Nature77

We thought we did our homework before buying (in 11/16) our F150: 2016,4x4, super crew, 145" wheelbase, 3.5L Vg Ecooost, 3.55 lock RR, 7000# GVWR package, Max trailer tow package.
We've towed for years, first with an old 1500 (smaller trailer), then a 2500 diesel. We were impressed with the posts on towing with this truck. We own an older 26ft Arctic Fox. Took everything to scales: truck & trailer= 13,589, trailer only= 8020, tongue wt= 1300 (we did not check this before purchase & know 1200 max). So truck (with 2 adults & dog)= 5,560 lbs. Towing is frightening! In all our towing never felt this unsafe (side to side as if hydroplaning). We have weight distribution, anti-sway, we had airbags installed, we bought heavy duty 10ply Michelin tires with no improvement. Then we noticed when hitched up trailer hitch dropped 6 inches and there was no leveling truck that much.
Now considering new, smaller trailer but not sure if this truck can really handle a trailer or could the truck be damaged. We want to add a shell so here is what I'm thinking and wondering if correct: GVRW= 7,000 minus 5,560 minus shell 330 minus gear 500 total= 640 left for tongue weight of a new trailer? We don't like the ride of the 250 or the cost. Really want to make this work, love the truck and want to get out camping. Thanks for all help.

atwowheelguy

The scales don't lie. Your numbers are correct. Forego the shell and put the gear in the trailer. This isn't Burger King. If you want to do it with an F150, you can't have it your way. With my toy hauler, I went through a progression of moving stuff out of the truck into the camper and adjusting the WDH to get my rig within the weight limits.

You have 16.2% of the trailer weight on the tongue. I think this is above average. Most have 10-15% on the tongue. My toy hauler is at 13.6%. Can you redistribute some cargo in the trailer to lighten the tongue weight? Are you hauling water?

You didn't show the weight on the truck axles when it was hooked up to the trailer. Your WDH may need adjustment to keep enough weight on the front to keep it from wandering. On mine, 16% of the tongue weight is transferred to the trailer axles, leaving 84% of the tongue weight on the truck axles. In your case that would be 5560 + (0.84 x 1300) = 6652, which would be 95% of your GVWR of 7000. That still wouldn't cure the hitch receiver from being overloaded. That should tow OK if the WDH is properly adjusted to keep enough weight on the front axle. On mine, the front is only 100 lbs. lighter than without the trailer.

With a factory payload of 1607 lbs., a tongue wt. of 900 lbs., and only the driver on board, my rig is at 94% of GVWR (460 lbs. left) and 94% of rear axle GAWR (230 lbs. left). I added TorkLift StableLoad spacers to engage the stock overload springs sooner. No Timbrens and no air bags. I have P-metric tires and it tows well weighing 94% of GVWR and only 100 lbs. lighter in the front.

VigII

First I've heard of TorkLift StableLoad spacers. I'm liking what they do. On my 09 4.6 F150, Timbrens solved my problems towing a tandem axle dump trailer. Do you engage the TorkLift StableLoad spacer after you set up your WDH?

atwowheelguy

The StableLoads change the effective spring rate. They must be turned to place the spacer between the springs before the trailer tongue is attached and compresses the gap between the springs. Engage the StableLoad, attach the trailer tongue and then adjust the WDH.