timtrace

Legally...check the towing guide for your model year.

acdii

Seems like a lot of people look at the max ratings listed by Ford without really knowing what their truck is truly rated at. The F150 3.5 EB is rated at 17100#, but read the fine print, Max Tow package, Long Wheel base, Max Payload Package, etc. Mine came with the integrated brake controller, so I assumed it included Max tow, nope, seems Ford changed how to option the F150 between 2012 and 2014 and you can option the brake controller without needing the max tow package.

Look closer, tow ratings are based on 4 things, Wheel base, Cab style, Engine, and gearing, then you have the fine print below that lists the packages needed to meet those ratings. The owners manual lists all this, but is a bit vague on the exact ratings because they leave out the payload tag on the door. This is THE most important rating as it determines your trailer over everything else. If your trailer tongue exceeds this rating with the truck loaded as will be used, then you have too much trailer, regardless if its GVWR is within specs.

SixShooter14

Yep, the ratings are vehicle specific, there's a lot that goes into each rating...and they all must be observed and obeyed to SAFELY use the vehicle...

Probably the safest thing to do would be to make a list of YOUR specific vehicle's ratings: GVWR, GCWR, GAWR (fr and rr), Payload, etc. As well as tire load rating... Keep this list in the truck and/or trailer and when you plan to haul or tow, run down the list and make sure none of the ratings are surpassed. Would be a good idea to visit the CAT scales at least once with what you plan to carry, also measure the "dry" weights (just fyi)

Sure, the truck can haul more, tow more, and leap tall buildings in a single bound...but it shouldn't and may not be safe and is one more thing for DOT, Insurance Co., and Lawyers to use against you in the off chance something bad happens...oh yeah, as always. Use "common sense". No one wants to cause an accident, especially if someone is injured or killed.

jcb206

Yep the rating can be as low as 7k to 12k, but that is a flat bed dual axle trailer with 12k lbs equally spread out and 10% tongue weight to not exceed the tongue rating on the receiver.

Most think they can just buy a 10k GVWR travel trailer with 75 sq ft of frontal area because the truck is rated for 10-12k towing.

When rarely a F150 can tow more than a 8500 GVWR travel trailer without exceeding the recommended 12-13% tongue weight a travel trailer (w/ WDH) can handle.

I love my truck (3.5 Ecoboost w/3.31) that can "tow" 10k lbs, but I would never hook a 10k GVWR travel trailer up to it and come on here and ask if I need airbags! I am in the market for a 6-7k GVWR trailer as to keep my tongue weight below 900 lbs.

JMO and YMMV. And never ever listen to a Ford or RV salesman that says "Sure! You can tow that! Look, it says 12,200 lb tow rating on the website and 3k lb payload!"

redcelica

I personally think in this scenario a f-250/350 is justified and recommended.

Side question: Why do folks buy so many f-250s when the 350 SRW is about the same price and has more tow/payload capacity in the same configuration/trim?

jeffinthebag

In NJ, the registration and insurance is cheaper for a f250 vs a f350.

redcelica

how much?

jeffinthebag

I don't know exactly. It go by weight.

acdii

Plates cost more on a 1 ton. In IL they are D plates( IIRC), I think the 3/4 ton is still B plates.


This is exactly what I went through finding a trailer I can tow that sleeps 6. I figured the max grossing trailer I could pull is 7600#, and I found a Coleman 274BH that works perfect, or at least I thought until I weighed it and found with the family in the truck and a full fresh water tank I was 400# over my rear axle weight. Tongue weight is 764#, people 600#. Problem solved, no passengers, they travel in a second car.

This afternoon I took the WDH hitch apart and reconfigured it, had to add 2 washers to the angle pin to tip the head back enough to get the bars parallel to the trailer, and now everything sits perfectly, though does nothing for the passengers. Trailer does pull nicely behind the truck. If your still looking give the Colemans a look, I got a 2014 and it's like new inside and out.