F150 - Max trailer; realistic trailer

[jmartin104]

I've been reading about trailer max, payload, etc.

Here's what I believe I have:

2015 F150 3.2l V6 Ecoboost, Twin turbos, crew cab, 4X4

Curb wt. (F: 2781, R: 1915) = 4696
Passengers + 430
Fuel (23g * 8lbs) + 184
Slider hitch + 150
----------
5460

GVWR - 7000
----------
Payload: 1540

GCWR: 14300
Vehicle weight: - 5460
--------
Max trailer weight: 8840

Combined weight of occupants + cargo: <= 1892lbs
Front axle: 3375, Rear axle: 3800 (max)
Has "Tow" package

If I'm reading this right, my max payload (kingpin/tongue) is 1540 lbs and the heaviest trailer I can safely pull is just under 9K lbs. Is this correct?

Wife really wants a 5th wheel. How realistic is it to find one under these circumstances? Note: we plan to live in it for 1-3 years but not travel a lot (1-2 moves per year max).

[Jshopes81]

Are those actual scale weights or what? Seems kind of light.

[jmartin104]

Originally Posted by Jshopes81

Are those actual scale weights or what? Seems kind of light.

Not scale weights. Used tag on vehicle and VIN# research.

[tuffr2]

What kind of trailer do you want to tow? Sure you can tow a flatbed trailer with bricks loaded over the axles so not much weight is on the truck weighing 8,800lbs. No wind hitting the side of the flatbed trailer...sure.

A camping trailer with a lot if the weight on the tongue and big flat tall sides to catch any wind or tractor trailer turbulence you really can not tow a travel trailer that weighs 8,800 comfortably.

Tow ratings are really for those flatbed trailers with bricks loaded over the axle. They are not for travel trailers.

The 1,540 lb. cargo capacity is nothing special. A lot of 1/2 ton trucks have that much. The newest trucks have 1,800lb cargo capacity.

For your truck I would tow 5,500lb to 6,500lb travel trailer.

[Wileykid]

You are looking for 20% pin weight on a fifth wheel, so realistically under ideal conditions, that would be a max 7,500 lb fifth wheel trailer. You will be able to pull a bigger trailer on a hitch due to the "lower" weight (10-15%) put on the truck. Just make sure the hitch is rated for it.

This is a common thing about learning that your truck can not carry the fifth wheel you thought it could/should. I certainly did even with my 3/4 ton truck, which is why I pull a travel trailer instead of a fifth wheel (due to the size/weight I wanted).

Edit: Remember to add 100-200 lbs additional weight for the fifth wheel hitch.

[Wrktfsh]

I’ve had a number of ford techs state 8500 is the max for an f150. I’m towing a
5k 21’ box behind mine with wdh. I KNOW there is a trailer back there, I’m comfortable with it but I doubt I’d be happy with 3k more weight behind it particularly with the CA and CO mountains.

[jmartin104]

I'm going to try and locate a scale today.

Also, we would likely spend the next 1-2 years in SC, NC and TN so I think fairly flat.

[Cumminsfan]

Guessing you'll have less than 1540 for payload after weighing the truck. So a 5th wheel is out of the question.
I think people get fascinated over 5th wheels and tend to compromise when they could easily tow a much more roomy and better floor plan TT.
Problem with a low payload is it's really really limits your 5th wheel selection. You'll end up with something thats not really all that enjoyable after a season of camping because it will be fairly small. Most small 5th wheels have fewer of every thing in them and are made with cheaper (lighter) materials.

[SmokeyWren]

Originally Posted by jmartin104

Here's what I believe I have:

2015 F150 3.2l V6 Ecoboost, Twin turbos, crew cab, 4X4

No such thing. You probably meant 3.5L EcoBoost.

Payload: 1540

Based on your estimates. What is the payload capacity on the yellow sticker in your driver's door jamb?

