I am new here and could use some help. My door sticker states 7100# GVWR. How does that relate to how much I can tow? The 2012 Ford towing guide shows my model (SC, 4x2, 5.0) can tow 8200#. I am a bit confused in figuring out exactly what my tow/bed weight limits are. Any help would be appreciated. Window sticker attached....

Thanks

 

Typically the door stickers are only used to identify the Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) which can be used to determine payload but not tow rating. Granted payload is equally as important in towing to ensure the vehicle can support the tongue weight in addition to the rest of the cargo. On the Tire & Loading sticker is the actual payload number. You can also determine dry-weight by subtracting the two. On the VIN sticker there's some additional vehicle information (such as axle code) that can be used to cross-reference towing capacity from the manufacture specs for that model year.

 

Yellow sticker indicates 1564# so minus people and a little equipment I figure that gives me close to 1000# pin/tongue weight. I looked up the VIN and all it states is GVRW of 6-10k. So I'm wondering if the towing guide which states 8200# is correct or should I assume 7100# is correct? This stuff is really a bit deceptive in my mind. Oh, and don't expect the dealer to have a clue!

 

Get down on the ground below your hitch/rear bumper and look up.


You should see a sticker that will have max gross trailer weight and tongue weights for both a bumper pull hitch and a weight distributing hitch.

 

OK, so it says, weight distributing 10,500, tongue 1050. Non-WD 5000. However, I assume that is simply the hitch capability and not the truck, correct?

 

Are you going to be pulling a gooseneck/5th wheeler?


If so, take a look at the thread linked below:


https://www.f150forum.com/f82/please...8/#post2944141




Scroll down to post#6 in that thread and you can read:





Good luck figuring it out - it is a bit confusing!!


Bob

 

7100# is the GVWR of your truck. Trailer Tongue weight + cargo + people + empty truck weight should not exceed this.

You've correctly figured that 1000# is your max tongue weight if there's only 564# of people and cargo in the truck.

Most people say a travel trailer should have at least 12% of its Loaded weight on the tongue. So 1000/0.12 is 8333# is your max loaded trailer weight based on payload and %tongue weight. (a flat bed, low side or some boat trailers can go as low as 10% tongue weight)

The 2012 F150 brochure tables need the rear end axle ratio and wheelbase as well as cab style and engine/drive train to get trailer tow capacity. If it's 3.55 with 145" wheelbase, my brochure says a 4x2 SuperCrew 5L has 8000# tow capacity. If it's a 3.73 rear end and 157" wheelbase, you can tow 9300#.

My guess is that an 8000# Loaded trailer will work ok with your truck.

And yes, the hitch numbers are just for the hitch itself. In your case, you will need a WDH for any trailer over 5000# and 500# tongue weight.

 

Thanks to everyone for the help. I'm planning on retiring in a few years and was trying to figure out if I need something with more towing capacity to have some flexibility to tow at least a 29ft fifth wheel. Sounds to me like I need to get a F250/350 to be comfortable with my plan. After all, buying $60,000 trucks after retirement will be out of the question. Thanks again.

 

I think you've made the right choice. There are very few F150's that can handle a fifth wheel without being over-loaded, and those usually have to be special ordered with the HD Payload option.

But if you are interested in a superduty with the diesel option, I would go with an F350. The diesel option adds so much more weight that some F250 diesel combinations have less payload than an F150.