Difference in weight/ tow ratings
05-20-2016, 12:15 AM
#21
Senior Member
Mg05 - To answer your question about suspension on the max trailer tow trucks. I do not think so. But the Heavy Duty Payload Package trucks do have higher capacity axles, springs and frames as well as higher empty weight. For example my 2011 is 6000 empty and 8200 gross.
So staying with an F150, they should be a better choice. But as mentioned before, some have found improved handling and stability with LT Load range C or E tires, a rear anti sway bar, and/or air bags. The air bags do not increase weight carrying capacity but do increase spring rate. With my 1995 Dodge, the 5000 lb Air Lift bags rode normal with 5 psi in them but with 30 psi it was like a 3/4 ton.
So staying with an F150, they should be a better choice. But as mentioned before, some have found improved handling and stability with LT Load range C or E tires, a rear anti sway bar, and/or air bags. The air bags do not increase weight carrying capacity but do increase spring rate. With my 1995 Dodge, the 5000 lb Air Lift bags rode normal with 5 psi in them but with 30 psi it was like a 3/4 ton.
05-20-2016, 06:08 AM
#22
Thanks guys, I'm just kind of stuck between the f150s and 250s. I thought if the suspension was heavier on the higher tow rated trucks it would close the gap between the two. The hdpp sounds like it would do that but there isn't much chance of getting one right now.
I might just end up holding out for a while to see if they start building the hdpp trucks
I might just end up holding out for a while to see if they start building the hdpp trucks
05-20-2016, 11:24 PM
#23
my truck is a supercrew with 3.55s and the 5.0. On fords site, my tow rating is 7700. So a max tow ecoboost at 11500(or whatever they are rated for) has the same suspension as my truck? Guess I'm just wondering if it will handle the trailer any different or if I need to upgrade to an f250.
Regardless though, even my max tow trucks suspension whallows around a bit once it gets weight in the back. Even just going camping and throwing two bikes on a trailer hitch rack caused the truck to bounce. It really needs air bags (which I have) and some stiffer shocks to keep things in check. The hellwig swaybar would help too.
Last edited by mass-hole; 05-20-2016 at 11:27 PM.
05-21-2016, 09:58 AM
#24
Grumpy Old Man
my truck is a supercrew with 3.55s and the 5.0. On fords site, my tow rating is 7700. So a max tow ecoboost at 11500(or whatever they are rated for) has the same suspension as my truck? Guess I'm just wondering if it will handle the trailer any different or if I need to upgrade to an f250.
Ford's tow ratings ae extremely optimistic. They assume a truck with no options not required to achieve that tow rating, and absolutely nothing in the truck but a skinny driver.
For example, my tow rating is 8,000 pounds, but I'm overloaded with my small TT that grosses only 4,870 pounds with 650 pounds hitch weight (my 13.38% wet and loaded hitch weight is about average for a TT). Only me and DW and puppydog in the cab. But heavy options such as Lariat trim, cab steps, bed steps and tailgate step, spray-in bedliner, bed rug and a lightweight camper shell. Toolbox full of tools. If I had the HDPP, I wouldn't be overloaded with that TT, but then it's a small TT with GVWR of only 5,600 pounds and loaded to less than 5,000 pounds.
My estimate based on how I load my tow vehicle for cross-country towing is any TT with GVWR more than 6,000 pounds will overload an F-150 without a camper shell and that that doesn't have HDPP. With HDPP, then the max trailer GVWR goes up to 7,000 pounds, maybe 7,500.
Heavier TTs require an F-250 if you don't want to be overloaded. And skip the 6.2L gas engine in an F-250. It's plenty of engine for an F-150, but a weakling when installed in an F-250. So go for the wonderful PowerStroke diesel drivetrain. You'll be glad you did. Yeah, it costs a lot more, but it's worth it.
05-21-2016, 02:33 PM
#25
Ford's tow ratings ae extremely optimistic. They assume a truck with no options not required to achieve that tow rating, and absolutely nothing in the truck but a skinny driver.
For example, my tow rating is 8,000 pounds, but I'm overloaded with my small TT that grosses only 4,870 pounds with 650 pounds hitch weight (my 13.38% wet and loaded hitch weight is about average for a TT). Only me and DW and puppydog in the cab. But heavy options such as Lariat trim, cab steps, bed steps and tailgate step, spray-in bedliner, bed rug and a lightweight camper shell. Toolbox full of tools. If I had the HDPP, I wouldn't be overloaded with that TT, but then it's a small TT with GVWR of only 5,600 pounds and loaded to less than 5,000 pounds.
My estimate based on how I load my tow vehicle for cross-country towing is any TT with GVWR more than 6,000 pounds will overload an F-150 without a camper shell and that that doesn't have HDPP. With HDPP, then the max trailer GVWR goes up to 7,000 pounds, maybe 7,500.
Heavier TTs require an F-250 if you don't want to be overloaded. And skip the 6.2L gas engine in an F-250. It's plenty of engine for an F-150, but a weakling when installed in an F-250. So go for the wonderful PowerStroke diesel drivetrain. You'll be glad you did. Yeah, it costs a lot more, but it's worth it.
