Im sure this question comes up lots of times, so please forgive me. Theres just so much info Im getting lost. Im trying to deterime If I can tow my trailer or not. Here's all the info.

2019 f150
3.5l Ecoboost with v-6
Drive type: 4x4 (parttime 4wd)
Axel Ratio 3.31 (x27)
Wheel Base: 145
Super Crew
5.5 Bed
GVWR: 7000
Front GAWR: 3375
Rear GAWR: 3800
Class 4 Trailer Package (53b)

All this information pulled from the white sticker on the truck, build sheet and Window Sticker(I got a copy)

I added a trailer brake controller and had the Dealer program it. I also have a Pro series weight distribution hitch, rated for 10,000lbs

My camper is : 2012 KZ Spree Superlite
GVWR: 8300
Weight of cargo not to exceed 850


f150

Camper

Window Sticker

 

what did you use to tow it before?

 

We just bought it, the dealer told us the towing capacity was 10,200. So we bought this camper. It was only a mile from us, and based on what the dealer said I thought we were fine. But some numbers I keep seeing say because we dont have an actual tow package, we're rated at 7000.

 

Your truck can undoubtedly PULL the trailer. Ford's 2019 RV & Trailer Towing Guide (page 18) will give you the exact Gross Combined Vehicle Weight Rating (GCVWR) of your truck based on how it's equipped. That's what trailer sales people cite when telling you you're fine with whatever they want to sell you.

The limit 1/2-ton truck owners typically run into is payload capacity. That's how much your truck can CARRY. The trailer's tongue weight is borne by the truck as part of the payload.

Based on the GVWR of the trailer and estimating the tongue weight as 1000#-1250# (12%-15% of GVWR), I'm going to guess that you'll be very close to or, more likely, over, what your truck is rated to carry.

The rated payload capacity as it left the factory is on the other door sticker. The trim level and number of options determines what's left of the GVWR for payload. Whatever you've added personally (tonneau covers, tool boxes, etc.) subtracts from the payload available for the trailer tongue weight, passengers and camping gear in the bed.

The definitive way to know is to weigh the truck. Go to a CAT scale (or other drive-on scale) with the truck loaded as you plan to load it when pulling the trailer. That includes passengers, fuel, and whatever you plan to have in the bed of the truck. Subtract the truck weight from the truck's GVWR to determine how much payload you have remaining for the tongue weight.

You can get fancy if you take the trailer with you by doing 3 weights (truck, truck and trailer with WDH springs engaged, and truck and trailer with WDH springs disengaged) and some math. That tells you the actual tongue weight and how much the weight-distributing hitch shifts to the front axle of the truck and to the axles of the trailer.

My favorite online calculator was towingplanner.com but it seems to have been abandoned. If you search you can find other sources, including some spreadsheets you can download.

 

How much you can pull is an advertising gimmick. It doesn't take into consideration tongue weight that will play into available payload, nor does it take into consideration size or wind forces (you didn't mention size but based on weight I'd guess it is close to 30' overall length?). There is a sticker in the drivers door jam, likely yellow, will say carry capacity (aka as payload). That weight equals everything you can put in and on your truck. My guess, you are around 1800# available. My guess your camper and wdh will be around 1200#. That leaves maybe 600# for occupants and anything in your bed. That will be very close to maxed out with weight without consideration of length and wind forces. You might be able to do it, your shortbed also will be less able than a longer bed. It's not my cup of tea, and not enough info to say if you are in the safe boundaries.

 

^ THIS tells you all you need to know.

 

It's right at the edge of too much trailer with a weight distribution hitch. It's definitely too much trailer without a WDH.

The math isn't hard. But people choose to solicit opinions rather than trusting the math.

The yellow sticker you didn't show us will tell you the vehicle's available payload. Let's say it's 1600 pounds (my '14 is 1470).

Now we need to know how many passengers and their weight. Four of you, we'll approximate 600 pounds.
We need to know how much your WDH weighs. Let's say 110 pounds.

