Trailer towers, can you leave the tailgate down while you tow?
05-17-2016, 09:38 AM
#1
Ford Truck Lover
Thread Starter
Trailer towers, can you leave the tailgate down while you tow?
I am trying to decide whether I can get away having my ATV in the bed (tailgate down) and pull a travel trailer.
Toy Haulers are much more expensive.
Toy Haulers are much more expensive.
05-17-2016, 09:48 AM
#2
Senior Member
Yes, you can. As long as the TT weighs about 4,300 pounds or less, and assuming you don't max out the weight that your rear axle can handle...
Your truck will have a Payload rating that likely will be in the range of 1,300 - 1,700 pounds. From that you subtract your weight, the weight of your passengers, and the weight of everything loaded in the truck - including your ATV and your WDH. How much does the ATV weigh?
Let's assume it weighs 400 pounds, and you weigh 200 and your wife weighs 100, and nothing else is loaded in the truck. 100 pounds for the WDH.
1,500 Payload - 300 pounds passengers - 400 pounds ATV - 100 pounds WDH = 700 pounds max tongue weight.
Now, assuming a 13% load from the tongue, your trailer can weigh 700/.13 = 5,385 fully loaded. That's like a 4,300 pound TT max.
Go to a 1,400 payload and you lose about 800 pounds on your trailer. 1,300 and another 800 pounds.
It's great you're asking this before you buy your truck and hopefully before you buy your TT. On the Towing section of the site there are tons of discussions explaining things.
There is a reason you don't see people doing this.
Your truck will have a Payload rating that likely will be in the range of 1,300 - 1,700 pounds. From that you subtract your weight, the weight of your passengers, and the weight of everything loaded in the truck - including your ATV and your WDH. How much does the ATV weigh?
Let's assume it weighs 400 pounds, and you weigh 200 and your wife weighs 100, and nothing else is loaded in the truck. 100 pounds for the WDH.
1,500 Payload - 300 pounds passengers - 400 pounds ATV - 100 pounds WDH = 700 pounds max tongue weight.
Now, assuming a 13% load from the tongue, your trailer can weigh 700/.13 = 5,385 fully loaded. That's like a 4,300 pound TT max.
Go to a 1,400 payload and you lose about 800 pounds on your trailer. 1,300 and another 800 pounds.
It's great you're asking this before you buy your truck and hopefully before you buy your TT. On the Towing section of the site there are tons of discussions explaining things.
There is a reason you don't see people doing this.
Last edited by Ricktwuhk; 05-17-2016 at 09:59 AM.
The following users liked this post:
LoneWolfTrucker (05-17-2016)
05-17-2016, 09:58 AM
#3
I don't see this working out unless the tower sits further back than the tailgate does when lowered, you have a rather short tower installed, or your truck is lifted and you have a hitch with a lowered ball to compensate.
This post has been edited
This post has been edited
05-17-2016, 10:04 AM
#4
Senior Member
BTDT, and I have the dent in the top of my tailgate to prove it. DO NOT ATTEMPT this! you WILL regret it.
05-17-2016, 10:11 AM
#5
Ford Truck Lover
Thread Starter
Okay I was definitely going to go with the Trailer Tow package. I didn't think the Max Load package was worth it since it only adds 1K lbs of capacity. Thoughts there?
Elfiero, thanks for the input. I had that on my old truck but just from opening the tailgate with the trailer attached.
Elfiero, thanks for the input. I had that on my old truck but just from opening the tailgate with the trailer attached.
05-17-2016, 10:17 AM
#6
Ford Truck Lover
Thread Starter
Yes, you can. As long as the TT weighs about 4,300 pounds or less, and assuming you don't max out the weight that your rear axle can handle...
Your truck will have a Payload rating that likely will be in the range of 1,300 - 1,700 pounds. From that you subtract your weight, the weight of your passengers, and the weight of everything loaded in the truck - including your ATV and your WDH. How much does the ATV weigh?
Let's assume it weighs 400 pounds, and you weigh 200 and your wife weighs 100, and nothing else is loaded in the truck. 100 pounds for the WDH.
1,500 Payload - 300 pounds passengers - 400 pounds ATV - 100 pounds WDH = 700 pounds max tongue weight.
Now, assuming a 13% load from the tongue, your trailer can weigh 700/.13 = 5,385 fully loaded. That's like a 4,300 pound TT max.
Go to a 1,400 payload and you lose about 800 pounds on your trailer. 1,300 and another 800 pounds.
It's great you're asking this before you buy your truck and hopefully before you buy your TT. On the Towing section of the site there are tons of discussions explaining things.
There is a reason you don't see people doing this.
Your truck will have a Payload rating that likely will be in the range of 1,300 - 1,700 pounds. From that you subtract your weight, the weight of your passengers, and the weight of everything loaded in the truck - including your ATV and your WDH. How much does the ATV weigh?
Let's assume it weighs 400 pounds, and you weigh 200 and your wife weighs 100, and nothing else is loaded in the truck. 100 pounds for the WDH.
1,500 Payload - 300 pounds passengers - 400 pounds ATV - 100 pounds WDH = 700 pounds max tongue weight.
Now, assuming a 13% load from the tongue, your trailer can weigh 700/.13 = 5,385 fully loaded. That's like a 4,300 pound TT max.
Go to a 1,400 payload and you lose about 800 pounds on your trailer. 1,300 and another 800 pounds.
It's great you're asking this before you buy your truck and hopefully before you buy your TT. On the Towing section of the site there are tons of discussions explaining things.
There is a reason you don't see people doing this.
05-17-2016, 10:25 AM
#7
MGD
The following users liked this post:
LoneWolfTrucker (05-17-2016)
Trending Topics
05-17-2016, 10:28 AM
#8
Senior Member
With most 1/2 tons, there is about a 90% chance you're going to be over payload. 800 lb atv, 700lb tongue weight, plus passengers and cargo.
The following users liked this post:
LoneWolfTrucker (05-17-2016)
05-17-2016, 10:32 AM
#9
Ford Truck Lover
Thread Starter
Okay, so I have to convince the wife I need a new Toy Hauler.
Thanks everyone.
Thanks everyone.
