cnsranch

Man, am I confused......

I have a 2009 STX, 4.6L 2V 3.73 rear end, Towing Package, 4WD, 126" WB, standard cab.

Trying to decide between a 5er and a travel trailer.

The more I research, the more confused I get re trailer weight.

Here's what I've found:

6650# GVWR Package
GCWR - 11,100#
Vehicle Weight - 4,970#
Payload Capacity - 1,660#
Towing Capacity - 11,300#

How in the heck can my towing capacity and GCWR be almost identical?
"By the math", my trailer's GVWR should be approx. 3,900#.......

My manual says 5,700#, and the towing capacity says 11,300#

There's only two of us, so we're really looking for a 24-26 footer.

Help me, Obi Wan, my head's exploding.....

mbopp

Forget about the 5er with the 4.6.
And where are you getting 11,300#, I see that with the 5.4.
Is that the payload off the door sticker?

ragerjr

Here is your towing guide for 2009 F150.

http://www.ford.com/assets/pdf/towin...ailerGuide.pdf

This says your max towing cap is 5700# like your manual says. The 11300# is on a different setup then yours. All this information is from page 17 of the guide listed above. Which ever way you go either 5er or TT make sure you figure your tongue weight off of the GVWR of the camper not the dry weight. If you go with a 5er then you need account for the hitch weight and minus it off of your payload cap. I think most 5er hitchs are around 200 + lbs (not sure, I use a gooseneck setup to pull my 5er around). A Weight distrobution hitch is around 50lbs so I have been told. I hope this helps. I am sure everything is clear as mud now to you. LOL.

tuffy29

Your towing capacity is 5700 pounds as per manual.

http://assets.forddirect.fordvehicle...B9E84927B9.pdf

Check page number nine.

cnsranch

Thanks, all.

Now - how 'bout a 5er vs. a tt? Again, there's only two of us - we've gone the route of Class C's and Class A's - now we want something light, with a slide, no longer than 25".

Frankly, I like the 5er's bed being elevated - something about it makes it seem larger, or something.

What way you?

ragerjr

I am like you I like the 5ers too. Because they pull a lot better than a Tag (bumper pull) trailer. Again you just have to watch your weight. I would recommend that you put a gooseneck hookup (50lbs) instead of a fifth wheel hitch (200lbs) in the truck because of your weight. That is if you go the route of a 5er. Not sure you will find one low enough for you though.

mbopp

To even have a chance at a 5er you'd have to find one with a MAX gross weight of 5500#, and I don't know of any. Even the small (26-1/2') TT in my sig weighs 4700# EMPTY.

PistonPuller

With only two of you and wanting something under 25' I would just get a TT. You can get them with slides and plenty of room. Plus today's TT's are much lighter than the older ones. You would have room to store stuff in the bed.