steveglincoln

Ford says the new (since 2015) F150, configured for heavy towing, can tow up to something like 11,000 pounds. But several folks that know trucks far better than I say they think that load would be too much. Does anyone have experience towing around 10,000 to 11,000 pounds with one of these new F150s? If so, how is it going?

smokeywren

That 11,000 pounds tow rating is a myth. It assumes a truck with no options not required to achieve that tow rating, and with absolutely no weight in the truck but a skinny driver.


You need to understand GCWR, GVWR, and GAWR.


GCWR is the max combined weight of truck and trailer your drivetrain can PULL without overheating anything in the drivetrain, and without being the slowpoke holding up traffic on hills and mountain passes. Tow rating is GCWR minus the weight of the truck. But GCWR and tow rating ignores payload in the truck.


GVWR is the max weight you can have on the 4 tires of the truck without exceeding the weight rating of tires, wheels, suspension, frame, and braking capacity of the truck. Payload capacity is GVWR minus the weight of the truck. GVWR is usually the limiter as to how much weight you can tow.


GAWR is the max weight you can have on one axle of the truck. Rear GAWR (rGAWR) is often the limiter as to how heavy a trailer you can tow.


Ford says you should never exceed the GCWR, GVWR or GAWRs of your F-150.


Your limiter as to max trailer weight without exceeding any of Ford's weight limits is probably the GVWR (and payload capacity), not the GCWR (and tow rating), of the F-150. With the heavy duty payload package (HDPP), You can probably tow a 5er that grosses up to about 9,000 pounds without exceeding the GVWR of your F-150. A 9,000-pound 5er will have pin eight of 18% to 20% of gross trailer weight, or about 1,620 to 1,800 pounds. Add another ~200 pounds for the weight of the installed 5er hitch for a total hitch weight of over 1,820 pounds.


You asked: "Can the 2015-2017 F150 tow a 10,000 lb 5th Wheel safely?"

Safely? No. Any time you exceed the weight ratings of the vehicle manufacturer you are not towing safely. So don't be that guy.

Ricktwuhk

This ^^^^

Without the HDPP that Smokeywren mentioned (which is quite rare), you're thousands of pounds lower.

PerryB

NO.

Martiangod

I have a 5èr that was 8219 as built, I have stripped, modified, and got its camping weight down to 8157, in order to get here, ive pulled a lot out of the trailer.
took my extras, tonnue cover and bed matt off the truck.
Pull it... sure it does
comfortably....yup
Legal...NOPE
each axel under allowable weight
trailer under allowable weight
truck and trailer over GCWR
Cant get the setup below GCWR
Now your talking a 5,r 1800 pounds heavier then what I started with
Don't think you can get there

ewdavis

I don't jump on the "5000# max trailer weight or a F250" bandwagon, but I agree that really any decent size 5th wheel, especially a 10K unit, should be mated with a 3/4 ton or likely a 1-ton truck.

Bags, helper springs, whatever, you're still exceeding the designed capabilities with a 1/2 ton and a 5er.

johndeerefarmer

My opinion differs. Do a search for my thread (s) on why I feel comfortable towing heavy with my F150. Also see my signature to see what mods I have made to do this.

This is my 7000 lb John Deere on my 4500 lb gooseneck. Tows it easily. This trailer has Dexter axles with electric/hydraulic brakes. I can stop the entire rig with just the trailer brakes.
I also have a Grand Design Reflection 29rs that weighs around 9200 lbs loaded. I towed it with my '16 F150 and this '17 will do even better.

Do whatever makes you feel comfortable.

SkiSmuggs

I safely towed my 10K fiver with my 2011 F150 Max Tow (1848 payload) for 3 years and over 20,000 miles up and down the mountains of VT, NH, CO and WY without issue. I added overload springs and HD shocks to approximate the HD Payload which was difficult to get at the time. I had a few panic stops where we stopped quickly, going down mountains was no problem and I often passed diesels on the way up. However, there is a web site that is devoted to safe fifth wheel towing. Please read this article. http://fifthwheelst.com/2015-half-ton-truck-towing.html
And finally, if you want an F150 with the HD Payload package, just order it as they are finally making them again. Remember, the higher the trim level, the less payload you have.
And a hint: The Andersen Ultimate hitch does wonders for trimming weight. Mine weighs 35 lbs. The steel rail mount weighs 45 lbs.

johndeerefarmer

Grand Design just introduced a new 1/2 ton towable that has an unloaded pin weight of 1195 lbs.

https://www.granddesignrv.com/showro...oorplans/230rl

SkiSmuggs

1. Ford's towing guide indicates properly equipped F150s can tow over 11K.
2. http://fifthwheelst.com/2015-half-ton-truck-towing.html confirms Ford's towing guide.
3. Just because a fiver has a GVWR, doesn't mean you have to fill it to that capacity.
4. E-Rated tires improve stability over P-Rated tires.
5. Door jamb labels aside, overload springs, HD shocks and E-rated tire are what Ford does for the HD Payload, minus the 6.5' bed.
6. Stop looking for the HD Payload on the lot and just order the damn thing. You couldn't get it for a couple years, but I understand they are making them now.
7. Get a Super Duty but understand the capacity of the F250 is close to the F150 HD.