Towing Capacity and vehicle upgrades for towing
08-08-2016, 06:40 PM
#71
Most of the older trucks had a payload of under 5500 lbs. Manufacturers like Ford and IH changed from the 100 to 150 and Chevy came out with the Big 10 to get over the 6200 lb gvw so they didn't have to use a catalytic converter in 1975.
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Velosprout (08-08-2016)
08-09-2016, 09:29 AM
#72
Y'all missed the point. I am not saying today's trucks are not as good as the old ones, I am saying that a good majority of them are "luxury" items and are optioned to the gills, which takes away from its towing ability. As 5.0 pointed out, look at what his truck is optioned with. 
Rubber floor, cloth seats, and basic package. If you get a loaded out Platinum Crew Cab, unless it also has HDPP and Max Tow, you are pretty much relegated to towing a small box and not much more. Even then it will have a reduce payload due to all the weight of the options, like sunroof, bling, and any other options added to it.
When I shopped for my trailer, I was a bit shocked when I found out my payload was only 1470#. My truck is just a standard Lariat Screw RWD, base package, only options are the tailgate step, 20" wheels and trailer brake controller. The combination of short short bed and crew cab reduced its payload quite a bit. Regardless of its payload, the Axle ratings are only 4050#, and I easily exceeded it with people in the truck with the trailer attached, so even if I had a 1600# payload, the axle rating was exceeded. Then again, when I bought my truck, towing a travel trailer was not in it's future, just my horse trailer if the need arose, which it hasn't, it's still parked in the barn where it has sat now for 4 years. If I were to buy another truck, first thing I would be looking at would be payload and gearing.
Rubber floor, cloth seats, and basic package. If you get a loaded out Platinum Crew Cab, unless it also has HDPP and Max Tow, you are pretty much relegated to towing a small box and not much more. Even then it will have a reduce payload due to all the weight of the options, like sunroof, bling, and any other options added to it.When I shopped for my trailer, I was a bit shocked when I found out my payload was only 1470#. My truck is just a standard Lariat Screw RWD, base package, only options are the tailgate step, 20" wheels and trailer brake controller. The combination of short short bed and crew cab reduced its payload quite a bit. Regardless of its payload, the Axle ratings are only 4050#, and I easily exceeded it with people in the truck with the trailer attached, so even if I had a 1600# payload, the axle rating was exceeded. Then again, when I bought my truck, towing a travel trailer was not in it's future, just my horse trailer if the need arose, which it hasn't, it's still parked in the barn where it has sat now for 4 years. If I were to buy another truck, first thing I would be looking at would be payload and gearing.
08-10-2016, 06:21 AM
#73
My truck is a base XL Screw with a 6.5 ft bed. 4wd 5.0 3.55 gears. As for heavy towing I'm not going to try and pull my 5th wheel over the Rockies. It will be on fairly level roads and a distance of about 250 miles max. I usually don't travel over 60 mph. Eason
08-10-2016, 07:33 AM
#74
Sounds similar to my truck equipment wise. Mine is a SCAB 4x4 with 3.55s and the 5.0 4x4. It does fine with my GN. How big is your 5th wheel?
08-11-2016, 09:36 PM
#78
Going to be test towing a 6300 lb travel trailer on Saturday. Here locally in Missouri. Not the hilliest area, but some decent hills both on highway and gravel. Should be a good tell all. I will be giving a review afterward.
08-12-2016, 05:05 AM
#79
Senior Member
When I shopped for my trailer, I was a bit shocked when I found out my payload was only 1470#. My truck is just a standard Lariat Screw RWD, base package, only options are the tailgate step, 20" wheels and trailer brake controller. The combination of short short bed and crew cab reduced its payload quite a bit. Regardless of its payload, the Axle ratings are only 4050#, and I easily exceeded it with people in the truck with the trailer attached, so even if I had a 1600# payload, the axle rating was exceeded. Then again, when I bought my truck, towing a travel trailer was not in it's future, just my horse trailer if the need arose, which it hasn't, it's still parked in the barn where it has sat now for 4 years. If I were to buy another truck, first thing I would be looking at would be payload and gearing.
08-12-2016, 11:06 PM
#80
Here is my truck all hooked up this morning, 3 horses on board and fully loaded got a show. Trailer weighs right at 9k in this photo. Truck is bone stock, no airbags, no tune, no helper springs etc. We are right at max GVWR and GAWR. This is about as perfect a matched pair as you can get.