GCWR: 14300

No, that's for a 5.0L with 3.31 axle. Your 3.5L EcoBoost SuperCrew 4x4 shorty with 3.31 axle probably has GCWR of 16,100 with max trailer weight (tow rating) of 9,900.

16,100 minus 9,900 = 6,200 curb weight with one 150-pound driver, a full tank of gas, and absolutely no options not required for the 16,100 GCWR. And no weight in the bed or cab except and that skinny driver.

But the tow rating is not your limiter as to how heavy a 5er you an tow without being overloaded. The tow rating tells you the max weight your drivetrain can PULL, but ignores payload capacity. And payload capacity is your limiter.

If I'm reading this right, my max payload (kingpin/tongue) is 1540 lbs and the heaviest trailer I can safely pull is just under 9K lbs. Is this correct?

No.

6,200 curb weight
+ 430 Passengers
-----------
6,630 truck weight without trailer
=======

7,000 GVWR minus 6,630 = only 370 pounds payload capacity available for hitch weight. If that 430 number includes the driver then add the weight of the driver back to the payload capacity available for hitch weight.

Wife really wants a 5th wheel. How realistic is it to find one under these circumstances?

The above numbers say no.

But double-check by loading the truck for towing, then fill up with gas and weigh the wet and loaded truck. Subtract the weight of the wet and loaded truck from the 7,000 pounds GVWR of the truck and the answer is the payload capacity available for hitch weight. Smaller 5ers average 20% hitch weight, so divide the payload capacity available for hitch weight by 20% and the answer is the max weight of any normal 5er you can tow without being overloaded.

[Maury82]

Originally Posted by Wrktfsh

I’ve had a number of ford techs state 8500 is the max for an f150. I’m towing a
5k 21’ box behind mine with wdh. I KNOW there is a trailer back there, I’m comfortable with it but I doubt I’d be happy with 3k more weight behind it particularly with the CA and CO mountains.

That limit don't apply to the HDPP F-150... I have one and I didn't order it to be limited to a 8,500lbs trailer.

My trailer is 37ft, 8,400lbs dry (yellow door sticker).

I'm happy and currently comfortable towing at approximately 9,500lbs or less, and I don't think I'd be happy towing over 10,000lbs.

[keymastr]

That's a nice truck Maury. It is essentially a 3/4 ton in all but the name. Park it next to a standard F150 and the difference is obvious. Great weight carrying ability but you still get the fuel mileage of the 3.5/10 speed. It is also an extremely rare truck and in no way should a person try to tow anywhere near what you do with most F150s.

[jmartin104]

I had weight done with full tank and two passengers: 5640lbs (my estimate was low 180lbs).

Smokey,

Yes, 3.5. I can't find the edit button for my post.

The yellow sticker states "max combined weight of occupants & cargo: 1892 lbs" so that's what I assumed as the payload.

No, that's for a 5.0L with 3.31 axle. Your 3.5L EcoBoost SuperCrew 4x4 shorty with 3.31 axle probably has GCWR of 16,100 with max trailer weight (tow rating) of 9,900.

I have the locking 3.55 upgrade. According to my VIN lookup, it's 14,300. I have to admit, I'm getting mixed info on this so far.

The above numbers say no.

That's what we were afraid of.

[Jshopes81]

Look at travel trailers, theyre more in line with what a 1/2 ton can tow if you dont get into the 30+ foot ones.

[Cumminsfan]

Originally Posted by jmartin104

I had weight done with full tank and two passengers: 5640lbs (my estimate was low 180lbs).

Smokey,

Yes, 3.5. I can't find the edit button for my post.

The yellow sticker states "max combined weight of occupants & cargo: 1892 lbs" so that's what I assumed as the payload.



I have the locking 3.55 upgrade. According to my VIN lookup, it's 14,300. I have to admit, I'm getting mixed info on this so far.


That's what we were afraid of.

Edit button only lasts for a short time after posting.