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Nice to see someone on the scales who actually has buffer in all their ratings!
This is without occupants. We are 5, add to this 575#. My sons account for 275# currently as they are 9, 11 and 13 yo. Within a few years, they will "grow" to above 500#. This is why I picked the HDPP and patiently waited my special order.
7 links sounds perfect. Ford recommendation is to measure the front wheel fender height unloaded first. Then measure hitched and without WD bars installed. Then install the WD such that the fender height is half way between the two measurements. Sounds exactly like what you have going there.
The trailer was a bit nose up so I lowered the hitch head by 1 position and used 7 links. Handling is very good now and the trailer looks level. I will revisit the scale to check my numbers. I still have a rake on the truck, hard to make an HDPP to squat.
7 links sounds perfect. Ford recommendation is to measure the front wheel fender height unloaded first. Then measure hitched and without WD bars installed. Then install the WD such that the fender height is half way between the two measurements. Sounds exactly like what you have going there.
I did this exactly by the book with my 2016 and it handled like crap. Trailer would sway above 65. When I returned fender height to unloaded all sway was gone, and handled properly. Too bad the steering is goofy or it would be a pleasant tow. With the Blue Ox setup by the book, my front axle weight is identical to unloaded. I don't give much faith to the Ford OM on the setup, it left too much weight off the front.
Just came back from a 350 miles camping trip with the hitch head lowered 1 position compared to when I hit the scale. Hard to believe how much difference it made. Truck is rock solid, no more squishy back, no sway at all. Very pleased with the TV/TT combo.
TT fully loaded (no water)
Axles 5676
TW 1012
Way off TW compared to dry.
Now I weighted 2 different chain tensions and unhooked. I count my chain links starting at the bar U bolt so more links means less tension. I was always using 6 links but I found the truck to still have a good rake and the handling was squishy in the rear. I tested 7 links (less tension) and I found the handling MUCH better. Truck is more level.Here are my weights (no occupants) (remember unloaded truck Front is 2926)
...............Unhooked..6 links..7 links
Front ......2574.........2948....2816
Rear .......3740.........3190....3388
TT axles...5764........5940....5852
As you an see, at 6 links (more tension) the front axle receives some weight from the trailer. At 7 links (less tension) the front is lighter than unloaded. But the setup with less tension is the more stable one. I noticed that the setup with more tension, the trailer is slightly unleveled to the back by about an inch on the whole length. With less tension, everything is leveled but the front axle is lighter than unloaded. Do you guys see any problems with that?
I will try lowering he hitch head by 1 hole (1.25 in) and redo my test drive and weighting.
Here is a pic with 6 links (more tension) (scale is in kg)
Nice setup you got there. should tow like a dream now.
So your truck with all your hitch stuff had more payload than what it says on the door sticker? Was the gas tank full?
I have a 2018 8' Scab HDPP and I weighed mine the first week I got it. with the gas tank full it was 153lbs lighter than calculated from the payload sticker, but it was on my way out of the dump so I just chocked it up to error in the scale. Now I see yours is about the same.
Not that it matters 2381 from the door sticker is more than enough payload for what I need, but it looks like ford might be calculating the 2018s more cautiously than previous years. Or including that 150lb jockey.
Going to take my truck and trailer to a certified scale once I pass the 1600km mark will find out then for sure.
Nice setup you got there. should tow like a dream now.
So your truck with all your hitch stuff had more payload than what it says on the door sticker? Was the gas tank full?
I have a 2018 8' Scab HDPP and I weighed mine the fist week I got it. with the gas tank full it was 153lbs lighter than calculated from the payload sticker, but it was on my way out of the dump so I just chocked it up to error in the scale. Now I see yours is about the same.
Not that it matters 2381 from the door sticker is more than enough payload for what I need, but it look like ford might be calculating the 2018s more cautiously than previous years. Or including that 150lb jockey.
Going to take my truck and trailer to a certified scale once I pass the 1600km mark will find out then for sure.
Tank was full, my hitch was in the receiver and I had about 80lbs in the bed. I put that to error in the scale and probably margin by Ford.
Whatever you do, dont put a 93 octane tune on that 5.0 and then run 91 octane in it while towing in the rockies, lol.
Its amazing how light these new trucks are. Even an HDPP with the heavier duty frame, springs, and axles are pretty light. My horse truck is close to 6200 lbs without me in it and with a full tank of gas.
Nice setup you got there. should tow like a dream now.
So your truck with all your hitch stuff had more payload than what it says on the door sticker? Was the gas tank full?
I have a 2018 8' Scab HDPP and I weighed mine the first week I got it. with the gas tank full it was 153lbs lighter than calculated from the payload sticker, but it was on my way out of the dump so I just chocked it up to error in the scale. Now I see yours is about the same.
Not that it matters 2381 from the door sticker is more than enough payload for what I need, but it looks like ford might be calculating the 2018s more cautiously than previous years. Or including that 150lb jockey.
Going to take my truck and trailer to a certified scale once I pass the 1600km mark will find out then for sure.
Mine was also lighter than the sticker on a Cat Scale, but only by 20 lbs.. And that was after adding Airlift airbags, 33" Wrangler duratracs and a catch can. Plus i had my sons car seat base and some misc stuff in the console.
06-21-2018, 08:34 AM
