PHX 150

Hi all,
I thought I'd add a little levity to the thread title, but actually, I have some important questions.

I have a trip planned to haul my worldly posessions from Phoenix, AZ to Charleston, SC - some 2000+ miles. I have an 8 X 20 enclosed tandem axle trailer rated at 7000 lbs. It has electric brakes, and I just went through it with new bearings, brakes, axle seals, etc. The trailer itself weighs right at 2800 lbs., so I figure it can hold 4000 lbs. of stuff.

I'll be pulling it with a 2013 Screw 4 X 4 EB 145" WB, w/ 3.55 axle ratio.
Going on Ford's website for towing capacities, the columns that match my truck show "3.55/3.73" as the rear end ratio, and doesn't differentiate between the two, as it does for other axle ratios.

It also shows that I have a max GCWR of 15,500 lbs. and in the right hand column a weight of 9,600, which I'm assuming is the max weight of the truck and contents, including my hitch weight.
Can someone clarify these things for me?
thanks in advance
Chris

venatic

Just moved my MIL from Payson, AZ to St. Louis, MO. Except I wasn't driving my truck.

I'll let the experts weigh in on the trailer and such, but I will tell you that those cross winds from New Mexico to Oklahoma are a bitch. Be careful going through there.

EcoboostKev

The 9600lbs is probably your max tow rating.. Your truck has either 7200 or 7350lb GVWR. If your plan is to load up the trailer plus load up the inside and bed of the truck you might be pushing it??? If you can get most of the weight on the trailer you should be fine... It's a one time thing just take it slow....

PHX 150

Thanks for the replies.

Ford's page, on the left hand side, clearly states the GCWR as 15,500 lbs., if I'm reading the chart correctly.
That s what is puzzling, as the RH columns have a value of 9,600, but there is not a column header saying what this value is.
My door label says I can haul a little over 1,000 lbs. of additional gear (passengers, etc.) in the truck.
I don't think the 9600 value is GCWR, as this would mean you could only tow 5 or 6k lbs. total. If that's the case, I can pull my nearly empty trailer, and that's it.
Maybe it's the heat the last few days here....

mbopp

Ah, yes - the EB with Standard tow package has the same ratings whether it's a 3.55 or 3.73 axle. I asked Ford what gave the Max tow package a better rating & Ford says the Max tow gets a bigger radiator.

Edit - but if you don't have any tow package the max trailer weight is 5,000# IIRR.

PHX 150

I went back to Ford's site and the 9,600 lb. value is the max loaded trailer weight.
It was in really large, bold letters, so I missed it

I think I'm good with my 7000k lb. trailer, as long as I don't overload it.

My WD hitch is a 1,000/10,000, so I think I'm ok there, too.
My only other thing I'm wondering about is if I should get air bags.....

SkiSmuggs

I wouldn't bother with air bags. If you want beef up the rear end a little, SuperSprings are an easy install.

acadianbob

Neither super springs or air bags do anything to increase your tow capacity or payload capacity.

In most towing situations, payload capacity is your limiting factor. Tongue weight, stuff in the bed, family, dog, accessories, all come out of your payload. That's what you need to watch the closest.

Happy towing.

PHX 150

Taking your advice about payload, I asked the wife how much she weighs.
I'm on the sofa tonight - thanks....

Bags and springs don't change the #'s, but it gives you the flexibility to change the attitude of the truck. I'm not convinced I need either, but I only have one shot once the trailer is loaded.
Loading the trailer correctly will be the key, and we'll go light there and in the truck.

tomb1269

Absolutely correct, and your WDH should set the "attitude" correctly when installed correct. If your not sure check with someone local before you leave/load up and theycan help you get set. And as this is a 1x thing why spend money you do not have too.
This is key load the trailer correctly 60/40 split front to back for the trailer. Also remember every lbs in the truck is 100% payload. Every Lbs in the trailer is only a 10 to 15% lb of payload. So leave the truck empty and load, load, load the trailer.
FYI, an interesting truck the commercial movers do is they use plywood and straps to tier the trailer off. For example, if you load the bed room furniture and it does not make a level space and you want to top load the mattress but keep it off the furniture use plywood to make a teir to hold it up of the furniture.
One last note: if you load the trailer to its max of 7000lbs it will transfer 10 to 15% of that to the truck when loaded properly, so therefore you will be adding 700 to 1050lbs to the trcuk already. Do not try and lighten the tongue by tail loading or it will be 2000miles of hell with the trailer wagging behind you all the way. Keep it at 60/40.
Your Truck's ratings
Step bumber only (no receiver hitch installed): 5000lbs / 500lb (trailer/tongue)
Standard Towpackage: 9600lbs w/ WDH
GCWR: 15,500 lbs
Standard Payload: 1520 lbs (limited model: 1300lb)
Trucks GVWR: 7200

http://www.ford.com/resources/ford/g...wing_Guide.pdf
http://www.ford.com/trucks/f150/specifications/payload/