Trailer Shopping
05-23-2016, 10:59 PM
#1
Trailer Shopping
So I recently purchased my first F150 (2015 XL screw, 3.5L eco 3.31 rear FX4, sport, and trailer tow package) with plans/dreams of RV vacations and a daily use vehicle. There seems to be a LOT of info about what these trucks can or can't do. I have read up quite a bit on how to determine how much your truck can safely tow (staying under all the manufactures limits). That being said I am just looking for some conformation that I have the right line of though and I'm doing the right calculations to make sure I do not overload my truck since I am a novice camper. If I have the wrong idea please say something. The six points below are the major things I think I need to be concerned with.
1) It seems to me that the limiting factor for most trucks especially the supercrews is the payload
2) my tow package did not come with TBC so I will need one. What else will i need
3) The absolute best way to this is to weigh your truck and trailer loaded down
4) since I do not have a trailer yet I cannot do 3
5) Will the 3.31 gears handle this load decently
6) Do these trucks being so light have issues pulling 27 ft TTs because of trailer sway I really do not want to be in over my head seems like an awful lot of trailer for a 1/2 ton.
So lets do some ball-park math my truck's max trailer weight 10700#s GVWR is 7000#, payload is 1873# and GAWR is 3800#. From my understanding 1873 is my limiting issue. Lets assume a trailer GVWR of 7550#s with a 13% tongue weight. The website with a tailer that meets my family wishes says dry trailer weight 4180 and a load capacity of 2820 don't think I will load it up to near that but to be safe I will use the max since I have no idea of real weight would be.
Passengers=about 400#s (wife, baby, and me with some extra for bags and gadgets)
WDH= about 100#
Tongue weight= 13% x 7550= 982#s
20% error margin/extra room for couple friends or future little ones=375#s
total=1852#
1873>1852 under payload and if I am at the max payload 7000-982+7750= 13568# well under the GCWR rating of 17700
So... in theory I should be able to tow this safely or is there something I am not taking into account for the imaginary camper
Sorry for the long post but I would like to make sure I know what I am talking about before talking to a push sales rep
1) It seems to me that the limiting factor for most trucks especially the supercrews is the payload
2) my tow package did not come with TBC so I will need one. What else will i need
3) The absolute best way to this is to weigh your truck and trailer loaded down
4) since I do not have a trailer yet I cannot do 3
5) Will the 3.31 gears handle this load decently
6) Do these trucks being so light have issues pulling 27 ft TTs because of trailer sway I really do not want to be in over my head seems like an awful lot of trailer for a 1/2 ton.
So lets do some ball-park math my truck's max trailer weight 10700#s GVWR is 7000#, payload is 1873# and GAWR is 3800#. From my understanding 1873 is my limiting issue. Lets assume a trailer GVWR of 7550#s with a 13% tongue weight. The website with a tailer that meets my family wishes says dry trailer weight 4180 and a load capacity of 2820 don't think I will load it up to near that but to be safe I will use the max since I have no idea of real weight would be.
Passengers=about 400#s (wife, baby, and me with some extra for bags and gadgets)
WDH= about 100#
Tongue weight= 13% x 7550= 982#s
20% error margin/extra room for couple friends or future little ones=375#s
total=1852#
1873>1852 under payload and if I am at the max payload 7000-982+7750= 13568# well under the GCWR rating of 17700
So... in theory I should be able to tow this safely or is there something I am not taking into account for the imaginary camper
Sorry for the long post but I would like to make sure I know what I am talking about before talking to a push sales rep
Last edited by ChrisNavy; 05-23-2016 at 11:01 PM.
05-24-2016, 05:08 PM
#2
Senior Member
Your calculations and thinking seem right on. Very nice payload, one of the highest I have seen!
05-25-2016, 03:29 PM
#3
I have a 2012 F150, EB, 3.31 and tow a 29.5' (34' overall) travel trailer.
1. Payload is your limiting factor.
2.Spring for the Ford integrated Brake Controller. It is awesome.
3 & 4 - You know the answers.
5. My trailer is about 7200# - 7300# loaded. My EB + 3.31 handle it great.
6. If your hitch set up is right, you will be not have any issues pulling. I have a regular WDH with separate sway bar. In normal conditions, it is fine. You get a little draw when large trucks pass you and in crosswinds. I recently added a second sway bar and hardly have any sway under any conditions.
1. Payload is your limiting factor.
2.Spring for the Ford integrated Brake Controller. It is awesome.
3 & 4 - You know the answers.
5. My trailer is about 7200# - 7300# loaded. My EB + 3.31 handle it great.
6. If your hitch set up is right, you will be not have any issues pulling. I have a regular WDH with separate sway bar. In normal conditions, it is fine. You get a little draw when large trucks pass you and in crosswinds. I recently added a second sway bar and hardly have any sway under any conditions.
05-25-2016, 04:13 PM
#4
Senior Member
Why are you assuming a gross trailer weight of 7,550?
If the trailer that you're looking at has a dry weight of 4,180lbs with a load capacity of 2,820 (you sure about this... it seems awful high) this results in a gross weight of 7,000lbs. To be conservative use this figure. Although in reality you'll likely never load it anywhere close to that. I'd be surprised if you max out at 6,000lbs.
I would not hesitate towing that weight.
If the trailer that you're looking at has a dry weight of 4,180lbs with a load capacity of 2,820 (you sure about this... it seems awful high) this results in a gross weight of 7,000lbs. To be conservative use this figure. Although in reality you'll likely never load it anywhere close to that. I'd be surprised if you max out at 6,000lbs.
I would not hesitate towing that weight.
05-25-2016, 05:48 PM
#5
The payload is high probably due to having as stripped down of super crew as I could find with a 4x4 and 3.5L Eco (does have the sport package so doesn't look like a fleet truck and it has a console)
I used the 7550# rating cause that is what the website listed for the trailer's GVWR. I also have a hunch that the 4180# dry trailer rating is not taking into account any of the upgrades available for the trailer. The manufacturer may be shaving a few pounds off just for the weigh in.
I used the 7550# rating cause that is what the website listed for the trailer's GVWR. I also have a hunch that the 4180# dry trailer rating is not taking into account any of the upgrades available for the trailer. The manufacturer may be shaving a few pounds off just for the weigh in.
05-25-2016, 06:11 PM
#6
Senior Member
...
I used the 7550# rating cause that is what the website listed for the trailer's GVWR. I also have a hunch that the 4180# dry trailer rating is not taking into account any of the upgrades available for the trailer. The manufacturer may be shaving a few pounds off just for the weigh in.
I used the 7550# rating cause that is what the website listed for the trailer's GVWR. I also have a hunch that the 4180# dry trailer rating is not taking into account any of the upgrades available for the trailer. The manufacturer may be shaving a few pounds off just for the weigh in.
Yes, you're right. The dry weight does not take into account things like the battery, propane tanks, awning, etc.
Still, I can't imagine ever coming close to the trailer GVWR. Remember, this also assumes full water tanks, which you'll likely never tow with.
