Towing Capacity and vehicle upgrades for towing
08-02-2016, 05:37 AM
#11
It has a lot to do with your expectations. It is vacationing after all, and if you are comfortable driving like a grandpa, accelerating and braking slowly, you should be good to get by until you order your replacement 2018 or 2019 Heavy Duty Payload package pickup truck without swapping out anything or adding anything. However, you have to pack smart, tow with no water in the tanks, don't buy soda pop, groceries, or firewood until you get to your destination, take fewer clothes and plan on Laundromat stops during your trip, furnish the interior with weight in mind, (lightweight aluminum pans, melamine or paper plates and bowls). Use the tow/haul/overdrive off button for towing, and take it easy on those Tennessee grades. Just because the trailer has a max GVWR doesn't mean you have to fill it up and take along everything for every trip.
Or, reconsider on the trailer. I decided on a Rockwood Roo hybrid because with the slide-out and fold-out beds, you have the interior capacity of a 30+ foot camper with a 21 foot footprint, with lighter weight and still have sleeping capacity for eight. (two queen beds, one fold-out sofa bed in full size, and a fold-down table sleeping area for the shorter ones). Order with the heated tanks, heated mattresses, and it comes with vented furnace and AC, so you can use it from March through early December in comfort. http://www.forestriverinc.com/produc...elID=2176#Main
I was able to tow it behind a 4.6 V8 Sport Trac with no modifications until I got the new truck I needed, and pulled it into central Louisiana and up the hills to Fall Creek Falls in Tennessee from Central Illinios.
Or, reconsider on the trailer. I decided on a Rockwood Roo hybrid because with the slide-out and fold-out beds, you have the interior capacity of a 30+ foot camper with a 21 foot footprint, with lighter weight and still have sleeping capacity for eight. (two queen beds, one fold-out sofa bed in full size, and a fold-down table sleeping area for the shorter ones). Order with the heated tanks, heated mattresses, and it comes with vented furnace and AC, so you can use it from March through early December in comfort. http://www.forestriverinc.com/produc...elID=2176#Main
I was able to tow it behind a 4.6 V8 Sport Trac with no modifications until I got the new truck I needed, and pulled it into central Louisiana and up the hills to Fall Creek Falls in Tennessee from Central Illinios.
We have looked at both the flagstaff expandable and the flagstaff microlite (Rockwoods cousin). We liked them both an the wieght is much better. We had some conscerns with the expandable as in heating and cooling, water leakage, and maintenence cost due to tent replacement. How long have you owned yours and how is it holding up?
Love Fall Creek Falls btw!
08-02-2016, 07:37 AM
#12
This is great information and very much on the level of what we are thinking.
We have looked at both the flagstaff expandable and the flagstaff microlite (Rockwoods cousin). We liked them both an the wieght is much better. We had some conscerns with the expandable as in heating and cooling, water leakage, and maintenence cost due to tent replacement. How long have you owned yours and how is it holding up?
Love Fall Creek Falls btw!
We have looked at both the flagstaff expandable and the flagstaff microlite (Rockwoods cousin). We liked them both an the wieght is much better. We had some conscerns with the expandable as in heating and cooling, water leakage, and maintenence cost due to tent replacement. How long have you owned yours and how is it holding up?
Love Fall Creek Falls btw!
With that out of the way running numbers from Forest River on your trailer max towed weight within specs is 7700 pounds or actually just under that but I rounded up. So figure 13% of that you are at 1001, minus 20% For adjustment to rear by Wdh, an add 75 back for weight of the hitch puts you worst case at 876 pounds of pin weight. 1512 payload minus 875 leaves 637 in a worst case situation. Keep the tanks dry, load the trailer to a more reasonable 6800 or so and adjust the load to 10% pin weight and you are now at 619 total pin weight after Wdh offset and hitch weight, this leaves almost 900 pounds of payload left. Pick the middle at 11% and you should still be fine.
I tow weekly at max payload and sometimes over the GCWR. I can do this and be within payload due to my specific trailer and truck set up. The truck pulls over 9k no problems, no overheating, and maintains speed on the highway in WV, KY and TN no problems at all. Lockout 6th and go.
You have the 9.75 axle, just not seven lugs, the 7 lug is slightly and I emphisize slightly heavier duty but the 9.75 six lug is an extremely heavy duty axle anyway. It is on par with the Dana 60, and five lug versions of it on late 90s expedition were rated at 4200lbs with heavier duty 5 lug wheels and springs. I had one I know this is true from my personal expedition. The wheels in your case are the limiter on your Rear GAWR, they are rated at 2025 or 4050 combined.
Properly set up and loaded you will have no problem with your trailer and staying within the payload numbers
Last edited by 5.0GN tow; 08-02-2016 at 10:19 AM.
08-02-2016, 10:40 AM
#13
Senior Member
I think the hitch weight of 678 is low. With the weight of the trailer dry at 5602 and you add 1000 lbs of items (including propane, batteries etc) you are at 6600. 6600 x .13 is 858 tongue weight.
