smokeywren

GCWR and tow rating are not the limiter as to how heavy a trailer your F-150 can tow without exceeding any of Ford's weight ratings.

GVWR and payload rating is the limiter (assuming the receiver hitch can handle the hitch weight of the trailer).

So I would use the 7,600 pounds tow rating (12,600 GCWR) of the 3.31 axle in the RV and Trailer Towing Guide, as the absolute max trailer weight the drivetrain could PULL with an empty truck with nothing in it but a skinny driver. But most people would be over the GVWR of the F-150 with any trailer that weighed move than about 6,000 pounds.

So instead of fretting about GCWR and tow ratings, load the F-150 with everything and everybody that will be in it when towing, fill up with gas, then weigh the wet and loaded pickup. Subtract the weight of the wet and loaded pickup from the GVWR of the pickup and the answer is the available payload capacity for hitch weight. Subtract 100 pounds for the weight of a good WD hitch from that available payload capacity, and the answer is the max tongue weight of a tandem-axle trailer you can tow without being overloaded. Divide that max tongue weight by 0.13 and the answer is the real-world tow rating (max trailer weight) for that wet and loaded pickup. It's probably going to be a lot less than 7,600, but it might be a hair over 5,000 pounds, depending on the weight of people and stuff in the pickup.


My F-150 is overloaded with a small TT that grosses 4,870 pounds when wet and loaded on the road. My tow rating is 8,400 (GCWR 14,000) so the real world is not even close to that tow rating.

11screw50

As usual, your explanation is right on track for trucks prior to 2015. Fortunately, thanks to the reduction in weight, payload and/or GVWR often are not the limiting factor (although it can be for 2.7EB without the payload package and 3.5NA trucks). GCVWR often is the limiting factor for the new trucks.

my tow rating is 9100lb. GCVWR is 14400lb. Payload is 1818lb.

9100lb at 13% is 1183lb leaving 635lb for people and gear. Certainly possible to come in under that but it would put me over GCVWR.

The problem is a trailer at 9100lb plus the truck at 5182lb (7000-1818) leaves only 118lb available to stay under GCVWR. But payload is not the problem.

sdmartin65

The factory towing guide is a decent comprehensive guide that the average truck consumer should use when towing. A truck is the new sedan for many consumers today and many have no idea what they are doing when selecting a TT.

My 75 year old father is a good example. He bought a 4500 lb TT to tow with his Ridgeline. Within its capabilities but over on payload, we ended up buying a Toad to keep from destroying the suspension.

smokeywren

Smart move - provided you can afford a Trailer Toad. With a Trailer Toad taking care of most of the hitch weight, you can then use the GCWR as your limiter.
http://www.trailertoad.com/catalog/i10.html


The image below shows a Trailer Toad connected to the trailer with a WD hitch. What you cannot see is the shank that goes into the receiver hitch of the tow vehicle with virtually no hitch weight on the tow vehicle. So with the Trailer Toad, you can use the GCWR instead of the GVWR of the tow vehicle as your limiter as to how heavy a trailer you can tow without being overloaded.

acdii

Is this the one you refer to?
http://www.fleet.ford.com/resources/...e_r3_Oct19.pdf

The maximum weight with that engine, gearing and WB is 7600#. The limiting factor of 5000# is due to not having a trans cooler installed. That is what you get along with the smart trailer connections with the tow package. Have him get a trans cooler installed and he can tow to the max his payload allows or GCWR.

Gene K

Finally! Thank You! The earlier versions of this guide only say 3.31 instead of 3.15/3.31 in that location.

The online configurator still automatically adds 3.31 gears when you put in only 500 lb Towing and fails to give a tow rating if you use 3.15 gears

At least now we know his insurance should be good with his 4500 lb car trailer.

BTW in reference to payload being the issue on these trucks he has a 1800 lb payload so it's not a huge issue on a low option regular cab. Kind of interesting that his truck is almost 600 lb lighter than my Scab 4x4.

Hurricane77

Looks like the confusion might have been that your friend has 2017? The 2016 doesn't look like it was available in that engine/gearing combination. If I use the ford configuration tool and select a 2016, 4x2, 2.7EB and 3.15 gear, it says there are no options available.

Gene K

2016 F150 4x2 Rcab 122
XL 101A Sport 2.7EB 3.15
Factory Hitch

That's the problem. The truck does exist. I'm guessing a running change in standard gear that never got added to configurator.

Doesn't really matter. We will just use the 2017 numbers.

I think Trans Temp Gauge and Digital Trans Temp in the Productivity Screen is standard but the Truck also came with the 4-Pass Aux Trans Cooler.

Only difference we can for this truck for the $800 difference between hitch option and trailer tow package is Alternator and possibly the front swaybar and battery. Truck even had the wiring for the Ford Trailer Brake Controller.

His open car trailer is under 5000 lb so he should be okay on warranty anyway.

SixShooter14

IIRC, all models and trims have the wiring for the ITBC.

Gene K

Okay, some debate had occured about whether trucks without the factory hitch had the required harness since the hitch (or an option package or trim level containing the hitch) is a required option in order to get the brake controller.