Bar01

I thought a spread sheet might exist somewhere that I could download and then plug in the numbers after getting weighed.

Nighthawk87

In my number thread

charles_slc

e2 is a pretty low end hitch...

Might consider it's big brother, the equal-i-zier which has 4-points of sway control compared to the 2 points of the e2.

Or another higher end hitch such as the Blue-Ox, I'm happy with it.

And of course there's the ultimate no-sway hitches...Hensley or Pro-Pride.

But first double check your weights. Need 3 passes as mentioned. Make such your TW is 10-15% of the trailer weight and that your WDH is returning most the weight to the front.

atwowheelguy

I built it on my little MacBook Air.

https://drive.google.com/open?id=0Bw...DhfcGg3YjNTems

Bar01

Many thanks about the info on your spread sheet!

thrifty biil

I find Ford's tow rating grossly misleading. Get a nicely equipped truck, and it will enjoy a hefty tow rating but a relatively low payload rating. That low payload rating makes it impossible to reach the tow rating without being way over payload. And other than a work truck, how many of us don't get a loaded truck? And Ford is pushing the higher end optioned up trucks of course. Each option deducts from the payload. And then you have the dealer installed and owner installed options. In my case, the side steps I installed on both sides of my truck, plus the spray in bedliner, plus the camper top all come out of the stated payload.

My guess above is your 7100 pound trailer weight did not include tongue weight, but instead was just trailer axle weight. But that is just a wild guess on my part, you were there when it was weighed. Dry weights are almost always laughable, way under actual weight.

Were your weights taken with the truck (and trailer) packed with camping gear, dog, passengers, water, etc. Won't take much to use up that 200 pound margin.

I like to say my truck which is rated to tow up to 9,800 pound trailer, can tow a trailer that weight just fine. I just can't hook up to it......Frustrating!!

At some point, some crafty lawyer is going to file a class action lawsuit against Ford for unobtainium tow ratings. I mean, if you can win millions for a cup of hot coffee, imagine the $$ from such a suit. Just win $200 per Ford F150 owner, and you are talking billions of dollars....

acdii

Well, Ford can easily defend that kind of lawsuit. Hitch a 4 on the floor flat trailer loaded to the max GCWR and tow it up a grade. Case closed.

When you think about it, only recently has there actually been a towing standard, and not all manufacturers are fully using it yet.

charles_slc

You should add that link to your signature

SixShooter14

yep, GCWR(and Ford recommend tow rating) is my limiting factor. even with a regular 13% TW trailer.

I really need the Max Tow or 3.73 axle to take advantage of my payload rating. Oh well, it's always something.

atwowheelguy

Since 2015 the GCWR has been established by a TEST of a vehicle. It's called SAE J2807. The test is likely not conducted with a truck loaded with air conditioned seats, moon roof, extra sound insulation, five people, a cooker, a cooler and five lawn chairs and a trailer with 15% of its weight on the tongue. The engineers can't know how many people and how much junk and how many options you are going to put in your truck. The truck has to pass the test with the specified GCW without exceeding the GVWR. This is not the latest edition, but here is a copy of the first test specification approved by SAE. It's not unobtainium. Since 2015 it can be done because it has been done. There is no fraud to it. Sounds like a consulting business opportunity for truck buyers who can't figure it out to hire someone to help them. I had to hire someone to write my will.

https://drive.google.com/open?id=0Bw...G5BNnVjdUlwWGs

Don't bring lawyers and Nanny-State government regulation into the truck buying experience. Class action lawyers make my blood boil.

My truck also has a 9800 lb. tow rating with a 1607 lb. payload. If the 9800 lb. trailer had a 980 lb. tongue weight and 14% of that tongue weight was transferred to the trailer axles (my setup), then that would leave 764 lbs. for people and stuff in the truck. Entirely feasible. No problem.