Last edited by mark waller; 08-03-2016 at 06:00 PM. Reason: sp
08-02-2016, 11:01 AM
#14
Just did some further reading again in the Fleet Sourcebook for 2013 and all the non Raptor 9.75s got the same 34 spline axles and axle shaft size. The Raptor got much larger ones, but has reduced capacity due to the suspension set up being biased to travel vs stiffness I would guess. The springs and wheels are the only differences for trucks other than Raptors. The HDPP trucks get an extra leaf and the 7 lug wheels which have a 2400lb wheel rating, the 6 lug wheels are all rated at 2025 each. The springs vary from 3850 package to 4220 to 4800, but even the 4220 rated springs dont get a 4220 rating due to wheel limitations being 4050 combined. The 4800 springs are only offered with the 2400lb rated 7 lug wheels. Interestingly the wheels on the HDPP editions of the 15s/16s are not 2400lb rated but the rear axle still is 4800lb rated, not sure how Ford pulled that off. This fully bears out the fact the the axles actually have a much higher rating than the things hanging off them, as many industry articles have said.
Last edited by 5.0GN tow; 08-02-2016 at 11:07 AM.
08-02-2016, 11:42 AM
#15
Just did some further reading again in the Fleet Sourcebook for 2013 and all the non Raptor 9.75s got the same 34 spline axles and axle shaft size. The Raptor got much larger ones, but has reduced capacity due to the suspension set up being biased to travel vs stiffness I would guess. The springs and wheels are the only differences for trucks other than Raptors. The HDPP trucks get an extra leaf and the 7 lug wheels which have a 2400lb wheel rating, the 6 lug wheels are all rated at 2025 each. The springs vary from 3850 package to 4220 to 4800, but even the 4220 rated springs dont get a 4220 rating due to wheel limitations being 4050 combined. The 4800 springs are only offered with the 2400lb rated 7 lug wheels. Interestingly the wheels on the HDPP editions of the 15s/16s are not 2400lb rated but the rear axle still is 4800lb rated, not sure how Ford pulled that off. This fully bears out the fact the the axles actually have a much higher rating than the things hanging off them, as many industry articles have said.
I know the 3.7L has the option for 4.10 gears. Does anyone know if that option is available for all the axle options? All I know is that my build sheet says that I have the HD axle. However, it also says "less electronic locking differential". But my door sticker shows the axle code = L9. Which is 3.55 with Electronic Locking Differential. Very confused.
08-02-2016, 02:49 PM
#16
[QUOTE=acanania;4869347]So that is some really detailed info. That is on the line that I was looking for. It sounds like I should be able to swap the gears and gain the additional towing capacity with my truck. I will be looking for some Ford dealers in the area who are experienced with modifications.
What I am saying is you really wont need any mods to comfortably do what you are doing wanting to do. As long as you have the tow package and 3.55s you should be fine. I tow heavy a lot, read 500 or more miles a week. My truck with 3.55s has been towing at max or a little over at this point weekly for over two years. No issues at all. If do anything add some air bags or go up to the HDPP springs, it wont change the stickered payload, but it will handle the load better. I really dont think with the 4050 GAWR you will need to, since other than wheels you are at a 4220 spring pack.
What I am saying is you really wont need any mods to comfortably do what you are doing wanting to do. As long as you have the tow package and 3.55s you should be fine. I tow heavy a lot, read 500 or more miles a week. My truck with 3.55s has been towing at max or a little over at this point weekly for over two years. No issues at all. If do anything add some air bags or go up to the HDPP springs, it wont change the stickered payload, but it will handle the load better. I really dont think with the 4050 GAWR you will need to, since other than wheels you are at a 4220 spring pack.
08-02-2016, 08:37 PM
#18
You can add everything under the sun as you want, wont change the base numbers though. Your #1 limiting factor is the rear axle rating. If it is 4050#, that determines the max weight your truck can handle, period. Based on your payload, You may be able to pull something like http://www.dutchmen.com/coleman/. This is what I have and my payload is 1470#. I pull it without going over as long as it is just me and the kids, if I have the wife and mom with, it puts me 400# over. I also have a topper and generator in the bed, which adds 300#.
So based on that you should have no issues with something like the 274 BH. It has a GVWR of 7600#, which if you plan out well you will never hit. The tongue weight with a full fresh tank comes in just around 700#. The trailer sleeps 6-8 people, the rear bunks are 4' x 6' with can fit two kids each easily.
So based on that you should have no issues with something like the 274 BH. It has a GVWR of 7600#, which if you plan out well you will never hit. The tongue weight with a full fresh tank comes in just around 700#. The trailer sleeps 6-8 people, the rear bunks are 4' x 6' with can fit two kids each easily.
08-02-2016, 11:32 PM
#19
You can add everything under the sun as you want, wont change the base numbers though. Your #1 limiting factor is the rear axle rating. If it is 4050#, that determines the max weight your truck can handle, period. Based on your payload, You may be able to pull something like http://www.dutchmen.com/coleman/. This is what I have and my payload is 1470#. I pull it without going over as long as it is just me and the kids, if I have the wife and mom with, it puts me 400# over. I also have a topper and generator in the bed, which adds 300#.
So based on that you should have no issues with something like the 274 BH. It has a GVWR of 7600#, which if you plan out well you will never hit. The tongue weight with a full fresh tank comes in just around 700#. The trailer sleeps 6-8 people, the rear bunks are 4' x 6' with can fit two kids each easily.
So based on that you should have no issues with something like the 274 BH. It has a GVWR of 7600#, which if you plan out well you will never hit. The tongue weight with a full fresh tank comes in just around 700#. The trailer sleeps 6-8 people, the rear bunks are 4' x 6' with can fit two kids each easily.
08-03-2016, 09:11 AM
#20
I think so too based on what mine weighed in at with a lower payload. I also have a 2 horse BP, since the horses are centered on the axles, they really have no effect on pin/tongue weight. Of all the trailers I pulled, my BP 2 horse is the smoothest pulling trailer.