Hello all, New to membership but have scanned the forums many a times. I have been looking for my answer but can't seem to track it down on here for my exact truck. Let me say sorry a head of time as i'm sure this question gets old and has been answered but this is how you learn right. I own 2011 F150 FX4, screw, short bed with tow package, 3.73 gears, available payload off the sticker 1421 lbs. I followed a link earlier today to the Huskey towing calculator but it doesn't seem to be working properly right now?? can't get it to add the hitch weight in to the equation.

My wife and i both love camping and have tented it with the kids but would really like the ability to do some longer trips and bring our dog along so a trailer and AC is a must. Yes this is a what can i tow post. I will attach two links of trailer floor plans we are interested in.

for weights i have used family and dog at 450 and have no real plans on carrying any cargo other than that in the truck. That's why we have the trailer. I added in the gas weight on the calculator at 130L and we would plan on pulling the trailer dry.

Heartland Mallard 32
https://heartlandrvs.com/2018/travel...mallard/ma-32/

Heartland Mallard 33
https://heartlandrvs.com/2018/travel...mallard/ma-33/

Obviously we would rather the 33 but from doing math i think that would put us over weight. Anyway any advise suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Again I apologize, I'm just trying to get a grasp on this.

Thanks!

 

You may get lots of guesses, but nothing you get on the internet will answer your question.

That 1,421 pounds payload is your limiter as to how much travel trailer (TT) you can tow without being overloaded, But it's a useless number without more info. Here's your roadmap to getting the correct answer.

1] Load your pickup with everyone and everything that will be in or on it when towing. Pets, kids, toolbox, jacks, campfire wood, toys, everything.
2] Drive to a truck stop that has a truck scale.
3] Fill up with gas,
4. Weigh the wet and loaded tow vehicle.
5. Subtract the weight of the wet and loaded tow vehicle from the GVWR of the tow vehicle. The answer is payload capacity available for hitch weight.
6. Subtract 100 pounds from the payload capacity available for hitch weight. The answer is the payload capacity available for tongue weight .
7. Divide the payload capacity available for tongue weight by 13% and the answer is the max weight of any TT you want to consider. I would strongly suggest you use trailer's GVWR as the max weight of the trailer. If GVWR is not included in the trailer specs, then add the dry weight of the trailer to the cargo carrying capacity (CCC) of the trailer to get approximate GVWR.

 

Thanks Smokey, I have read a lot of your posts. I kinda figured i could get a wide range of answers

 

The approximate trailer would be calculated as 1,421 - 450 - 100 for hitch = 871. 871 / .13 = 6,700 max loaded trailer. Loaded. Many put 1,000 - 1,500 pounds of stuff IN the trailer.

Neither trailer you are considering is remotely possible. The DRY weight for the smaller trailer (i.e. unloaded) is already at your limit.

Smokey's process is the right way to determine exact payload as your truck may have added bedliner, mudflaps, floor mats, ... that all subtract further from payload.

The good news is that you're doing what many don't do, determining your capacity BEFORE buying a trailer, and not relying on a trailer salesperson to tell you that you'll be fine.

 

Thanks Rick, i was worried about getting this very message from someone haha. But I'm asking people who know and aren't looking to make a buck of my decision.

 

Your payload is lighter than mine at 1490 lb and I have one of lightest duty F-150's available (6500# GVWR, no tow package or payload package).

As described in detail above, tongue weight will be the limiting factor. My guess is a trailer length in the low 20's at best...maybe even into the teens.

 

There are some smaller/lighter trailers out there that would work just fine for you. We're partial to our Northwoods Nash 23. GDW - 4552. Fully loaded, we're less than 6000lbs. Very well built and room for the wife and I plus a few grandkids as well as our 75lb English Springer Spaniel. The folks on this site were tons of help.