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Math is wrong, need to subtract 100, but yes, a WDH more than doubles the capacity.
No worries! I have an open mind. Just wanting to see definitively where it actually says you can tow/haul safely at more than double the initial rated capacity.
No worries! I have an open mind. Just wanting to see definitively where it actually says you can tow/haul safely at more than double the initial rated capacity.
Look on your hitch. What more verification do you need? Now, having a hitch rated for 11k doesn't mean the truck is rated to tow that much.
Same problem towing my daughter and son in laws boat. Weighs close to 9K pounds with 300 gallons of fuel. If I pulled it on a regular basis I would go with some air bags to level when needed. The surge brakes are a PITA but we back it in in sal****er all the time. No problem towing with son in laws F-250 that we usually use.
Wow! I have been reading so much on towing, that my eyes are burning. I have learned a lot and had no idea how complicated this subject is. Unfortunately, I did not do this research before my recent boat purchase.
The dealer told me when I bought my truck 3 months ago "It can tow up to 9100 lbs." Now I see the BS in that statement.
I have a 2016 Screw XLT 5.0, with the Trailer Tow Package and 3.31 electronic locking axle. It has a dealer installed level kit as well.
I live in Miami and drove up to Jacksonville this weekend to purchase my new boat. Once I got there, I ended up getting an even better deal on a larger demo boat. It took me 5 hours to get there, and almost 10 hours to get home. Other than the rear sag, the truck handled the trip well. I was not 100% confident in my towing setup and weight so I took it very, very slow and pulled over every 100 miles to check. I also drove late at night to make sure if something did go wrong, I did not have a bunch of travelers around me.
Now that I am home and started reading more on this great forum, I know I need to get my GCWR for both the truck and trailer, as well as my tongue weight.
Honestly, I don't even want to hook up now to take it to the scale until I feel more confident. I feel pretty irresponsible for making that long trip now, and I am lucky nothing went wrong. I am coming here for advice, not judgment.
I know this was stupid, and my wife is giving me an earful for trading in my 2015 F250 for the F150 (another story).
So using the data I could get regarding the boat and trailer:
Trailer = 1403 lbs.
Boat = 4700 lbs.
160 gallons of fuel = 1040 lbs.
misc gear = 500 lbs.
TOTAL GVW = ~7643 lbs
Calculated Tongue (5% of GVW) = ~382*
*I am pretty sure that my tongue weight was much higher as you can see it the picture below. I ordered a Trailer Tongue Weight Scale today to verify.
After reading on here, I crawled under my truck and found the sticker for the factory hitch which is 5000/500. I think what saved me on the trip home was that the boat had no fuel, but I was still over 5000.
So I wanted to come on here and ask for recommendations on how to safely tow my load 5 miles round trip to the boat ramp (better hitch, airbags, gear change, etc.). The boat ramp I use is well maintained, and in all of the years I had my previous 4x4, I never needed it.
So you're saying that the WDH would increase your towing/hauling capacity by 222% for tongue weight and 220% for maximum towing weight. Axles, gear ratios, hitch size, tires not withstanding. Please show some documentation from Ford which says that is okay. Please show ANY documentation which says that would even be safe. I'm skeptical but am open to reviewing any evidence/documentation you may have on the subject. BTW, I'm not interested in what the maximum loads are for a WDH. I'm interested in what the truck can safely tow or haul. Just because a Prius and tow a fully loaded 5 X 8 UHaul trailer (I've seen it...) doesn't mean that it's safe to do so.
Originally Posted by HacksawMark
No worries! I have an open mind. Just wanting to see definitively where it actually says you can tow/haul safely at more than double the initial rated capacity.
Somewhat boggles my mind that you are offering towing advice without knowing this but....since you demanded proof rather than going to look at your own truck, here you go.
The hitch limits, as posted by Ford Motor Company for my particular OEM hitch. When combined with the towing limits of YOUR particular truck (selected options will dictate a limit lower than that of the hitch), generally indicate you can "safely" tow up to a limit of 9k to 11k pounds.
