mparker172

Guys & Gals,

Now that I understand tow and haul math. Should I be concerned about Frontal Area limitations? The trailer will be around 80sf. Guide states 60sf. Is gas mileage main consideration? Thanks in advance for advice.

atwowheelguy

This is interesting. My camper's box is 8'0" wide x 7'4" tall, so the frontal area is 58.7 sq. ft. Add a little for the air conditioner box on top and it comes to about 61 sq. ft.


The box sits 1'-4" from the ground, so the roof is 8'-8" from the ground. Assuming the camper you are looking at is similarly proportioned, the box would be 8'-0" wide and 10'-0" tall and the roof would be 11'-4" from the ground. Maybe the new basement storage compartments these days are adding a lot of height.

Aerodynamic drag is proportional to the square of the speed. If you are going from 60 sq. ft. to 80 sq. ft., you have increased your area to 80/60= 1.333 times the original size. To reduce the drag back to what it was, just slow down to √(1/1.333)= 0.866 of previous speed to achieve the same drag. To get back to the same drag as 65 mph with 60 sq. ft. of camper, tow the 80 sq. ft. camper at 65x0.866 = 56.3 mph.

Ricktwuhk

Since Payload is on the door jamb sticker, simply look at it, then subtract the items you noted, divide by .13, and you have it.

mparker172

Atwowheelguy...thanks for the science/math lesson. Whats the formula for pulling a tt through Atlanta?

Ricktuhk...Thanks for the hint where to easily find the Payload number. Is there anyway to find it when shopping for F150s without having to actually see the truck? I am doing a lot of internet shopping and payload is rarely listed.

Thanks a bunch guys!

Ricktwuhk

No, unfortunately. Every truck is unique because of options. However, if two vehicles are the same (bed, engine, options) then their Payload should be the same. And, if there is one difference (say sunroof), you can approximate.

Spreadsheet here: https://www.f150forum.com/f82/post-y...6/#post4583415

atwowheelguy

Formula for towing through Atlanta:
10 am - 2 pm or 9 pm - 4 am plus WAZE
Otherwise, forget it.

Unfortunately, payload stickers are not normally published. I have seen some posted by a dealer, but it's not normal. The aluminum F150s upped the payload game some, but I've always stayed with the XLT with the 302A package for what I thought was the best combination of payload and amenities. And above all, NO MOONROOFS!

Payload sticker looks like this:

BarmanBean

iTrader: (1)

Also, be sure to check the sticker for yourself when you actually see a truck. I had a salesman tell me that "2,120 is the maximum payload" for my truck via text before I went in. My truck is a Lariat 502, so had a pretty good hunch that was BS (which it was). I'm guessing the "2,120" number is the max payload for a non-HPDD truck or something along those lines, but might require a single cab with no options or whatever.

So do your own homework and verify the numbers before purchase.