Hi!

I am looking at purchasing a 2018+ 3.5 F150.
I saw on Ford’s towing chart a note that bumper pull capacity was limited at 5,000lbs no matter the towing configuration of the truck- does anyone have any experience with this? Am I understanding correctly that my 7500lb camper would be overweight, even with a tow capacity of 10k?

 

Nope. But payload can be an issue.

 

Which tow package does your truck have?

What is your truck's payload rating?

Without seeing any of the long-ish list of relevant information, there's a good chance your 7500 lb travel trailer will put your truck over payload. Time to hit the towing section up and read up on payload and tongue weight and hit the scales and see where you stand

 

I believe the 5k limit is only if your pulling with the ball mounted on the bumper... A class 4 hitch gets you much higher. If the tongue weight of your trailer is over 500lbs Ford requires a WDH.

 

Yes the bumper is only rated at 5,000 lb.

It you have any of the available tow packages why would you not use the receiver? I don't know anyone with a receiver that ever pulls with the bumper.

 

Should you have a receiver hitch there is a sticker affixed to it with the maximum loads with or without an equalizer hitch.

 

Sorry- I should have clarified better.

I currently have a 3500 dually, so I have no concerns about towing with my current rig.

I am looking to get something a little more practical as my daily driver.

regarding using the receiver- I always do. I’ve often heard the term “bumper pull” interchanged for using a receiver hitch (versus other styles of towing such as fifth wheel or gooseneck).

the camper’s tongue weight (~800lbs) should be well within the 1750 payload capacity of the F150 I was looking at; I’m more concerned to make sure that I wouldn’t be pulling weight larger than the truck would be rated for, for the type of towing.

 

See my post above. At that tongue weight you would need a WDH.

 

To pull a trailer with more than 500 pounds of tongue weight, you need a weight distribution hitch. The hitch receiver will have a sticker on it telling you this.

If you have a 7,500 pound trailer, ideally you want a tongue weight of 13%, or 975 pounds. 800 pounds is 10.7%, you don't want to get below 10%.

If the truck has a 1,750 pound payload on the yellow sticker, and if it has zero modifications since factory (floor mats, bedliner, tonneau cover, bigger tires, different wheels), then it's simple math. 1,750 - 100 wdh - people and their stuff - things loaded in truck = available payload. You're under the max that your receiver can handle with a WDH, so that's fine.

Ideally, drive to a scale, fill truck with gas, and weigh. Subtract your weight, then subtract the remaining number from the GVWR printed on the white door jamb sticker, and that's your true payload. Best to do with a used truck.

 

@ Wicked ace

thanks! I have a WDH. Excuse my ignorance, I guess I am just getting confused on terms.

So, bumper pull is different from using a receiver and hitch?