healthi

We just ordered a TT that has a hitch weight of 800lbs. Once we add the propane (60lbs) and not to mention the stuff we will stow in the front of the trailer's storage area, I am wondering if we will be too heavy for our 3.73 rear end. The trailer itself weighs 5,400 dry and GVWR at 7,500. The dealer will be installing an "Equalizer" hitch that is rated 1000lbs on the tongue.

Any thoughts? Will we be within our limits? Is anyone else successfully towing this much tongue weight?

big_ole_truck

Quick approach - I would check your payload capacity first. That would be the capacity at empty. Deduct for fuel weight, passenger weight and cargo weight (not carried in the trailer) to arrive at your spare capacity. Compare that spare number against your expected hitch weight.

healthi

Does anyone know what a typical 26 gallon tank of gas weighs? (we don't have access to a scale)

big_ole_truck

Here's a quick approach:
assume 7 gallons/ft^3 (good enough for the calcs)
take 26/7*60 (60= weight of fuel per cubic foot)
answer = 220 lbs

healthi

the Ford dealer just told me that the weight of the truck includes the driver and a full tank of gas. So that tells me that I have about at least another 208 lbs before I overload on the payload. Right?

Good old Bill

Gulp! Where is the wife and kids? 208 lbs is beer weight, right? Sounds like a bigger truck is in order or forget the wife and kids.

big_ole_truck

You may want to refer to your owner's manual. The payload capacity is the truck empty, without driver and without fuel.

v_tach

Also, actually weigh the hitch load. The specifications that the manufacturer provided for my travel trailer were off nearly 100 pounds for the hitch weight.

800 pounds (without propane and batteries) is a pretty hefty unloaded trailer for a half ton truck. Mine's about 700 pounds loaded including the two 20 gallon propane tanks and two 66 pound T-125 golf cart batteries.

grzellmer

OK, lets review the things you need to check in order to tow anything. (I used to tow a 31 ft travel trailer with a 1/2 Suburban.)

1) Towing Capacity. Your truck can tow 11,300 lbs, Trailer has a max weight of 7500 so tow weight is good.
2) Truck GVWR. If memory serves a supercrew can have 1600 lbs of people and load in the truck. If you have 1000 on the hitch that leaves 600 for people & stuff. Should be OK - but you may have to limit the bed load.
3) Trailer Hitch Tongue Weight. There is a max tongue weight that the hitch is rated for. I don't remember the specific number for a 4X2 with a max tow, but you get the idea. This is the weight item that needs to be checked. I don't think an F150 is rated for 1000lbs of tongue weight. Maybe the max tow package offers a bump up. If there is a problem with what you have described this will be it. Be careful as an equalizer hitch does not increase this number. Its purpose in life is to minimize the "V" formed between the truck and the trailer. The equalizer "spreads" the load forward and back from the hitch but does not reduce the stress on it.

Good Luck

Gary

rjacobs

You are interested in the tongue weight of the trailer as well as what tongue weight your hitch will handle. Typically tongue weight limit for a given hitch setup is 10% the max allowable trailer weight. You have the max tow package and 11,300 of max trailer weight so your max tonque weight is around 1100 lbs. These trucks have a class 4 hitch which is typically rated from 1000-1200 lbs max tongue weight. You will be just fine towing your trailer, you wont be exceeding anything.