No worries! I have an open mind. Just wanting to see definitively where it actually says you can tow/haul safely at more than double the initial rated capacity.
Originally Posted by jp360cj
Look on your hitch. What more verification do you need? Now, having a hitch rated for 11k doesn't mean the truck is rated to tow that much.
Somewhat boggles my mind that you are offering towing advice without knowing this but....since you demanded proof rather than going to look at your own truck, here you go.
The hitch limits, as posted by Ford Motor Company for my particular OEM hitch. When combined with the towing limits of YOUR particular truck (selected options will dictate a limit lower than that of the hitch), generally indicate you can "safely" tow up to a limit of 9k to 11k pounds.
Somewhat boggles my mind that you think I'm offering specific advice which I haven't ...... yet. Just trying to understand why some may think it's okay to tow 11,000 pounds (just because the hitch label says it can), when in reality, that may not be the case. For example; for my truck and the equipment I have, the gross GCWR (according to my 2016 owners manual, page 270) is 12,500 pounds. Which means if you subtract the 5,250 pounds that my truck weighs with myself and 3/4 tank of gas, I can safely tow up to a maximum of 7,250 pounds. The owners manual does not differentiate between using an OEM hitch and a WDH. Of course, in this example, I would definitely use a WDH.
Am I incorrect in my thinking here?
Last edited by HacksawMark; 09-23-2016 at 08:53 PM.
Somewhat boggles my mind that you think I'm offering specific advice which I haven't ...... yet. Just trying to understand why some may think it's okay to tow 11,000 pounds (just because the hitch label says it can), when in reality, that may not be the case. For example; for my truck and the equipment I have, the gross GCWR (according to my 2016 owners manual, page 270) is 12,500 pounds. Which mean if you subtract the 5,250 pounds that my truck weighs with myself and 3/4 tank of gas, I can safely tow up to a maximum of 7,250 pounds. The owners manual does not differentiate between using an OEM hitch and a WDH. Of course, in this example, I would definitely use a WDH.
Am I incorrect in my thinking here?
You have to look at Payload also. Probably even lower. Boats have less tongue weight.
Somewhat boggles my mind that you think I'm offering specific advice which I haven't ...... yet. Just trying to understand why some may think it's okay to tow 11,000 pounds (just because the hitch label says it can), when in reality, that may not be the case. For example; for my truck and the equipment I have, the gross GCWR (according to my 2016 owners manual, page 270) is 12,500 pounds. Which means if you subtract the 5,250 pounds that my truck weighs with myself and 3/4 tank of gas, I can safely tow up to a maximum of 7,250 pounds. The owners manual does not differentiate between using an OEM hitch and a WDH. Of course, in this example, I would definitely use a WDH.
Am I incorrect in my thinking here?
It sounded to me (and apparently a few others) that you were saying the truck couldn't pull more than 5000 lb or 500 lb tongue weight because that's all the hitch is rated for. If this is not what you meant, I apologize.
I don't think anyone was saying that the truck would pull 11k just because the hitch was rated for.
The WDH is using the OEM hitch, just adds another component to it. I think my 2012 owners manual does state that a WDH is needed over 5k lb trailer or 500 lb tongue. If it doesn't, the towing guide does.
It sounded to me (and apparently a few others) that you were saying the truck couldn't pull more than 5000 lb or 500 lb tongue weight because that's all the hitch is rated for. If this is not what you meant, I apologize.
I don't think anyone was saying that the truck would pull 11k just because the hitch was rated for.
The WDH is using the OEM hitch, just adds another component to it. I think my 2012 owners manual does state that a WDH is needed over 5k lb trailer or 500 lb tongue. If it doesn't, the towing guide does.
No worries! Just trying to understand and make sure we're all on the same page. Besides, I don't offend easily.
09-22-2016, 07:42 PM
