ACTUAL Max Tow on a 13,200 lb rated F150
09-30-2018, 09:03 PM
#21
Senior Member
You need a 3/4 or maybe a 1 ton truck. The one you're looking at might TOW 13000 lbs, but with only you in the truck. Your family and other cargo will have to ride in another vehicle. Realistically around 7000-8000 is probably the most you can tow and it really comes down to payload. Every truck is different, but 1600-1800 lbs is typical. This one might be a bit more, or a bit less.
A 3/4 ton isn't that much bigger, especially since the one you're looking at has the 6.5' bed. The ride can be pretty close and if you stay with the gas engine cost is very close. The last time I looked the diesel engine was a $9000 option and with the cost of fuel, DEF, and maintenance I just wouldn't go there unless I towed heavy loads on a daily basis.
A 3/4 ton isn't that much bigger, especially since the one you're looking at has the 6.5' bed. The ride can be pretty close and if you stay with the gas engine cost is very close. The last time I looked the diesel engine was a $9000 option and with the cost of fuel, DEF, and maintenance I just wouldn't go there unless I towed heavy loads on a daily basis.
09-30-2018, 10:37 PM
#22
Junior Member
Thread Starter
From the 2018 Ford RV Trailer Towing Guide:
"Tongue load weight should be 10% of total loaded trailer weight. Make sure vehicle payload (reduce by option weight) will accommodate trailer tongue load weight and weight of
passengers and cargo added to towing vehicle. Addition of trailer tongue load weight and weight of passengers and cargo cannot cause vehicle weights to exceed rear GAWR or GVWR. These ratings can be found on the vehicle Safety Compliance Certification Label." http://www.diehlford.com/images/pdf/...uide_F_150.pdf
It says Tongue load weight (For conventional towing) should be 10% of total loaded trailer weight, not 13%. Where does this 13% guide come from. If 10% is wrong, they are really opening themselves up for Lawsuit City, right? (The published number does increase to 15% for 5th wheel towing)
What am I missing?
"Tongue load weight should be 10% of total loaded trailer weight. Make sure vehicle payload (reduce by option weight) will accommodate trailer tongue load weight and weight of
passengers and cargo added to towing vehicle. Addition of trailer tongue load weight and weight of passengers and cargo cannot cause vehicle weights to exceed rear GAWR or GVWR. These ratings can be found on the vehicle Safety Compliance Certification Label." http://www.diehlford.com/images/pdf/...uide_F_150.pdf
It says Tongue load weight (For conventional towing) should be 10% of total loaded trailer weight, not 13%. Where does this 13% guide come from. If 10% is wrong, they are really opening themselves up for Lawsuit City, right? (The published number does increase to 15% for 5th wheel towing)
What am I missing?
Last edited by LawOfMD; 09-30-2018 at 10:48 PM.
09-30-2018, 11:24 PM
#23
The best towing experience will occur with 13-15% tongue weight. 10 is bare minimum and often unattainable with an RV. I have a Lariat SCrew 7050#. My trailer weighs 8300 and I was 7120 on the truck last trip. Minimum cargo in the truck box, family of 3. Shop for something near 8k gross, then learn to load so you stay legal.
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Ricktwuhk (10-01-2018)
10-01-2018, 01:45 AM
#24
Senior Member
AH. this is why I love forums. So much good info in so quick a time. I hadn’t thought of the roominess aspect of a 5ver.
So I now understand the 13% of trailer weight = tongue weight subtracting from your payload allowance - what’s the formula for computing pin weight against the payload allowance. Sounds like it’s more.
With that info I am going to at least look at what sort of ultra light 5th wheel bunk house campers are out there
that I could pull with my bells and whistles plagued half Ton.
...And since I’m considering it...
Here I go changing the subject again: Is my warranty in any sort of jeopardy if I had a 3rd party install an under mount 5th wheel hitch? (I can’t stand the thought of two rails sticking out on my bed for ever - so undermount is the only thing that seems an option for me). I watched a video of an install and it seemed rather invasive. I can’t imagime that it would be so long as it’s a reputable installation company but it seems worth asking. Do Ford dealerships install them?
I have an smaller ultra light 5th wheel that I tow with my HDPP f150. Pin weight loaded is 1394lbs add in 180lbs for the hitch and you won't have enough payload left over for 5 people. My truck has a payload of 2381 lbs. With 2 people I only have about 500lbs of available payload with the trailer connected and the truck all loaded for a trip. Once you know the payload on your truck you should be able to find a suitable conventional TT. There are many nice smaller trailers that have surprisingly roomy layouts. I would put the 5th wheel idea out of your mind. Anything that will work with your truck will be far to small for 5 people.