We need to know the tongue weight of your trailer. GVWR is 8300 pounds; we'll assume that you've got it loaded to 8300. The tongue weight of an 8300 pound trailer is going to probably be between 830 and 1245 pounds. Let's estimate 1050.

Now start adding and subtracting.


1600-600 = 1000 after passengers are loaded.
1000-110 = 890 after the weight distribution hitch is installed.

Now's where it gets a little complicated. Your WDH is intended to shift some of the weight to the forward axle of the vehicle, and some back to the trailer, while taking some pressure off the rear axle of the vehicle. Let's say the ratio is 75% of total tongue weight going to the tow vehicle (distributed between its axles) and 25% going to the trailer. You would have to weight things to be certain.

Trailer's tongue weight after distribution: 1050*.75=787.

Add all that together: 890-787=103.

That means you have a very small amount of remaining cargo capacity within the tow vehicle. 103 pounds. A generator would weigh 110 (Predator 3500i). Clothing and food will weigh a couple hundred pounds. Some of that will end up in the trailer, some won't.

The point is, you are sooooo close to your maximum payload capacity that we can't really know whether you're over or under the max without more details. But we're down to a few hundred pounds wiggle room in either direction. It's too close to call right now, but could swing in either direction depending on the factors you haven't told us yet.

And the other point is that if you are soooo close that it comes down to the smaller details, you may have too much trailer or not enough truck.

You're asking if the vehicle you own can tow the trailer you own. The answer you want is yes. What are you prepared to do if the answer is no? You already own them.

 

8000 lbs is right on the upper limits of ANY 1/2 ton truck regardless of what it's rated to PULL. PULLING the weight is easy, it's the weight on the trucks suspension that will cause problems. 8300 lbs is in 3/4 ton territory.

The most important piece of info has not been included. There is a yellow sticker with the trucks payload printed on it. That is the determining factor. A 4X4 crew cab will usually have 1600-1800 lbs of payload. Every truck is different and it's possible yours is a bit more or less than 1600-1800.

You calculate 13% of the loaded trailer weight as tongue weight. If you load the trailer to the full 8300 lbs you'll have 1073 lbs on the hitch. Plus about another 100 for a WDH. Even if you have 1800 lbs of payload that only leaves about 600 lbs for you, passengers, and cargo.

You need to determine your payload and do your own math. Chances are that you are near the limits but can make it work if you pack carefully. You may have to leave some things at home with a 1/2 ton truck. A 3/4 ton isn't rated to pull much more weight. It's the 2500-3000 lbs of payload that lets you pull the trailer AND carry lots of gear. With 1/2 tons it's either tow a lot of weight with an empty truck or load the truck heavy and not pull a trailer.

 

Keep the trailer axles at no more than 7,000 and you should be ok on tongue weight. Grossing around 8,100.

Get a 1,200lbs WDH or 1,400 if you plan to upgrade trucks later.

The guide says your truck will tow 10,700 unless I am reading it wrong. You are just limited by the factory hitch and payload to what I mentioned above.

Personally suggest some Bilstein 4600 or 5100 rear shocks and adding a little psi to the tires before towing. The stock 20 inch size tire can be had in a 117 Michelin if you change tires.

 

Great advice so far, especially Spencer & Davido’s.

In reviewing the 2019 Ford Towing Guide, the table shows you have 10,700# towing capacity and 16,200# GCWR.
There was great debate here in 2019-20 or so whether the 53B was considered a Towing Package when Towing Package was listed by Ford as a limiting factor.
In the 2019 Ford Towing Guide, there is a specific note (5) that states Heavy Duty Towing Package required. I.e., 53A. That note is NOT referenced in reference to your truck’s limits.

Please post your truck’s yellow sticker data to lessen the guessin 😜

Your truck can handle your trailer BUT initially it will be a math exercise to keep your cargo load in spec. Haul minimal water, teach your spouse to not keep adding stuff to the trailer like it’s a fixed vacation home (HUGE bother, took my wife 3 years to get with that).

KNOWING what your truck weighs is a starting point. About $12 on a CAT Scale. Loaded with your truck carried camping gear & people. Throw the weight distribution hitch in, too. Truly eye opening.