Payload Central - Please check in!
08-01-2013, 03:50 PM
#31
First of all thanks again you guys are crazy helpful. I thought that I had to take anything added in passengers, cargo, accessories PLUS the weight of the trailer on the hitch (likely 4-500 pounds) and that total number could not exceed the cargo carrying number on the sticker (which is 1200)? I would assume if I exceed that I will also be exceeding GVWR? I assume my truck weighs more than your 5500 or my cargo number would be higher? Is it not really as simple as truck + cargo rating =GVWR? I must really be a pain but you are really teaching me some things here and I appreciate it.
08-01-2013, 03:50 PM
#32
You would think that is what it would be, but thats not always true. Base curb weight for my truck (2011 S-Cab 5.0 4x4 145wb) is 5461# but I tip the scales last I checked at closer to 5530#. That 1249# is Ford to cover their *****es when people overload their trucks.
Best thing to do is go find a scale somewhere and weigh you truck. I go to local stone place to buy rocks and mulch a lot and weigh mine there for free. Once you know you true curb weight then you can start working out all the other numbers.
Best thing to do is go find a scale somewhere and weigh you truck. I go to local stone place to buy rocks and mulch a lot and weigh mine there for free. Once you know you true curb weight then you can start working out all the other numbers.
08-02-2013, 07:21 AM
#34
Member
Thread Starter
That all makes good sense guys and I appreciate it. My problem is a family of 4 averaging 150 pounds nets me 600 + 50 bed liner + 100 WDH + 75 pound lab and I am literally at 375 pounds tongue capacity without bringing an ounce of cargo in the truck. There is very little I can get under 375 pound tongue weight. It is my own fault as I had no idea max tow added payload as well. An extra couple hundred pounds capacity would be like gold. I feel so stupid not having a better understanding of this limitation and it is going to end up costing me.
Green18, as others have said, I hope you are able to move some things around and get a travel trailer that suits you and your family. If you would be interested in a popup, there are many that would easily be less than 375 lb tongue weight. I currently have a Rockwood Premier 2516G that I tow with my Jeep Wrangler Unlimited with no troubles. The dry hitch weight is less than 300 lbs so even loaded you would be fine with this example. This particular model even has a potty/shower combination which is a 'must' feature for my family with small children! It's great for the middle of the night bathroom breaks, etc. (I wouldn't recommend #2 in the potty, if you know what I mean...).
Good luck!
08-02-2013, 08:11 AM
#35
^^ This is exactly why I started this thread and I appreciate all the helpful replies. I am fortunate to have realized the payload conundrum BEFORE I purchased a truck. Whew.
Green18, as others have said, I hope you are able to move some things around and get a travel trailer that suits you and your family. If you would be interested in a popup, there are many that would easily be less than 375 lb tongue weight. I currently have a Rockwood Premier 2516G that I tow with my Jeep Wrangler Unlimited with no troubles. The dry hitch weight is less than 300 lbs so even loaded you would be fine with this example. This particular model even has a potty/shower combination which is a 'must' feature for my family with small children! It's great for the middle of the night bathroom breaks, etc. (I wouldn't recommend #2 in the potty, if you know what I mean...).
Good luck!
08-02-2013, 11:15 AM
#36
Thanks Brady, I appreciate it. It really ruins your day when you realize your own mistake is going to cost you the entire reason you got the truck. I certainly wish I had a better understanding of this instead of being so focused on tow rating. At this point I am considering still getting a light travel trailer but only camping reasonably close over the next year so I can make two trips, bringing the family on the second. Many times I would probably go out a day or two ahead anyway. Then maybe next year at clearance time trade out for a higher payload model so I don't get completely killed on trade. I hate thinking of trading as I just did line-x and love the truck overall. This is kind of a showstopper issue.
I'm just throwing out a number, but I would venture to guess that 90% of (non 3/4 or 1 ton) people tow over payload. The WDH will transfer 20% or so of the tongue weight back to the trailer. Put your dog in a crate in the trailer. Get some air bags, etc. to stabilize the back end (it won't increase payload). Carry nothing else in the truck other than the family. It won't be ideal, but keep your speed down and you should be fine.
08-02-2013, 03:14 PM
#37
That is what the RV dealer is telling me. They are basically saying to do air bags, go to trailer tires and using the WDH I won't have a thing to worry about. Of course I don't trust a thing they say but I do think those things will benefit me regardless. I am still trying to limit my search to lighter trailers than I originally planned.
08-02-2013, 04:52 PM
#38
Senior Member
just for ref. I have 11' F150 fx4 5.0 145" wb sup crew loaded out minus navi..#1246 on door jamb
08-03-2013, 06:46 AM
#39
08-03-2013, 08:30 AM
#40
Senior Member
I would do what packplantpath suggested, load up your truck with the family, full tank of fuel and whatever you might throw in the bed of the truck and hit your local Cat scale. Minus that weight from your 7200lb gvwr and that is what you have available for payload. A WDHitch does transfer about 20% of the tongue weight back onto the trailer. You can certainly tow more than a pop-up!! Lol!! Checkout the Keystone Passport line. They have a bunch of lite weight travel trailers with tongue weights in the 500-600lb range. Good luck,
Kevin
Kevin