GallopingGrape

I have a 2009 Ford F150 Lariat. I'm new to hauling larger loads so the numbers and acronyms are confusing. The sticker on the inside of my door reads GVWR 7200 but I cannot find GCWR or tow capacity. I have a 20' bumper pull weighs 5,300 lbs empty. When my horse and gear are included, the total weight is approx 6500. Also are sway bars and weight distribution bars necessary? I felt that my truck really struggled on hills and I really had to hit that gas to get it to maintain speed, is that normal?
Thank you.

5.0GN tow

What engine and gear set do you have? Also I would bet the trailer weighs more than you think. I also tow a horse trailer. It's quoted at 4550 dry and is actually just under 6 with no horses aboard but with all our tack.

acadianbob

You should probably spend some time looking at your cargo capacity. That is generally the limiting factor. It is on a yellow sticker on the driver door jamb. That cargo capacity has to cover your trailer tongue weight and anything (besides you) that is in or on the truck.

GallopingGrape

Its has a Triton 5.4L 3V, Im not sure where to check the gear type. I have two stickers on the door...One has GVWR 7200lb, the other sticker says "TIRE LOADING INFORMATION" Combined weight of occupants and cargo should never exceed 1353lbs. I weight my truck with a full tank of gas, spare tire and myself at 6,140 lbs. I'm going to hitch up the trailer, with the horse in it and weigh it tomorrow to see if its truly 5300lbs. So the only other info I'm missing to determine if my truck can properly pull this trailer is the tongue weight, correct?

acadianbob

Yes, that is the correct information. So, your load capacity is 1,350 pounds. That will have to cover your trailer tongue weight, and anything that you have loaded in the truck besides you and a tank of gas. So, wife, kids, dog, tools, generator, cooler, etc; anything in the truck. The sum of those weights should not exceed your 1,350 pound limit.

But that is the theoretical limit. You may have added accessories to your truck? Step bars?

If your truck weighs 6,140 and your GVW is 7,200, you only have 1,060 of payload capacity.

If your trailer is 6,500 loaded and your tongue weight is 15% (typical), you have a tongue weight nearing 1,000 lbs and you are already at your actual payload capacity maximum.

atwowheelguy

I traded my '01 5.4 for a '13 3.5 Ecoboost. It was like going from night to day.

GCVWR (Gross Combined Vehicle Weight Rating) varies with your model year, cab style, wheelbase, engine and rear axle ratio. Find the towing data for your model year at the link below. Go to the page labeled "Trailer Towing Selector". Find your vehicle's GCVWR.

http://www.fleet.ford.com/towing-guides/

Then,
GCVWR - truck weight = maximum weight of trailer.

But again, most F150s will run out of PAYLOAD first. Mine has a PAYLOAD of 1607 lbs. and I am towing a 6700 lb. loaded camper. My rig is at 84% of GCVWR, but it is at 99% of rear GAWR (rear gross axle weight rating).









The hitch has a limit, too.

KR Kodi

iTrader: (1)

YES!!! As has been mentioned, your payload capacity will probably limit you. However, with a tongue weight as much as you may have, you may also be up near your hitch rating limit. Get down on the ground underneath your rear bumper and look up at your hitch. You'll see a sticker on there with the rating of the hitch.


With a standard tow package you should see that without a WDH (Weight distributing Hitch) you'll be limited to a max trailer weight/tongue weight of 5000/500. With a WDH it probably says 10500/1050.


So...you'll definitely want a WDH. If truck's hitch receiver has that 1050 lb tongue weight limit, and your WDH hitch head weighs maybe 75 lbs, that would leave you a max of 975 lbs for the tongue weight of your loaded trailer - IF your payload capacity, rear axle weight limit, what you're carrying in the truck, etc., will allow that much tongue weight.


Soooo many restricting weight limits to try to stay under!!


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