For example, my tow rating is 8,000 pounds, but I'm overloaded with my small TT that grosses only 4,870 pounds with 650 pounds hitch weight (my 13.38% wet and loaded hitch weight is about average for a TT). Only me and DW and puppydog in the cab. But heavy options such as Lariat trim, cab steps, bed steps and tailgate step, spray-in bedliner, bed rug and a lightweight camper shell. Toolbox full of tools. If I had the HDPP, I wouldn't be overloaded with that TT, but then it's a small TT with GVWR of only 5,600 pounds and loaded to less than 5,000 pounds.
My estimate based on how I load my tow vehicle for cross-country towing is any TT with GVWR more than 6,000 pounds will overload an F-150 without a camper shell and that that doesn't have HDPP. With HDPP, then the max trailer GVWR goes up to 7,000 pounds, maybe 7,500.
Heavier TTs require an F-250 if you don't want to be overloaded. And skip the 6.2L gas engine in an F-250. It's plenty of engine for an F-150, but a weakling when installed in an F-250. So go for the wonderful PowerStroke diesel drivetrain. You'll be glad you did. Yeah, it costs a lot more, but it's worth it.
My axle weights per the scale were 3260 and 3700= 6960... Gvwr per my door sticker is 7350 so I have 390 lbs of available payload...
Last edited by Mg05; 05-21-2016 at 03:05 PM.
05-23-2016, 12:28 PM
#26
Senior Member
One thing always overlooked and never thought about is axel / wheel alignment on the trailer, You would be amazed at the number of trailers out there with alignment issues.
I'm an RV Tech, usually have to send at least 3 new trailers a year to the truck shop to have there axels aligned, and that's the visually noticeable ones.
So how many are really out of alignment, i'd say almost all of them,
A trailer with an alignment issue will pull the truck around
05-24-2016, 05:57 AM
#27
How is the tire wear on the trailer?
One thing always overlooked and never thought about is axel / wheel alignment on the trailer, You would be amazed at the number of trailers out there with alignment issues.
I'm an RV Tech, usually have to send at least 3 new trailers a year to the truck shop to have there axels aligned, and that's the visually noticeable ones.
So how many are really out of alignment, i'd say almost all of them,
A trailer with an alignment issue will pull the truck around
One thing always overlooked and never thought about is axel / wheel alignment on the trailer, You would be amazed at the number of trailers out there with alignment issues.
I'm an RV Tech, usually have to send at least 3 new trailers a year to the truck shop to have there axels aligned, and that's the visually noticeable ones.
So how many are really out of alignment, i'd say almost all of them,
A trailer with an alignment issue will pull the truck around
They look fine now, but I have probably only pulled it 500 miles.
05-25-2016, 01:56 PM
#28
What I find interesting is the weight variances between axle gearing. For example, my 3.5 EB with 3:15 is rated at 8500# towing, but the 3:31 gearing is rated at 9600#. The next listing is 3:73 at 11,500#.
I am considering a TT, and what I find that sleeps 6 fall into the max GVWR between 7000 and 9600#. I have a 3500# dry weight 7500# gross New Yorker horse trailer that I have towed with a 97 Exploder. It pulled it fine, was a smooth ride, but sway when passing/being passed by a semi was unnerving and grew old quickly. When pulled with my F150, it was like it wasn't even back there. That was with two horses and tack, pretty close to being maxed out in weight.
Im not replacing my truck to suit a trailer that will be pulled only a few times a year if that, but will keep looking for the right trailer that can be pulled, yet give us the sleeping arrangement we need.
I am considering a TT, and what I find that sleeps 6 fall into the max GVWR between 7000 and 9600#. I have a 3500# dry weight 7500# gross New Yorker horse trailer that I have towed with a 97 Exploder. It pulled it fine, was a smooth ride, but sway when passing/being passed by a semi was unnerving and grew old quickly. When pulled with my F150, it was like it wasn't even back there. That was with two horses and tack, pretty close to being maxed out in weight.
Im not replacing my truck to suit a trailer that will be pulled only a few times a year if that, but will keep looking for the right trailer that can be pulled, yet give us the sleeping arrangement we need.
05-27-2016, 08:16 PM
#29
2016 trucks all get the same suspension except for the HD Payload package.
Looks like Ford put the Max Tow suspension on all trucks. Now all F150s have great payload.
From what I can see, looks like the Max Tow package for '16 adds a heavier duty hitch, better engine cooling for higher rated towing, and the 3.55 locking axle, which can be had by itself.
My 5.0L truck has a GCWR of 16,200 lbs compared to a Max Tow 3.5L Ecoboosts 16,900 lbs GCWR. I was happy having the 5.0L and only lost 700 lbs of towing while maintaining a good payload rating of 1890 lbs.
Looks like Ford put the Max Tow suspension on all trucks. Now all F150s have great payload.
From what I can see, looks like the Max Tow package for '16 adds a heavier duty hitch, better engine cooling for higher rated towing, and the 3.55 locking axle, which can be had by itself.
My 5.0L truck has a GCWR of 16,200 lbs compared to a Max Tow 3.5L Ecoboosts 16,900 lbs GCWR. I was happy having the 5.0L and only lost 700 lbs of towing while maintaining a good payload rating of 1890 lbs.
05-28-2016, 09:33 AM
#30
I drove a 16 5.0 4x4 Lariat, and it felt like a slug compared to my 2014 EB Lariat RWD. From what I have read about instability while towing in the new F150's, very glad I got the one I did. I had to rent one while mine was getting deer hair removed, so drove the exact same route for an entire week. Very good comparison between the two.