157XLT

I keep hearing that F-150's are usually limited by GVWR when determining the towing capacity. Since GVWR is just curb weight plus payload, I decided to make a graph of payload vs towing capacity with lines that represent the factory tow rating, the GCWR, and the GVWR limits.

My truck has a GCWR of 16100 lbs, a GVWR of 7050 lbs, a maximum payload of 1801 lbs, and is rated for a trailer up to 10600 lbs by the Ford Towing Guide. Here is the graph:




For any given payload, the towing capacity is limited by the lowest line. As you can see, from a payload of 0 to about 250 lbs, the rated towing capacity is the lowest line. From about 250 to 800 lbs of payload, the GCWR line is the lowest. And from about 800 lbs up to the maximum payload of 1801 lbs, the GVWR line is the lowest. I conclude that most of the time, my payload (which includes people) will be in the range where GVWR is the limiting factor.

For the above graph, I assumed that 10% of the trailer weight is on the hitch. I also wanted to see what kind of difference the hitch % makes. The hitch % only affects the GVWR lines. I made another graph with 6 different GVWR lines that represent hitch weights from 10% to 15%.




As expected, they all go to 0 when max payload is reached but the lower the hitch % is, the higher the left side of the line is.

Hope this has been informative.

wolfpack219

You have almost the exact same set up as me. I wouldn't feel comfortable towing more then an 8,000 lb trailer anyhow with an f150 so it really sits in a perfect spot. WDH is a great thing also for these trucks. If your planning on towing upwards of 10k + lbs the super duty is the way to go. I've been looking at 5,000 lb travel trailers with about 1500-2000 lb payloads maxed. It falls with in the safe range.

Also people who throw 12,000 lb trailers on their F150, nobody is saying the truck can't do it, but it's really not safe. Your pushing the capability of what the truck was designed to do, and the safety margin engineered into its design.

mark waller

I agree. My payload is 1789 so almost the same as the OP. I'm looking at a new TT and looking at 7700 as the top weight loaded. Even there you are at 1000 lb. tongue weight. Get the best WDH hitch you can. Recently upgraded to a Blue Ox and set up is easy and it tows great! When I get the new trailer all I do is get larger bars for the heavier tongue weight.

11screw50

Great chart...if your payload is near the 1800lb assumed (mine is at 1818).

The reason people say F150's are payload limited is because previous generations had a much lower payload (in general...except those with HDPP or max tow). And these same people completely ignore what year/engine the truck is when they give advice, instead assuming that payload is always as low as previous gen trucks were. A 2015+ with the NA 3.5 or the 2.7EB (without the payload package) have similar payload to the previous gen trucks...but 5.0 and 3.5EB have significantly better payload than a similarly equipped 2011-2014 truck.

So my 2011 301a 4x4 XLT SCrew had a payload of 1405, my 2015 302a 4x4 XLT SCrew has a payload more than 400lb higher while having more options. In fact, looking at the spreadsheet in the 'Post your Payload' thread, not a single 5.0 or 3.5EB has a payload within 50lb of my modestly equipped 2011.

mass-hole

So are you assuming your truck weight is GVWR - Payload(7050-1801-5249lbs) for the GCWR line?

mass-hole

Right, ive noticed that the 15+ trucks are basically all Max tow trucks, even if they dont have max tow as an option. You can see that in the numbers. The old max tow trucks were 7700 lb GVWR and all the new trucks are 7000/7050 but weight 6-700 lbs less, so they should be about the same.

That said, my truck with Max Tow only has a 1539 lb payload because its a pretty much fully loaded Lariat down to the factory bedliner and wheel well liners. 157" kills it. I looked at a VERY similar truck to mine, just with a 5.5' bed and it was nearly 1900 lbs of payload.

157XLT

That is correct. I assumed a curb weight of 5249 lbs.

11screw50

Yeah, payloads are definitely much higher with the current gen trucks (something I've been trying to get Smokeywren and Ricktwuk to understand when they keep posting that payload is the limiting factor...it isn't always anymore, GCWR needs to be looked at as well.)

mass-hole

right if you are at 1800-1900 lbs or payload, you can max your tongue weight and still have a decent amount left over.

msgtord

Make sure you weigh. My truck with a 6800 pound gvwr and payload of 1745 weighed 5140 pounds at the Cat scale. It has a roll up tonneau cover, fire extinguishers and small items in the door pockets.

I have a tool box with emergency supplies, floor jack, impact wrench, etc. It's heavy. I had taken it out as I was helping a family member move.

My previous truck was a F250 with a 2900 pound payload. I never concerned myself with tongue weight.

Now I'm back to working the numbers before I buy a new trailer. Hopefully I can find something light enough that's bigger than a pop up!