Towing - Self Comprehension Check
 

Hey guys been looking at RV's for the past couple of weeks, doing all my research and no matter what i do, im not sure if im right on my numbers.

Looking possibbly to buy this TRAILER
GVWR - 8,600 lbs
Dry Weight - 6,700 lbs
Hitch Weight - 560 lbs

Towing with my F150 Platinum
GVWR - 7700 LBS
Empty Weight - 6300 LBS (Fully loaded with fuel)
3.5L EcoBoost
4x4 3.73 Gears
Max Tow Package


So fully loaded trailer probably around 8000 LBS, @ 12% tongue weight around 950 LBS. Everything should be fine as long as i keep my Vehicle weight under that 7700 LBS right?

7700-6300 = 1400 LBS for all passengers, equipment and trailer?
1400-950 = 450 LBS for passengers and equipment?

Is this trailer barely making the cut? Is it way too much, or should it be fine as long as its just me and my wife (350 LBS between both of us). Should i be considering something much different?

personally, I would be fine with those numbers and would tow that trailer without hesitation. just ensure that you take your time and set up your WDH properly.


others on the forum will tell you that you need more truck.

I would say you are close but ok. Just watch the weight distribution in the trailer and do a good job setting up the hitch.

Rethink with a smaller and/or lighter camper. Do the math based upon the payload sticker on your door frame.


Here are my numbers as an example:


Weight Distributing Hitch 80 pounds
5 persons w/personal items and child seat 850 pounds
Cargo in the truck bed 300 pounds
Tonneau and BedRug 200 pounds
Trailer Tongue 682 pounds (12% of a 5687 pound max wet weight camper)
Total Payload Required: 2112
Door Sticker Payload 2205 (Heavy Duty Payload XLT)


I am near my maximum capacity with a much lighter camper (Rockwood Roo 21SS). Your truck payload sticker will probably be between 1250 and 1450 pounds. I would suggest you either downsize your trailer plans or upgrade your tow vehicle.


Many tow quite successfully over their rating, and will argue that the engineers have placed a substantial fudge factor in the ratings. For myself and my family, I would rather error on the side of safety.


Remember, camping is supposed to be fun, and to get away from it all. Taking it all along with you in a too-large camper, and worrying about towing, or having to make after-the-fact modifications to your truck to remedy the symptoms of too large a trailer, don't make it fun.

Should be ok. Nice trailer. My only concern would be the length of it. A little long for my comfort level. I would consider a blue ox or ProPride WDH.
Remember its not just going but being able to stop..............

I think his numbers work out fine. It seems to me like he has already weighed his truck and knows what it actually weighs. He's already added 1300lbs of cargo for 2 adults (way more than usual for weekenders). Not everyone has 500lbs of stuff in their truck bed...

For his use, I think he should be OK with that trailer.

His numbers look fine.

Alt255 I know what you are going through. For us it was TV CCC (1702#) to start with. First trailer was too big (9200#) for my F150 SCREW (3.5 EB, 6.5', GVWR 7050, curb 5402#). Next the trailer we picked had a CCC of 1000, which apparently was really low but possibly manageable.


Next I learn about GCWR and given mine is 7050 - 5400(curb weight) I have 1650 of cargo capacity left. Like you, I consider 500 for passengers, leaving me 1150 for cargo including tongue.


So I'm wondering on a 7600# trailer can I do it and be safe? We plan to travel so there will be multiple trips.

I think you are right in the sweet spot. Left yourself some room for error, not leaving too much on the table. Nice work on the calculations and figuring it out yourself. Also nice work on showing some restraint in your trailer choice.

This ^^^^^^ Read the Payload sticker.

+10 Endless threads suggesting you look at the payload sticker on the door jamb of your truck first.

On my 2010 Lariat, payload limit is just 1450 pounds.

My truck topper and hitch = 250 pounds at least, lets say 300. Add another 500 pounds for driver, passenger and dog. Add another 100 pounds for various personal items. Add the two Ford bed side steps I installed, lets say they weigh a total of 80 pounds (40 pounds each). Maybe those Ford steps are lighter, I don't know.

That leaves me 470 pounds. Divide by .12 means a trailer weighing 3900 pounds (not dry weight either, thats fully loaded with water, propane and gear).

Add any stuff in the bed of the truck: camping gear, bicycles, etc., say 200 pounds of stuff, and it would only leave me 270 pounds for tongue weight (2250 pound trailer).

All this with a 5.4V8, towing package, etc.

Use eiither of those figures and you end up with a really small trailer.

We tow a 17' Casita fiberglass trailer, dry weight ~ 2500 pounds, loaded more like 3250 pounds. Below my 3900 pound estimate, but well over the second estimate.