RobGrover

iTrader: (1)

Also, with a correct hitch, any weight loaded behind the trailers wheels will effectively take weight off the tongue. Our old fifth wheel had the water tank on the very back end and was low down on the floor. When I filled it full the truck always sat higher.

KR Kodi

iTrader: (1)

The payload capacity on the sticker is with the truck full of fuel, so a full tank of gas doesn't reduce the payload capacity at all. As a matter of fact, if you only run 1/2 tank of gas you'd pick up about 100# of load hauling capacity.

Boulevard

Numbers mean close to nothing.....I can put 1000 pounds in the box, and distribute all of that weight amongst 4 wheels and be stable, I can put 1000 pounds on the hitch and put all of that weight on 2 wheels and be unstable. Weight means nothing until you put it somewhere and that is what the weight distributing hitch does. It moves the hitch weight forward into the truck and rear ward into the trailer allowing you to unload the rear axle and carry/pull more weight. So how much weight gets moved forward and rearward? Easy rule of thumb. If, when hooked and loaded, the truck sits level, than everything is ok. It's that easy. There is 100% NO WAY that the axles on your vehicle are overloaded if the truck is sitting level. Look at it this way. If the springs on the truck are holding the vehicle at normal ride height than how much load is on them....none. If there is isn't weight on the springs than how much weight is on the rear axle.....none. A level vehicle means that the load on the rear springs is well within spec and that means that the load on the rear axle is well within spec. The only caveat is the load distributing hitch. If your hitch is designed to distribute 1500 pounds and you crank it up than you can easily surpass the tow rating of the truck and still make the truck sit level. If you are asking me if your truck tow that trailer safely than I say ....in a heartbeat.

brulaz

You are confusing "sitting level" with "normal ride height". Agreed, if the front and rear are at "normal ride height", meaning "unloaded ride height", then there shouldn't be a weight problem.

But you can add lots of weight and level it out with a WDH, and have a serious over-weight problem. You will be "sitting level" but not at a "normal ride height". You will be squatting front and back, and be over-weight.


Also since 2010-2011 manufacturers are longer recommending that you "level" your truck with the WDH. Rather they only say to use the WDH to return the weight lifted from the front end by the trailer. Ford actually says to return only 50% of the weight, but others say up to 100% but not more. The rear end takes care of itself if you return 50-100% of the weight to the front end.

xcntrk

I know.. It's with a 150# driver and full tank of gas. But is that for a full tank to include 26 gal (standard size) or 36 gal (optional size)? This why I throw the mfg payload numbers out the window and hit the CAT scale for real numbers that I will so going down the road on an average camp trip.

smurfs_of_war

Actually its been surfacing that the payload DOESN'T include the 150lbs driver. Just the GCWR. Can anybody clarify? I think it was Buck who brought it up.

brulaz

This what the Ford Sourcebook says about the Max payloads listed in it:
"Load rating represents maximum allowable weight of people, cargo and body equipment and is reduced by optional equipment weight."

So no driver,included, 150# or whatever. Ford does use 150# people to calculate "Cargo Weight Rating" in the trailer tow guide. But that's something totally different from payload.

Have heard elsewhere that only 26 gal of fuel (small tank) is included in the payload calculation.

Agree that the best is to load up your truck as if to go camping, with a full tank, and weigh it. Subtract that from the GVWR and you'll have what's left for the trailer.

CDNfyrfytr

My trailer is almost identical in terms of weights an length. My truck is not over it's weights but I have slightly more than 1700 payload with max tow. I carry around 800lbs worth of "stuff" in the trailer (scale verified) and I do not travel with water or waste water. My truck handles fine with the addition of LT tires. I may add an airbag kit or RAS in the future but that is only to help with the squat and sway. I feel confident going over any government scale in the US and not have any problem.

Grod205

Just want to say thanks again, and that i ran into a snazzy calculator from a website called changing gears. Or changinggears.com. Its pretty loaded with info and i almost immediately started understanding acronyms and definitions to everything. Its pretty well explained in my opinion as you breeze through the sight. I know everyone here is a veteran but for folks like me its perfect.

KR Kodi

iTrader: (1)

Actually, the website you're referencing is Changin' Gears, and the URL is:

www.changingears.com


Just trying to make sure people get to the correct place if they want to access towing info.

Bob