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Hello everyone,
I am trying to decide on a travel trailer but before I do, help me make an educated decision. My tow vehicle is a Ford F150 Supercrew 2007 (47k miles), 14,000 payload, it has the 5.4 triton with a 3.55 axel, the GVWR is 7,050, max towing is 8,400. I had the truck weighed with full tank, passengers, and cargo; it weighed 6020 lbs. What is the most or largest trailer that I can safely tow?
You don't have 14,000# payload. From your scale numbers, you only have about 1030# payload (GVWR 7050# - 6020#). You are presumably referencing your theoretical tow capacity, and that won't likely ever be available to you, as your payload will limit the weight of your trailer. If you target a tongue weight of 13%, your max trailer weight with EVERYTHING LOADED--propane, battery, water, gear, supplies--would be about 7900#. From that you'd have to subtract the weight of your WD hitch (100-150#). This assumes your receiver is rated for 1100# with the WD hitch. I'd not be comfortable towing more than 6000-6500# of trailer.
Last edited by icantdrive55; Jun 23, 2024 at 02:49 PM.
How frisky are you, and general condition of the truck? I also would stay closer to the 26' overall length, and 6000# total weight, not unloaded weight. Maybe a bit more with in-state travels.
There are some that would do that. For me, I have a better optioned and capable truck than yours, I would not. That is a lot of trailer behind you. Again it would depend. Short in-state destinations, maybe. You would be at the high end of weight, and length, with only a fair capable truck. IMO
You're right, I meant 14000# GCWR. With weight distribution my receiver is rated at 9900# and a 990# tongue weight.
That is the maximum rating of the receiver installed on ANY vehicle.
Regardless of the listed payload rating on your truck, the true payload REMAINING for towing tongue weight is the truck GVWR minus your measured weight, 1030#.
Travel Trailer recommended tongue weight percentage is 15. So a TT around 6700# based on initial math. Plus the trailer tongue weight carried by the truck.
The weights carried on the trailer tongue and axles get added for trailer GVWR. So a TT towed weight of 7000-7500# would be my final answer I usually recommend erring to the low side on towed weights for a more comfortable tow.
How frisky are you, and general condition of the truck? I also would stay closer to the 26' overall length, and 6000# total weight, not unloaded weight. Maybe a bit more with in-state travels.
What @SpencerPJ is getting at is that there can be quite a difference between towing “legally” aka technically below weight limits and “comfortably” meaning you can calmly and comfortably tow what’s behind you without white knuckles. I would agree 6000# unless you know what 7000-8000# will be like with that truck.
I got a camper that’s close to those specs that I pull all the time with my ‘14 5.0 with 3.31s. I believe my camper is 26’ box with a 5,700lb dry weight. Never had a problem but I am getting ready to swap to 3.73 gears as I’m not as happy with how it tows after going to 33’s.
Always pay attention to how you load the trailer as well as a lot of people tend to just throw everything on the front bed ending up with way to much tongue weight.
Trailer Weight Help
I usually recommend erring to the low side on towed weights for a more comfortable tow.
