fringe_remnant

There are many threads on this but try finding one using 'search'!

I see a discrepancy between GCWR max tow ratings and payload ratings combined when compared to basic addition of all numbers to create CGWR.. For example, if one is to combine max payload, max tow, and base curb weight for my 145" SCREW 5.0L XLT one finds that he is 1500 lbs overweight according to the tabulated information below, taken from Ford's website http://www.ford.com/trucks/f150/spec...ions/view-all/

Is this because tongue weight is playing a factor?

2013 Ford F150 Maximum Towing Capability

5.0L V8 geared 3.73 145"WB, towing package with select shift, extra cooling, trailer brake controller, harness, hitch assembly (not Max Tow)
GCWR 15100 lbs
Max Tow 9300 lbs
Payload 1700 lbs

The gross combined weight rating, GCWR, is the maximum allowable combined weight of a towing road vehicle, passengers and cargo in the tow vehicle, plus the weight of the trailer and cargo in the trailer.


Using the above formula for GCWR my 145” 5.0 XLT SCREW GCWR of 15100 lbs should offer me up the following:

5600 +/- lbs vehicle weight (wet)
plus 400 lbs occupants/gear
plus 1300 lbs remaining payload
plus 9300 lbs combined trailer towed/cargo.


I now note that the Max Allowed GCWR is 1500 lbs LESS than the addition of all of the foregoing with allowable tow capability of 9300 lbs., which can only mean that one has to balance payload over tow load over tongue weight.

Can anyone with towing experience illuminate?

Thanks in advance,

FR

Mike Up

That's why there is an 80% rule. TRUE towing capacity is usually around 80% of the manufacturer rating. 80% of 9300 lbs is 7440 lbs.

Here's a breakdown.

Most weight distribution hitch (not weight bearing hitches) will distribute 20% of the tongue weight of the trailer back to the trailers axles. This 80% already accounts for the weight of the hitch. This is where your payload will limit you towing capability.

Most travel trailers will have a 13% hitch weight. Most people usually load their travel trailers around 1300 to 1500 lbs OVER the manufacturers brochure stated weight. Some load heavy and others very light.

Then for a Crew Cab 4WD 5.5' bed 5.0L truck with the 3.73 axle, you have a GCWR of 15,100 lbs and 9300 lbs tow rating. That plays to another situation.

My truck has a true payload capacity of 1582 lbs stated by the Tread Act sticker.

My family and gear (truck accessories and camping gear) weigh about 800 lbs.

So I have 782 lbs left for tongue weight.

Using a weight distribution hitch that distributes 80% of the tongue weight to the truck and 20% to the trailer axles, I can have a tongue weight of 977 lbs (782/.80) .

Like I said tongue weights average about 13% for a travel trailer. So that gives me a loaded travel trailer weight of 7515 lbs. Now most people add manufacturer options, food, water, clothes, STUFF, that adds up to 1300 - 1500 lbs. So subtract 1500 lbs and you have a trailer that has a manufacturer brochure stated weight of 6,015 lbs. That's the MOST you can tow for that situation. That's PAYLOAD LIMITED.

Now I have a truck that has a 1582 lbs payload and a GVWR of 7350 lbs. My truck weighs 5768 lbs (7350 - 1582) . Add my 800 lbs of family and gear weight and my truck now weighs 6568 lbs. The GCWR is 15,100 lbs , so subtract 6568 lbs and my tow rating based on GCWR is 8532 lbs.

SO my tow rating based off of GCWR is 8532 lbs BUT HOLD ON! 1582 lbs payload - 800 lbs of family/gear leaves 782 lbs left for tongue weight!

With a GCWR towing capacity of 8532 lbs and a 782 lbs payload left, you may be able to tow that weight if your towing a boat. The tongue weight would need to be 11% (782/.8 = 977.5 , then 977.5/853 , when used with weight distribution hitch) . You could get away with that if your towing a boat that has a light tongue weight.

Just use math and you can find your tow rating based on different situation.

So towing a boat, I could roughly tow a high of 8532 lbs . Towing a loaded travel trailer, a low of 7515 lbs. That 7515 lbs is right near the 80% rule of 7440 lbs. Plus that 80% could be considered high as it doesn't take into account, high elevation, wind, hills, and high profile trailers that all limit your trucks performance while towing.

Hope that helped.

Revised #s on boat weight since the original edit didn't save.

fringe_remnant

Excellent response. Now I just have to find out my OEM tongue weight capacity.

Much appreciated.

FR

Mike Up

As long as you have the "Tow package", my numbers above would apply. If you don't, you only have a tow rating of 5000 lbs due to lack of coolers.

The Ford built in hitch receiver for my 2012 5.0L truck, has a rating of 500 lbs hitch/ 5,000 lbs towing for a weight bearing hitch, and a 1,050 lbs hitch/ 10,500 lbs tow rating for a weight distribution hitch

ObD

Payload weight is the limiting factor on a F-150. The max tow number is purely a marketing number. A 3-axle low tongue weight car carrier trailer might get you to the max tow number. Most trailers are in the 13% tongue weight range which will swamp the payload weight limit quickly.

fringe_remnant

I think I got it. On a purely instincutal basis I would not load pay while towing.. seen too much of that going down the highway, farkin scary.