Crunching the numbers

[Going West]

We are considering purchasing a travel trailer and want to make sure I've got the right truck for this model trailer. I have Ford F-150 Supercrew cab with 5.0 liter engine. I am looking at Coachman Catalina 2018 model 263 RLS. The GVWR on the truck in 7000 and on the trailer is 7700 pounds. The dry weight of the truck is reported at 4709 and of the trailer is 6052 (with propane).

After factoring in the weight of my passengers I estimate about 1100 pounds of payload capacity left on the truck. Adding a full tank of fresh water I estimate payload capacity remaining on the trailer at about 1250.

Do these numbers seem right. Has anyone pulled this trailer with this truck? Any advice?

Thanks, GW

[Dutch Star David]

Originally Posted by Going West

We are considering purchasing a travel trailer and want to make sure I've got the right truck for this model trailer. I have Ford F-150 Supercrew cab with 5.0 liter engine. I am looking at Coachman Catalina 2018 model 263 RLS. The GVWR on the truck in 7000 and on the trailer is 7700 pounds. The dry weight of the truck is reported at 4709 and of the trailer is 6052 (with propane).

After factoring in the weight of my passengers I estimate about 1100 pounds of payload capacity left on the truck. Adding a full tank of fresh water I estimate payload capacity remaining on the trailer at about 1250.

Do these numbers seem right. Has anyone pulled this trailer with this truck? Any advice?

Thanks, GW

You need to look at a few more numbers: Tongue weight of trailer, rear axle capacity of the F-150, CGWR of truck. The salesman will tell you no problem. Verify, and re-verify.

[keymastr]

The tongue weight of the trailer will be 13% of the gross weight of the trailer. The tongue weight they advertise is for an empty trailer that doesn't even include a battery or other dealer installed options like awnings or even AC sometimes. I would bet the weight of the empty trailer as it sits on the dealers lot is closer to 7000 pounds than 6000. In any case you always figure tongue weight based on the gross trailer weight, in this case 7700 pounds. Multiply by 13% and your tongue weight may be as high as 1000 pounds plus 100 pounds for the hitch itself. With careful packing you could get away with it but it leaves you no room for error. Too close in my opinion.

[MightyMX]

Had a 15 F150 Lariat super crew w/ 3.5l and weight with me, girlfriend and fuel tank came in at 5500 on the scales. Max weight on hitch was around 1250 with WD set up. Towed a 5500lb TT (23 ft) and was good. Came in under weight.

With your numbers (looked up the trailer), I would say you are GTG. Get a WDS and that 720ish weight for hitch weight will piece of cake to tow. imo