How accurate are the measurement manufacturers put on their websites? Looking to purchase a 2023 Flagstaff 25FKB and the advertises the following specs. I have a 2023 F150 Lariat Power PowerBoost with a GVWR of 7,350 and a carrying capacity of 1,500. I downloaded an app called GVWR and it says I am good with putting 1,000 lbs in the trailer and 600 lbs in the truck (wife, me, dog (small - 8 lbs) and smaller cooler). The App put my tongue weight at 718 lbs, leaving me with 182 lbs below the limit. Does tongue weight/hitch weight change based on how much you load into the trailer or is it fixed at 778lb? Also, is 182 lbs below the limit sufficient?

 

Someone on the Forest River forums site can probably give you a good idea about true weights.
The website will be low as it doesn't include battery, propane or any options. Not sure about the empty propane tanks. Also were are the water tanks located? It could make a big difference.

It looks like the app is assuming 10% TW which is not good for campers, 13% is generally a good target to avoid sway while keeping reasonable TW. Your TW will probably be about 1,000lbs. So close, but maybe ok. Someone on here or the Forest River forums had an F350 with a Signature series and sway issues, turned out to be do to a 10% TW.

My TT is a little longer and heavier but I also have more truck payload and maybe a longer wheel base. Mine towed ok and I believe safe but uncomfortable in moderate winds. I upgraded to a Pro Pride and now it is a very comfortable tow. If you need a WDH I would suggest starting with the PP3 for anything close to the limits, if you have one try it and see.

 

Some real world examples

My trailer specs are 5300lbs from the factory, 790lbs tongue weight and a CCC of almost 2500lbs. It's an avenger 21RSB 28' long.
real world 6600lbs with 950-975lb tongue weight.
I've towed it just over 20,000 miles and with an equalizer 4pt I've had no issues. Typically, my trucks weight is right around 7000lbs when you add in tongue weight. I know some folks here think you should have some imaginary "safety factor" based on their made-up value, but after 20K miles towing this setup I'm quite sure the Ford engineers know what they are doing when they say the truck is good for 7050 lbs.

Safe travels

 

I frequent a couple RV Forums, in general, published weights seem to be on the light side. I also would get on a FR forum and ask around. As far as what is ok to pull, as one above mentioned, he pulls on the high end, and does it well. He has a good wdh, dialed in good, is conscious of his weights, and has the 6.5 bed (and that is a big difference). With my truck (in signature), your trailer would be at the upper end of what I would do, but then again I like throwing a couple hundred pounds of firewood in front door for my extended weekend camping.

 

To give you an idea, the published tongue weight of my TT is 568 lbs. Actual is right around 900. Loaded and ready to camp, the TT is 7,000 lbs.

 

Lets look at this a different way.

Add up the weight of every family member traveling with you. Throw in 40lbs each for clothing and whatever your family like to have inside the truck. Add in fuel. Now how much of that 1500lbs payload is left?

What's the Gross weight rating of the trailer? I'm guessing 7k. If you fill the fresh tank that adds 450lbs. Other tanks....up to you. Add Battery for trailer 40lbs each. Propane tanks 80lbs. Add Food, toys etc etc

Remember, you are always heavier than you think you are or want to be

I've got a higher payload than you, and scaled over 12,160. That was with me, 36 gallons fuel, tools for my wheeling truck and spares. I'm heading out with more stuff in the bed but a trailer thats 1,000lbs less unlade.....

 

As already stated, the tongue weight listed by the manufacturer will be very unrealistic. You should expect a tongue weight of 12-13% of the "ready to go camping" loaded trailer weight. And yes, the tongue weight will vary depending upon what you are carrying (gear and/or water) as well as where it is loaded in the trailer (forward of axles / over axles / behind axles).

 

The 778 lbs listed tongue weight assumes an empty trailer. No water, no propane, no battery, no food, no cooking utensils, no other cargo.

If you load the trailer with 1000 lbs plus the weight of a WDH, that will put your tongue weight at right around 1000 lbs. 6177 empty trailer weight + 1000 lbs = 7177. 7177X.13=933 lbs. Figure another 50-100 lbs for the WDH and you're right at 1000 tongue weight. That leaves you roughly 500 lbs for passengers and cargo in the truck.

Doable, but not with much room to spare. My wife and I are a combined 360 lbs (220+140). With your truck that would leave us 140 lbs for other cargo in the truck. That trailer has a 1600 lb payload. You'll most likely end up with more than 1000 lbs in it too. Just filling up the fresh water tank will be over 500 lbs. You are borderline. You can make your truck work with this, but you'll need to pack carefully. I wouldn't travel with much, if any fresh water.

Some guys would pull this without any 2nd thoughts. I'd personally prefer a little lighter trailer.