Towing capacity
#1
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Towing capacity
I'm a little confused about the towing capacity of my truck:
It's a 2021 with a 3.5 V6 full hybrid. My travel travel trailer's empty weight is 4730 lbs, 6900 fully loaded, 480 lbs tongue weight empty.
Ford's website tells me my truck has a gross weight of 7350 lbs, combined gross weight of 16700, max payload of 1947, after I input my VIN.
If I'm doing the math right the resulting trailer weight is 7403, within safe limits, which is good.
So this is fine, however I've seen in a number of places that this truck can have a max towing capacity of 12700, and mine appears to be well short of that number.
How can I find exactly the rating of my truck?
Sorry about the newbie questions, but I'm sure many of you know way more than I do about this subject.
Thanks in advance.
It's a 2021 with a 3.5 V6 full hybrid. My travel travel trailer's empty weight is 4730 lbs, 6900 fully loaded, 480 lbs tongue weight empty.
Ford's website tells me my truck has a gross weight of 7350 lbs, combined gross weight of 16700, max payload of 1947, after I input my VIN.
If I'm doing the math right the resulting trailer weight is 7403, within safe limits, which is good.
So this is fine, however I've seen in a number of places that this truck can have a max towing capacity of 12700, and mine appears to be well short of that number.
How can I find exactly the rating of my truck?
Sorry about the newbie questions, but I'm sure many of you know way more than I do about this subject.
Thanks in advance.
Last edited by jma57; 04-28-2024 at 10:19 AM.
#2
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How did you calculate the 7403 figure? That is pretty darn good payload for the Powerboost, so I think next step would just be to get some confirmation on actual weights by loading up and taking the combination to a scale so you can see your steer and drive axle weight (and if possible the true tongue weight of the trailer).
The 12700 maximum trailer weight (I think) assumes a 10% tongue weight and being within your trucks GVWR of 7350. Aside from that, as long as you're within your GCWR of 16700 you are fine.
The 12700 maximum trailer weight (I think) assumes a 10% tongue weight and being within your trucks GVWR of 7350. Aside from that, as long as you're within your GCWR of 16700 you are fine.
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Bullfighter (04-29-2024)
#3
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How did you calculate the 7403 figure? That is pretty darn good payload for the Powerboost, so I think next step would just be to get some confirmation on actual weights by loading up and taking the combination to a scale so you can see your steer and drive axle weight (and if possible the true tongue weight of the trailer).
The 12700 maximum trailer weight (I think) assumes a 10% tongue weight and being within your trucks GVWR of 7350. Aside from that, as long as you're within your GCWR of 16700 you are fine.
The 12700 maximum trailer weight (I think) assumes a 10% tongue weight and being within your trucks GVWR of 7350. Aside from that, as long as you're within your GCWR of 16700 you are fine.
From Ford's website after VIN input.
#4
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Ah, yeah payload is it's own thing, as that is just how much weight your truck can accommodate (everything from yourself, passengers, bed cargo and tongue weight).
Like the charts and calculator state, 12700 should be your max towing capacity if all else is being adhered to. Often the GCWR (16700) is not able to be achieved simultaneously to both having a maxed out trailer at the same time as a maxed out vehicle weight.
Like the charts and calculator state, 12700 should be your max towing capacity if all else is being adhered to. Often the GCWR (16700) is not able to be achieved simultaneously to both having a maxed out trailer at the same time as a maxed out vehicle weight.
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Thank you,
I went back to the towing calculator and you can look at the numbers. It looks like I'll be just fine. I traded the Frontier because I knew it just wouldn't be enough truck.
Let me know what you think.
I went back to the towing calculator and you can look at the numbers. It looks like I'll be just fine. I traded the Frontier because I knew it just wouldn't be enough truck.
Let me know what you think.
#6
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Looks pretty good, just keep in mind that tongue weight can sometimes be a bit more than 10% in many situations with travel trailers when they are loaded up with water, propane, gear and everything else. You'll likely not feel any issues, but always good to keep things within their rated parameters, so when you get a chance, I'd hook it up and take it to the scales to try and get all the applicable weights (even better if you can get an unhooked weight so you know exactly how much tongue weight the trailer adds).
#7
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Looks pretty good, just keep in mind that tongue weight can sometimes be a bit more than 10% in many situations with travel trailers when they are loaded up with water, propane, gear and everything else. You'll likely not feel any issues, but always good to keep things within their rated parameters, so when you get a chance, I'd hook it up and take it to the scales to try and get all the applicable weights (even better if you can get an unhooked weight so you know exactly how much tongue weight the trailer adds).
I do plan to take it to the scales to get a more accurate idea. I'm conservative when loading the trailer and the truck, it's just the two of us and we tend to travel light.
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#8
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Go to owner.ford.com login. Use your VIN and it will tell you exactly what you can tow.
#9
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If the combined GW is 16700, the only way to (legally) tow 12700 is with a truck that weights 4000 lbs, with you onboard. And the minimum hitch weight of 1270 lbs, plus you, has be be less than the max payload.
According to Ford info, the regular cab, 5.5 bed, 2 wheel drive, 3.3 v6 (with no accessories) could weigh as little as 4021 lbs.
According to Ford info, the regular cab, 5.5 bed, 2 wheel drive, 3.3 v6 (with no accessories) could weigh as little as 4021 lbs.
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Johnny Paycheck (04-29-2024)
#10
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^Good catch, according to the 2021 towing chart, the only model with the 16,700 GCWR has a max towing capacity of 11,000lbs. https://www.ford.com/cmslibs/content..._F150_Dec3.pdf
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Johnny Paycheck (04-29-2024)