mmmkaay

Hello all. I am going to be building a special project on a trailer and it'll either be on a 12ft bumper-pull or a 20ft gooseneck. Problem is, even though the gooseneck would give me more room as a house on wheels that Im going to build, it'll be about 9k lbs by the time it's done when my truck is rated for 7800. Will electric brakes on the GN make a difference? Does anyone have any input? much thanks

2015 SCREW 4x4, 3... something gear.. maybe 3.55\

For a while now I have been incredibly tempted to buy an F350 with all options I'd want. Problem is, it would set me back 78k in a truck loan. Im trying to get out of debt so that is something I'd like to add to the equation too.

mike243

You will to have brakes on both probably at certain weights,over weight limit wont be fixed by having brakes ,2 paths ,safe or sorry ,good luck on the project

PerryB

The pin weight on that trailer is going to be its biggest limitation, with regard to a 150. Theoretically it'll be around 1800 lbs, which will push you over GVWR and GAWR (rear) before anybody or anything is placed in the truck. Brakes on both axles would be a must have on that trailer, regardless of the tow vehicle. Not negotiable.

mmmkaay

Found some specs.

GVWR, 6500 (on truck)
GCWR, 12800 (gooseneck or conventional towing)

So, 6300 lbs I can tow? If so, would this have to be in a bumper-pull? If it's a 9k lb GN trailer, how much of this would be placed squarely on the rear axle? The GN's axle's are about 6 feet from the back end of it.

EDIT: the front axle on the GN is centered under the 20ft deck. The rear axle is right behind it.

chimmike

hold on. Truck is rated for 7800lbs, and you're considering towing a 9klb trailer with it?

Gooseneck you have to figure out pin weight anyway, which may well exceed your payload and recommended max pin weight from Ford.

I'm guessing you have either the 2.7 or the 3.5 non-ecoboost?

don't do it.

mmmkaay

Im considering doing it? That's why Im asking these questions.

So if maximum load trailer weight is 7600 lbs (just found that out for sure per ford's website) and my GCWR for the truck is 6500, that would then mean tongue weight could be no more than 1100 lbs? Hasn't anyone towed a GN with an F150 before? I could have swore there were threads about it

doctorschlachter

What engine, and what is your payload?

mmmkaay

2.7EB. Inside the cab will be 300lbs, myself included.

EDIT: Says the combined weight of occupants and cargo should never exceed 1442 lbs.

PerryB

Typically right around 20%, so about 1800 lbs. as I previously mentioned. F-150's are just NOT suitable platforms for pulling a 5th/goosneck of any significant size or weight. The suspension is too limber and the rear axle isn't heavy enough, nor are the brakes.

mmmkaay

Sounds like then 1800 will be placed on the rear axle (if it ends up weighing in at 9k) plus any cargo weight which will be 2100 (over weight now)

Let me ask everyone this... what if I work backwards calculating all of this? Ex:

Weight of cargo and occupants should never exceed 1442 lbs.
Cargo weight will be 300 lbs.
Leaving 1142 lbs.
And if 1142 lbs is 20% of my GN
Then total trailer weight then would make 5,710 lbs the maximum. (1142x5=5710)
​​​​​​​And since GCWR is 12800, I might be OK (truck=6500, trailer=5710 for combined of 12,210)

Is this right?