10-01-2018, 06:20 AM
#25
Junior Member
Thread Starter
The best towing experience will occur with 13-15% tongue weight. 10 is bare minimum and often unattainable with an RV. I have a Lariat SCrew 7050#. My trailer weighs 8300 and I was 7120 on the truck last trip. Minimum cargo in the truck box, family of 3. Shop for something near 8k gross, then learn to load so you stay legal.
10-01-2018, 07:51 AM
#26
Yes. Finding a trailer weight you can tow is very simple.
1) Find yellow payload sticker
2) Subtract you, family, dogs, and anything else carried in truck. Include your 100lb WD hutch.
3) Take # and divide by .13
4) Use this final weight number and shop GROSS TRAIL WEIGHT. Forget the dry stuff.
If you really wanted a towing truck, you should have ordered a heavy duty payload. My lariat 500a has a payload of 2333lb. After subtracting all my family, bicycles, etc I still have over 1500lb payload available... but I am limited to 1320lb on the hitch, which I can comfortably max. 1320 / .13 = 10,000lb trailer, well within spec.
Your 502A will be maxed out with a 6000lb trailer. Get the payload sticker, run the numbers...
Also, the max 13200lb tow rating is only obtained on a XL model, if I recall correctly. Either way, your 502A is not what you expect.
1) Find yellow payload sticker
2) Subtract you, family, dogs, and anything else carried in truck. Include your 100lb WD hutch.
3) Take # and divide by .13
4) Use this final weight number and shop GROSS TRAIL WEIGHT. Forget the dry stuff.
If you really wanted a towing truck, you should have ordered a heavy duty payload. My lariat 500a has a payload of 2333lb. After subtracting all my family, bicycles, etc I still have over 1500lb payload available... but I am limited to 1320lb on the hitch, which I can comfortably max. 1320 / .13 = 10,000lb trailer, well within spec.
Your 502A will be maxed out with a 6000lb trailer. Get the payload sticker, run the numbers...
Also, the max 13200lb tow rating is only obtained on a XL model, if I recall correctly. Either way, your 502A is not what you expect.
10-01-2018, 08:04 AM
#27
Junior Member
Thread Starter
Yes. Finding a trailer weight you can tow is very simple.
1) Find yellow payload sticker
2) Subtract you, family, dogs, and anything else carried in truck. Include your 100lb WD hutch.
3) Take # and divide by .13
4) Use this final weight number and shop GROSS TRAIL WEIGHT. Forget the dry stuff.
If you really wanted a towing truck, you should have ordered a heavy duty payload. My lariat 500a has a payload of 2333lb. After subtracting all my family, bicycles, etc I still have over 1500lb payload available... but I am limited to 1320lb on the hitch, which I can comfortably max. 1320 / .13 = 10,000lb trailer, well within spec.
Your 502A will be maxed out with a 6000lb trailer. Get the payload sticker, run the numbers...
Also, the max 13200lb tow rating is only obtained on a XL model, if I recall correctly. Either way, your 502A is not what you expect.
1) Find yellow payload sticker
2) Subtract you, family, dogs, and anything else carried in truck. Include your 100lb WD hutch.
3) Take # and divide by .13
4) Use this final weight number and shop GROSS TRAIL WEIGHT. Forget the dry stuff.
If you really wanted a towing truck, you should have ordered a heavy duty payload. My lariat 500a has a payload of 2333lb. After subtracting all my family, bicycles, etc I still have over 1500lb payload available... but I am limited to 1320lb on the hitch, which I can comfortably max. 1320 / .13 = 10,000lb trailer, well within spec.
Your 502A will be maxed out with a 6000lb trailer. Get the payload sticker, run the numbers...
Also, the max 13200lb tow rating is only obtained on a XL model, if I recall correctly. Either way, your 502A is not what you expect.
I’ve been looking around and I think we’re going to be ok with a 6000lb max trailer. The thought of driving a huge 10,000lb 35 foot trailer all over god’s creation doesn’t appeal to me.
ultimately good folks like you in this forum answered my question. ~6k. I’ll get the exact number once the door sill sticker info comes in. Expecting that today.
Last edited by LawOfMD; 10-01-2018 at 08:07 AM.
10-01-2018, 08:05 AM
#28
Senior Member
Yes. Finding a trailer weight you can tow is very simple.
