Owners manual says I can't tow a TT or Fifth wheel
10-14-2012, 10:23 AM
#1
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Owners manual says I can't tow a TT or Fifth wheel
This is something I noticed the first week I had my truck while thumbing through the manual and decided to ignore it. Fine print at the end of the tow rating section dictates a max trailer frontal area of 60 sq ft. Went out and measured my travel trailer cab and it's 8'x8', not including the frame sticking down below or the A/C unit. That's 64 sq ft.
My guess is that most modern tt and fifth wheels are over, even if they meet all the other weight requirements. Anybody else notice this? Thoughts?
My guess is that most modern tt and fifth wheels are over, even if they meet all the other weight requirements. Anybody else notice this? Thoughts?
Last edited by Buck50HD; 10-14-2012 at 10:58 AM.
10-14-2012, 05:47 PM
#5
Grumpy Old Man
Frontal area is the size of the hole you have to punch in the air to drag the trailer through the air. Basically on a TT, it's the measurement of the front of the TT in sq ft.
If you exceed the frontal area limits, that just means that your aerodynamic drag will be high enough that you cannot tow at the GCWR at normal highway speeds without overheating your drivetrain. Yeah, as SkiSmuggs suggested, just ignore that limit, but don't be surprised if your truck is reluctant to drag that trailer at 75 MPH without fussing at you.
My 7x14 cargo trailer box has frontal area of 56 sq ft, plus the wheelwells stick out on the sides, and it drags a bunch of air. I usually tow at 62 MPH, and my F-150 tells me that's all it neees to be pulling through the air.
If you exceed the frontal area limits, that just means that your aerodynamic drag will be high enough that you cannot tow at the GCWR at normal highway speeds without overheating your drivetrain. Yeah, as SkiSmuggs suggested, just ignore that limit, but don't be surprised if your truck is reluctant to drag that trailer at 75 MPH without fussing at you.
My 7x14 cargo trailer box has frontal area of 56 sq ft, plus the wheelwells stick out on the sides, and it drags a bunch of air. I usually tow at 62 MPH, and my F-150 tells me that's all it neees to be pulling through the air.
10-14-2012, 06:14 PM
#6
ColdWar Vet-USN Shellback
Frontal area is the size of the hole you have to punch in the air to drag the trailer through the air. Basically on a TT, it's the measurement of the front of the TT in sq ft.
If you exceed the frontal area limits, that just means that your aerodynamic drag will be high enough that you cannot tow at the GCWR at normal highway speeds without overheating your drivetrain. Yeah, as SkiSmuggs suggested, just ignore that limit, but don't be surprised if your truck is reluctant to drag that trailer at 75 MPH without fussing at you.
My 7x14 cargo trailer box has frontal area of 56 sq ft, plus the wheelwells stick out on the sides, and it drags a bunch of air. I usually tow at 62 MPH, and my F-150 tells me that's all it neees to be pulling through the air.
If you exceed the frontal area limits, that just means that your aerodynamic drag will be high enough that you cannot tow at the GCWR at normal highway speeds without overheating your drivetrain. Yeah, as SkiSmuggs suggested, just ignore that limit, but don't be surprised if your truck is reluctant to drag that trailer at 75 MPH without fussing at you.
My 7x14 cargo trailer box has frontal area of 56 sq ft, plus the wheelwells stick out on the sides, and it drags a bunch of air. I usually tow at 62 MPH, and my F-150 tells me that's all it neees to be pulling through the air.
From Fords glossary
Frontal Area
- Frontal area of a vehicle can be a contributing factor when determining the size of trailer a vehicle can tow
- Larger frontal area will add drag, thus reducing the vehicle’s ability to tow a trailer
- For many vehicles, frontal area restrictions limit a trailer’s size to a specific Gross Combined Weight Rating (GCWR)
- The frontal area is also a determining factor in selecting an incomplete vehicle that complies with emissions requirements
E-Series 60 sq. ft. All applications
F-150 Base Vehicle Frontal Area
Without Class III Trailer Tow Group or 7700 Payload Group A or B 60 sq. ft.
With Class III Trailer Tow Group or 7700 Payload Group A or B 60 sq. ft.
Super Duty F-Series 60 sq. ft. All applications except F-550 Crew Cab 4x2 with High Capacity Trailer Tow Pkg. 90 sq. ft.
Just remember too that trailer tires are only rated at 65 MPH.
10-14-2012, 06:37 PM
#7
Senior Member
Thread Starter
No confusion here about the definition of frontal area. And I know the truck can handle it just fine. I can start at 50-55mph to pass and hit 70 by the time I'm even with the car I'm passing. Feels like it would tow it at 90 if I wanted, but always 62 or less (except passing) I plan on pushing the limits of GCVWR when I get my 5th and put a small boat behind it. Just wondering if the frontal area disclaimer would be taken into consideration in the event of any warranty work.
Either way, not concerned about the truck handling it. I know I would have to load it up to 11,100 to make it feel like my 08 GMC did at 7500lb with the 5.3 and squishy suspension.
Either way, not concerned about the truck handling it. I know I would have to load it up to 11,100 to make it feel like my 08 GMC did at 7500lb with the 5.3 and squishy suspension.
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10-15-2012, 10:42 AM
#8
10-15-2012, 11:20 AM
#10
Grumpy Old Man
These guys must be real men (that is to say, they don't read the owner's manual). 
https://www.f150forum.com/f82/5th-wh...g-pics-175693/
https://www.f150forum.com/f82/5th-wh...g-pics-175693/
