mjwood

I have been reading many posts on travel trailers and towing with the F150. And like many others, it is easy to get confused given everyone has a slightly different trailer they are considering and slightly different truck... so I come seeking advice.

We are new to RVing and are considering the Coachman Freedom Express - 322RLDSLE (UVW 7449#, GVWR 9800#, hitch weight 954#).

Our tow vehicle is the 2016 F150 SCREW, 3.5 EB XLT with the 6.5' box. (cargo capacity 1702#, GVWR 7050#, curb weight 4709?, towing capacity 10600#, GCWR 16100).

As for truck cargo (passengers, gear, animals) 650# (if we add a generator 650+200=800#).

Couple of questions:

As we have never pulled a trailer before do my numbers look ok? It seems I have the towing capacity (10600-9800= 600) and my cargo capacity is close (1702-650 - 954 = 98)

Is this trailer too big, even if the numbers are OK for a newbie? We did get the "you have LOTS of truck" from the RV dealer and "with a good weight distribution hitch tongue weight isn't an issue" spiel.

Does a good weight distribution hitch reduce the amount of weight on the truck and shift it back to the trailer?

Thanks in advance for any assistance.

smokeywren

Your limiter is the payload capacity of your tow vehicle, so hitch weight is critical. But that 954 hitch weight is the dry hitch weight. You won't be towing a dry trailer, so you must compute the max weight your trailer might be, then use 13% of that weight as your probable wet and loaded hitch weight. Then add about 75 pounds to that hitch weight for the weight-distributing hitch that will add to your hitch weight.


The simplest way to estimate your max hitch weight is to use 13% of the GVWR of the trailer. 13% of 9800 = 1274 pounds. 1,274 + 75 = 1349.


Ignore the tow rating and GCWR of the tow vehicle. You cannot get close to the GCWR or tow rating without exceeding the GVWR and payload rating of the tow vehicle.

If your payload capacity is 1,702, then you'll probably be overloaded with a total hitch weight of 1,349 pounds. That leaves only 353 pounds for people, pets, tools, jack, and any other weight you haul in the pickup when towing. Bed rug? Cab steps?, Tonneau cover or camper shell? Drinks or snacks?


You're probably underestimating the weight of the people and stuff you'll haul in the truck.


Based on my numbers, I have a SuperCrew with 1,566 payload capacity, and I'm overloaded with my TT that has tongue weight of 650 pounds when wet and loaded on the road. That's just me and DW and a 40-pound Welch Border Collie, plus a camper shell that weighs less than 200 pounds.



Try 1702 minus 650 people and stuff, minus 1349 hitch weight = 297 pounds overloaded. With the spring bars tightened to distribute 15% of the tongue weight back to the trailer tires, you'd still be overloaded per a CAT scale. And it's probably worse than that after you add a big jack for changing a trailer tire, some basic tools, maybe a bedrug and/or a tonneau cover or camper shell.



I think so. If you don't want to be overloaded over any of Ford's weight limits, then you need to back off at least a couple thousand pounds of trailer GVWR.


Yes, but only about 15% of tongue weight for most setups. 15% of 1,274 tongue weight is 191 pounds.

brulaz

EDIT: I see smokey beat me to it

Too big/heavy a trailer.

The 954# hitch weight of that trailer is most likely a gross underestimate.

Add batteries, propane and 1000# of stuff in the trailer, you'll be around 8700# of trailer. If tongue weight is 13% of that = 1130#

Add 800# of people and stuff in the truck and you are way over the payload (GVWR) and probably over the rear GAWR.

mike243

Your better off starting off 1500-2000lbs under your limit then when loaded you wont be over weight,with my my old truck 6700 was my limit,trl was about 5000 dry,we added very little to keep the weight down but now we take what we want or need. I have been driving trucks and pulling trls from tractor/trailers on down for over 35 years and being on the edge is is no fun on a long haul. hope you find 1 that suits your family and truck

mjwood

Thanks all.

I have been trying to run numbers and I too have come up with pretty much the same thing... not enough CC (the 1702 seems to be ONE of my biggest limiting factors). Too bad dealers aren't honest when you go looking for help (especially when safety is involved and I bring with me my truck's data!).

So, if I understand correctly... it is best to look at a trailers GVWR (given this will be closer to "real life") then do the 15% to get an idea of hitch weight. Now I can use my 1702# - cargo - hitch to see if I'm safe?

Working backward, 1702 - 805 (people & cargo in truck) - 100 (hitch) = 797 for a hitch weight. 797/.13 = 6130# fully loaded trailer. But since some of the tongue weight would be back on the trailer it could be more (assuming the trailer isn't overloaded and I haven't added more cargo)... if my math is correct?!

GAWR (rear) is 3800#
GVWR 7050#

I appreciate the help - this is very new and I want to make sure I'm understanding the numbers (there are so many) correctly and doing things safely.

Our trips have to be enjoyable, not only once the trailer is setup, but also getting there. White knuckling and being puckered the entire time is not an option.

mike243

I loaded my water tank up for the last 200 miles on the outgoing leg of vacation last year and I know it put me at or a little over my limit ,trk handled it great . Getting ready to heat to cape Hatteras soon

Ricktwuhk

Refreshing to see someone trying to be safe BEFORE purchasing their trailer.

brulaz

In my case, the trailer's 60gal water tank is behind the axles. So filling it up actually lowers the tongue weight somewhat. But that puts me over the trailer's GVWR! You can't win ...

mjwood

Looks like we'll end up passing on the 322 - just to big to tow safely and comfortably. Thanks to all who explained why.

My search continues but it isn't easy using TT supplied data. I've noticed that the Hitch Weight for some Apex Ultra Lite models I'm looking at range from 10-14%. Seems trailers are balanced differently. Sure don't make it easy for those looking to buy.

For me, please correct if I'm wrong, using the TT GVWR x .13 should be fine to determine a Hitch Weight I can handle (given the data above as explained by previous commenters) making sure I don't exceed the CC of my TV.

mjwood

Update. With the Freedom Express 322 gone... we have now limited out choices down to either a:

Jay Flight 28 BHBE (http://www.jayco.com/products/travel...flight/28bhbe/)
Dry 6540
Hitch 660
GVW 9250

or

Freedom Express 305RKDS (http://www.camperclinic.com/New-Inve...t-Texas-819986)

Dry - 6776
Hitch - 846
GVW - 9500

Both are very different - bunk vs couple. We do like both options. Since it would be just the two of us, the extra sleeping space isn't a necessity, however it works for our lifestyle. No having to make an extra bed when someone shifts places. The Coachmen does have some nice options too - more living space, great views but a $8K premium.

I am a little concerned with the tongue weight of the Freedom as it looks like it will/might be pushing me toward max CC. Sales rep assures me I don't have to worry the WD hitch will take care of it.

Will we never approach the GVWR of either TT - I'd like to think since it is only the two of us and dry camping isn't in the cards (yet). For the foreseeable future it will be all camp site camping so minimal H2O weight during travel and supplies (food, etc) can be purchased locally as needed.

Here is my follow-up... Will my TV be OK with either? Are the weights still in the "safe" range??

Any additional suggestions are most welcome.

J