bwkitty

We want to get an RV but are not understanding how much weight we can tow with our 2011 F150 3.7 V6 flex fuel. GVWR is 6700 - is this the max we can tow including supplies and ourselves plus the RV ???

wherr19

GVWR stands for the max the truck can carry. There are several factors that dictate how much you can tow I.E. Wheelbase 2wd or 4wd and rear axle ratio. According to the manual the weight range of the truck is 5500 to 6000 lbs.

smokeywren

No. GVWR tells you max weight that can be on the two truck axles. People and stuff in the pickup, plus trailer hitch, plus tongue weight of the trailer.

To know for sure how much trailer you can tow without being overloaded, load the F-150 with all the people, pets, and stuff that will be in it when towing. Include tools, jacks, campfire wood, etc. that will probably be in the truck when towing. Drive to a truck stop that has a certified automated truck (CAT) scale. Fill up with gas, then weigh the wet and loaded F-150.

Subtract the weight of the F-150 from the GVWR of the F-150 to get the max hitch weight you can haul without being overloaded. Divide that max hitch weight by 0.125 to see the max trailer weight of an average TT you can tow without being overloaded.

That's half your answer. The other half is to subtract the weight of the F-150 from the GCWR of the F-150 to determine your actual tow rating.

Then the answer to your question is the lesser of the weights determined above using GVWR and GCWR of your F-150. For most F-150s, the hitch weight (GVWR) will be your limiter. But with your V-6 engine, the gross trailer weight (GCWR) might be your limiter.

The GVWR of your F-150 is on the sticker on the driver's door jamb. The GCWR is in your Owner's Guide.

If you overload the payload capacity (based on GVWR) of your F-150, the downside could be busted suspension or blown out tires. If you overload the towing capacity (based on GCWR) of your F-150, the downside could be an overheated drivetrain resulting in a burned up tranny or engine or dfferential, or being the slowpoke holding up traffic when climbing hills and mountain passes - or both. Ford says you should never exceed either the GVWR or GCWR of your F-150.