Maximum towing capacity = Fairy Tale?
 

I think it is impossible to tow what Ford says the truck can tow.

For example, my 2016 RCSB 2.7 has those specs:

Max towing capacity: 8500 lbs

GCWR 13300 lbs
Minus; Curb Weight 4409 lbs
Minus; Hitch hardware 75 lbs
Minus; one skinny driver 150 lbs
Minus; payload 0
Minus; Tongue weight 1105 lbs (13% of 8500lbs)
Equals; Maximum trailer weight 7561 lbs; that's 1000 lbs less than what Ford says my truck can tow.

Even without a driver and zero payload I can't tow what Ford specs in their data.

Am I missing something?

I would like to buy a boat, but the boat is 6000 lbs dry, so with trailer, fuel, and accessories I will be between 8000 and 8500. When I bought the truck I thought I would be ok.

Do I have to upgrade to a F250 $$$$$$?


EDIT: I forgot to say that I have a WD hitch if that changes anything. Also, I think a boat can be towed with only 9%-10% on the hitch.

No you are not really missing anything.....you could technically hit the max tow capacity but you would have to be pulling something like a hay wagon which have really really low hitch weights compared to overall weight.


......travel trailer yes most likely a fairy tale.
......boat trailer....maybe depending on actual hitch weights.



EDIT: If you have the option to weight your truck, go load it up how you would travel with a full tank of fuel and you would be able to figure out exactly how much payload you have available.

Your numbers are a little off. As you're calculating the GCWR, you shouldn't count the tongue weight as it is part of the trailer. GCWR is the total combined weight of the truck and camper together. Going off the numbers above with no other changes and only going off of GCWR, you'd have 8666lbs left before hitting the GCWR. Now this isn't realistic when you start looking at GVWR which would be the truck, all passengers, cargo, and tongue weight combined. GVWR and rear axle limits are usually hit before GCWR with our trucks.

You are correct, the calculation is a bit off. He could in theory be within both based on a fairly base model truck.....if he actually has a GCWR of 13,300 (which is the max available).

4409 curb weight ***provided this is the true curb weight***
75 hitch
150 driver
xxx tonneau cover, accessories added, etc
xxx tools, tow straps etc
--------
4,634 minimum weight of your truck
6,010 is the lowest GVWR of a 2016 2.7l RCSB
-------
1,376 theoretical payload for trailer (could be 990lbs greater as max GVWR is 7000lbs).....either would be enough for a 8500lb boat (8500lbs * 11% = 935 lb hitch weight)
= within specs

4,634 min truck weight
8,500 boat/trailer
------
13,134 GCWR = within specs

According to the Ford towing guide for 2018, a no optioned 3.5 EB truck can have as much as 3230 pounds payload, and 13,200 max towing weight, the 5.0 can have 3270 payload but only 11,600 max towing. Payload difference is actually the difference in weight between engines, not truck.

NOW read the fine Print

Max GCWR for the F150 is 18,400 pounds and that is with the above quoted configuration with 3.55 gears. All others are based on payload and gearing. With the 3.5EB and 3.55 gears you can to the most, but is irrelevant if you don't have payload.

BTW they finally posted the Diesel tow ratings.

Thanks for the replies, but I'm not sure that the tongue weight is part of the trailer, but should be part of the payload of the truck, according to my manual. (see below).

Yes in fact I have a light truck, XL, RCSB, but it is 4X4 and has 3.73 gearing.
I took my numbers from my door name plate and from my manual, so I believe they are good.
I followed those instructions for my calculation:
Thanks.


https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.f15...0db0015057.jpg


https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.f15...c2ad6c92c6.jpg

You're confusing GCWR and GVWR. Tongue load counts against payload (GVWR) sure but in your post, you're essentially counting it against GCWR twice.

You are correct, boats usually average 5 to 7 percent on tongue weight. They also sit down between the rails of the trailer and tuck in behind the truck better so they dont need as much tongue weight. My 13 was also very light and had a high payload for non HDPP truck, it was possible with my GN horse trailer to be inside GVWR and GAWR and be over GCWR. Each trailer is set up different so you really need to check your truck with your specific trailer.

Ok, it seems I have a problem figuring where the tongue weight gets calculated.

If I take the example of Ryan_2020. The calculation gives an available payload of 1376. I agree with that number.
But what I don't understand is why the tongue weight isn't subtracted from the available payload.

GVWR; 6010
minus; minimum truck weigh ; 4634
minus; tongue weight; 850
equals 526 of available payload.
so, let's say I have 300 lbs of payload.

My new 'minimum truck weight' is now 4634 + 850 + 300 = 5734, so below my GVWR of 6010.

Then, for the available weight left for the trailer:
GCWR; 13300
minus truck weight 5734
equals 7566

I still get the same result. ???


WARNING, MAJOR EDIT

LOL, ok, now my brain made the missing connection. ;-)

Of course, the tongue weight is part of the trailer weight, it's just that it is not supported by the trailer wheels but by the truck, so that's why it has to be deducted form the truck's payload.