being over the Rear Axle Rating (4050), the 09 F150 has a GVWR of 7200# (yes the ft and rear axles add up to more) according to your numbers above Your Truck weighs 7660 # . I'm not sure if that is with all your passengers, cargo, and tongue weight, but you're 460 lbs over your Trucks GVWR (on drivers door)
I have an 09 F150 Platinum Screw 4X4, 5.4L with. I weighed it last weekend at my local CAT Scales, my Truck alone with just me (190) and 36 gallons of fuel came in at 6320lbs. (ft 3520 rear 2800) that only leaves me with 880lbs for passengers (My wife), cargo and a trailer tongue weight before exceeding my F150's GVWR of 7200#. It is the TV GVWR that is usually the first Number that gets exceeded.
Russ
While you're indicating an issue with being over the Rear Axle Rating (4050), the 09 F150 has a GVWR of 7200# (yes the ft and rear axles add up to more) according to your numbers above Your Truck weighs 7660 # . I'm not sure if that is with all your passengers, cargo, and tongue weight, but you're 460 lbs over your Trucks GVWR (on drivers door)
I have an 09 F150 Platinum Screw 4X4, 5.4L with. I weighed it last weekend at my local CAT Scales, my Truck alone with just me (190) and 36 gallons of fuel came in at 6320lbs. (ft 3520 rear 2800) that only leaves me with 880lbs for passengers (My wife), cargo and a trailer tongue weight before exceeding my F150's GVWR of 7200#. It is the TV GVWR that is usually the first Number that gets exceeded.
Russ
Very good point that would also apply to the OP.
