Buying assistance - towing payload.
 

Hi all, I'm gearing up to purchase a 2013 FX4 SCREW, 145" WB, Ecoboost V6, 3.73 rear end, 7200# GVWR package, and 9600# towing maximum. According to the tow specification on the website the max payload is only 1520#.

The trailers I intend to frequently tow include an 18ft car hauler which with my Early Bronco fully loaded weighs in at 6500# total, and a 32ft travel trailer weighing at about 7000# fully loaded.

By my calculations, with max of around 15% tongue weight (roughly 1000# hitch weight), that only leaves 520# for people, gas, cargo, etc. 36 gallons of fuel alone is 250# and throw 2 adults in there an I'm over GVWR!

What am I doing wrong in this calculation or is an F150 too small to meet my needs?

I set my truck up, a Platinum with less payload than yours, to pull a 7000 lb. enclosed trailer.
It took some doing, but I ended up about 100 lbs. over on the drive axle, with minimal gear and 2 occupants.
You'll need a WD hitch, and you'll be on the upper limits, but it can be done.

A full tank of gas is already included in Ford's payload calculation so that helps. But remember, the catalogue payload really is the absolute MAX. Your door jamb sticker payload will be less, sometimes much less depending upon your options.

I would say you are right on the edge with a 7000# trailer. And your truck's bed will be close to empty of cargo if you want to stay under Ford's limits. Sort of a waste really ...

So maybe that particular F150 is too small. Mine has 2035# payload but I'm using all of it with a 8000# trailer, Leer Cap, kayaks, bikes and assorted junk in the back. It's nice to be able to use that space.

EDIT: and congrats for doing your homework!

Honestly I wouldn't think twice about it. Just hook and go. Never used a we hitch and never felt I needed it. Would it help. Maybe but I wouldn't know.

Find a truck as you want (145")but ensure it has the 7650# GVWR, which is basically a 7700 GVWR in a short box.

The 7200 GVWR pkg ain't gonna hack it. You'll be overloaded over the GVWR of the pickup with any trailer that weighs over about 5,500 pounds.

In order to tow the 7,000-pound trailer without being overloaded, you must have at least the Max Tow Pkg which has 7,700 GVWR. But you'll probably be overloaded even with the Max Tow pkg if you haul anything in the truck besides a skinny driver.

My F-150 EcoBoost SuperCrew with 7,100 GVWR pkg is overloaded with my TT that weighs 4,870 pounds wet and loaded on the road. Only Darling Wife, a toolbox, and 50 pounds worth of dogs are in the pickup, plus a Leer topper covering the bed.

If you insist on the shorty bed, then with the Ecoboost engine, you can order the 3.73 e-locker axle which results in you also getting the Max Tow pkg, which includes the 7,700 GVWR pkg, tow mirrors and the integrated trailer brake controller (ITBC)which you'll need for towing the TT.

But with a 7,000 pound trailer, you'll still have to be constantly worried with being overloaded. If you don't want to be worried about being overloaded, then you should order the F-150 with the heavy duty payload pkg, which includes the 8,200 GVWR pkg. But that requires the 6.5' bed in a SuperCrew. So you won't find a shorty SuperCrew with the HD Payload pkg.

On Ford.com, the build&price won't allow you to "build" something that is not available. So If you want the max tow pkg, you first have to order the EcoBoost engine with 3.73 axle. If you order the 3.73 e-locker axle, the system will automagically add the max tow pkg, and you won't see any mention of the HD Payload pkg. But if you order the 3.73 limited slip rear axle on a pickup that has the EcoBoost engine and 6.5' bed, then the system adds both the HD Payload Pkg and the Max Tow Pkg.

You won't find a leftover 2013 F-150 with the HD Payload Pkg in stock. My daughter searched all over the eastern part of the USA and didn't find even one. She had to have it to tow her 7,000-pound horse trailer, and she didn't want to order and have to wait 7 weeks, so she found a 2013 F-250 that met her needs.

So that might be a better alternative for you. If you can't find a 2013 F-150 with the HD payload pkg, and you don't want to wait 6 or 7 weeks for a new 2014, then look for a leftover 2013 F-250 with the stock 6.2L gas engine. They are a lot more numerous than the properly-equipped F-150s.

Thanks for the great feedback all!

I ended up pulling the trigger on a 2013 FX4 SCREW 145" WB, TUXEDO BLACK, ECOBOOST V6, MAX TOW PKG 11200#, 3.73 ELOCKER, 7650# GVWR, 1636# PAYLOAD.

This should reasonably handle max trailer loads up to 7K lbs assuming about a 950lb tongue weight (13%) leaving around 650lbs for people and cargo (fuel included in payload). If I need to haul excessive cargo while towing, I'll simply incorporate it into the trailer and distribute accordingly to achieve proper tongue weight ratio. I also use a tongue scale to ensure I'm on the mark. But hey all these numbers are "theoretical"; my intention is to hit the closest CAT scale and get some real weights fully loaded with trailer(s) and empty so I have some real data to work from. Anyway, wish me luck :D


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Great input here. I was surprised to find the "Tire and loading information" sticker with the posted maximum payload to vary so significantly between the different models/trims. But to your point, it's what's on the sticker that is accurate to that specific vehicle not what's in the brochure. Also, I noticed that fuel is included in the payload figure, but only for the base 26gal tank. So depending on your options package, if you have the 36gal tank you have to add 10 more gallons of fuel weight (60lbs). Thanks again for the info!

Very nice truck!:thumbup: Congrats. I have almost the same truck (Ruby Red) but my payload is 1725lbs. Must be the 20 inch wheels, as I only have 18s. Do you have a sunroof?

Yes, sunroof and 20" wheels. I suppose that equals the 89# difference.

How do you like the BakFlip HD? I'm looking at the BakFlip VP. So many accessories its mind boggling...