Gladehound

That sticker shows the hitch ratings which can be different than the trucks ratings. The ratings for "weight distributing" are the maximum limits if you use a weight distributing hitch (tons of threads on here about them). This is the type of hitch you want for a travel trailer. It's easy to spot a weight distributing hitch because it will have some sort of spring bars or tensioned chains going back to the trailer tongue from the hitch itself. These function to torque the draw bar which takes some weight off the rear axle and transfers it to the front axle and trailer axles.

The "weight carrying" ratings are if you use a weight carrying hitch. This is just a standard drawbar and ball and what you would commonly use for a small boat, snow mobile trailer, utility trailer or any low profile trailer below 5,000 pounds with less than 500 pounds of hitch weight. For a boxy trailer, some still prefer a weight distributing hitch even if under the weight carrying limits because it increases straight line stability and many have provisions for sway control.

Given what you scaled your truck at, the weight distributing hitch (WDH) ratings on that sticker are completely academic. You will exceed GVWR and or GAWR long before you approach the WDH limits on that sticker.

smokeywren

That sticker is for the weight limits of the receiver hitch only - not for the truck. That receiver has a max tongue weight (TW) of 1,220 pounds when hooked up with a weight-distributing (WD) hitch. That is your hitch limiter, but your truck limiter will probably be less because it's based on payload capacity of the truck and not the weight limits of the receiver. Ignore the max trailer weight rating of the receiver because it assumes only 10% TW and the average tandem-axle travel/cargo/equipment trailer has about 13% TW. Click on this link to see a typical WD hitch: https://www.etrailer.com/Weight-Dist...EQ37140ET.html

"Weight carrying" on the receiver means the weight capacity of the receiver without a WD hitch. IOW, a simple shank and ball mount that carries all the tongue weight without distributing any of the TW off the rear axle of the tow vehicle. Click on this link to see a typical weight-carrying shank and ball mount. https://www.etrailer.com/static/imag...5036_4_250.jpg

Payload capacity available for additional cargo or hitch weight will probably be your limiter as to the max weight you can add without being overloaded. So when you weigh the truck, add the weights on the front and rear axles to get GVW. Then subtract GVW from GVWR of the truck and the answer is remaining payload capacity available for additional weight in the truck. If the remaining payload capacity available for additional weight is a negative number, then you're already up Shi* Creek without a paddle. If the remaining payload capacity available is a positive number, then that's the max weight you can add to the bed without being overloaded.

If you're dragging a trailer as well as hauling stuff in the truck, the above still works if you have the wet and loaded trailer tied on with the spring bars adjusted when you weigh the rig on a CAT scale. GVWR of the truck minus GVW of the truck (including hitch weight) still results in payload capacity available for more weight in the bed.

Gladehound

One thing you might be able to do, is move all equipment out of the truck and into the travel trailer when hauling it. That will free up some payload. Then you still have it with you for work and can put it back in the truck as needed when not towing the travel trailer. Some people have gone as far as to carry their truck's spare tire in the camper. This will require that you get a travel trailer with good external storage areas preferably front and rear so you can balance it appropriately. I'm interested to see what the truck weighs once you remove the equipment.

Also, remember that the 642# probably does not reflect real world hitch weight because it will not include propane, batteries and the WDH (unless otherwise specified). A "30 pound" propane tank weights ~60 pounds full (my trailer has 2 of these on the tongue but you could go with much less unless in a cold climate. One 20 pounder would probably be OK or two even smaller tanks so you can fill one while running off one). Most Batteries are between 40 and 60 pounds (40 wont give you much time off the grid. I find that two 60 pound batteries is practical for a several days off the grid). A WDH will typically be 70 to 100 pounds. Beyond that, you can manipulate tongue weight with how you load wet vs. dry (depending on where the tanks are)

Keep us posted.

acdii

SO far I have gone 2 years and have yet used one tank of propane. I turned the furnace on one time for 30 minutes just to warm it up enough to clean our stuff out and prep the trailer for storage. Since mine has the Arctic package, once it warmed up it stays warm for a while.

Gladehound

Agree. 0ur propane seems to last forever as long as we aren't using the furnace. On our last trip we used about 20 pounds in two weeks for the refrigerator, cooking, and probably mostly for the furnace because we had about a week of below freezing nights.

DonTomio

Scaled today without equipment that is not attached to truck. I did have two full suitcases, laptop, briefcase, dog and I in the truck. That's 740# worth of equipment I can off load when towing Travel Trailer
Front 3140
Rear 2460
Gross 5540
I am getting my wife to lower her expectations a little. Now looking at a trailer 6661# uvw tongue 642# I know these are manufactured weights stated in the brochure but is this more doable?
looking at Grand Design 2670MK if I can get her down to the 2600RB I know I wouldn't have a problem. That trailer is almost a 1000# lighter.
All opinions greatly appreciated.

Jeff1024

So 7000 - 5540 leaves you 1460. Still quite a bit of payload. You are lucky you are starting at 2042 which is relativity high for an F150, most are closer to 1600 or 1700 to start. I would think you could pull off the 650lbs on the tongue no problem.

acdii

Looks good! Got plenty left.

chimmike

Your tongue weight for a loaded trailer should be 13-15% of loaded travel trailer weight. Do not use manufacturer hitch weights!

6600lbs TT tongue weight on the low end is 858lbs!

kbroderick

If you offload the 740 pounds of stuff, does that mean it's going in the trailer or just not coming along? If the former, make sure you leave wiggle room on trailer cargo capacity and GVWR for it.