1) Find yellow payload sticker
2) Subtract you, family, dogs, and anything else carried in truck. Include your 100lb WD hutch. Plus any modifications you make - bedliner, floor mats, etc.
3) Take # and divide by .13
4) Use this final weight number and shop GROSS TRAIL WEIGHT. Forget the dry stuff.
If you really wanted a towing truck, you should have ordered a heavy duty payload. My lariat 500a has a payload of 2333lb. After subtracting all my family, bicycles, etc I still have over 1500lb payload available... but I am limited to 1320lb on the hitch, which I can comfortably max. 1320 / .13 = 10,000lb trailer, well within spec.
Your 502A will be maxed out with a 6000lb trailer. Get the payload sticker, run the numbers...
Also, the max 13200lb tow rating is only obtained on a XL model, if I recall correctly. Either way, your 502A is not what you expect.
1) Find yellow payload sticker
2) Subtract you, family, dogs, and anything else carried in truck. Include your 100lb WD hutch. Plus any modifications you make - bedliner, floor mats, etc.
3) Take # and divide by .13
4) Use this final weight number and shop GROSS TRAIL WEIGHT. Forget the dry stuff.
If you really wanted a towing truck, you should have ordered a heavy duty payload. My lariat 500a has a payload of 2333lb. After subtracting all my family, bicycles, etc I still have over 1500lb payload available... but I am limited to 1320lb on the hitch, which I can comfortably max. 1320 / .13 = 10,000lb trailer, well within spec.
Your 502A will be maxed out with a 6000lb trailer. Get the payload sticker, run the numbers...
Also, the max 13200lb tow rating is only obtained on a XL model, if I recall correctly. Either way, your 502A is not what you expect.
10-01-2018, 08:34 AM
#29
Shopping around 6K GVWR on the trailer is the right ball park for your truck. I'll just reiterate that you need to weigh the trailer tongue with propane and batteries to get an idea if you can make it work before you buy. Then weigh again once loaded to make sure you got it right. My 6600 GVW trailer has ~900 pounds of tongue weight loaded for a trip. ~1,000 if you include the WDH. So even "light" trailers can get up there when loaded and ready to go.
You'll love how the 3.5EB and 10 speed pulls! And the newer MTTPs have better rear springs than the pre-2018. So it should handle any trailer that keeps it within it's GVWR well. Since you have 5 and three of those sound like they will grow. Make sure you leave a little payload left for that weight increase. Post the yellow sticker when you get it because that will determine how much payload you have to play with before hitting that GVWR. I have a family of 4, and with bikes, kayaks, tools an the aforementioned 6600 GVWR TT, I only have about 200 pounds of payload remaining and I'm starting with a lot more payload than you. But with careful packing, you should be able to make a 6,000 GVW trailer work.
You ask about what is comfortable to tow. In your case, you will likely run into legal / liability limits on GVWR before it gets "uncomfortable". With the 157"WB and 5 in the cab adding weight to the front (which adds stability), you should have no problem setting it up with WDH such that it comfortably tows anything within the GVWR and GAWRs.
You'll love how the 3.5EB and 10 speed pulls! And the newer MTTPs have better rear springs than the pre-2018. So it should handle any trailer that keeps it within it's GVWR well. Since you have 5 and three of those sound like they will grow. Make sure you leave a little payload left for that weight increase. Post the yellow sticker when you get it because that will determine how much payload you have to play with before hitting that GVWR. I have a family of 4, and with bikes, kayaks, tools an the aforementioned 6600 GVWR TT, I only have about 200 pounds of payload remaining and I'm starting with a lot more payload than you. But with careful packing, you should be able to make a 6,000 GVW trailer work.
You ask about what is comfortable to tow. In your case, you will likely run into legal / liability limits on GVWR before it gets "uncomfortable". With the 157"WB and 5 in the cab adding weight to the front (which adds stability), you should have no problem setting it up with WDH such that it comfortably tows anything within the GVWR and GAWRs.
10-01-2018, 08:49 AM
#30
Junior Member
Thread Starter
TIL while running the build and price calculator that you can’t even get a 502A with a Max Payload package - at least in a Lariat. Haven’t run the other trims but I can’t see that trim would matter. No stop and go adaptive cruise (which I think I will love). No BLIS. No B&O sound. Bottom line - if you want the bling it’s going to sting, when it comes to payload.
The built and price website didn’t specify how much payload the Max Payload actually adds - is it significantly more?
The built and price website didn’t specify how much payload the Max Payload actually adds - is it significantly more?