Weighed my F-150

[Sbad0cko]

Took my truck to the CAT scales this afternoon to get my baseline weight.

GVWR: 7050 / Weigh: 5600 / Delta: +1450
FAWR: 3450 / Weigh: 3160 / Delta: +290
RAWR: 4150 / Weigh: 2440 / Delta: +1710

The truck was weighed with a full tank of gas and myself in the seat. Accessories I installed include a Extang Trifecta Signature 2.0 tonneau (canvas), FoMoCo tray liners (the heavy rubber ones), RhinoLiner wheel well liners, and WeatherTech mudflaps.

My observations:
A. I'm a little surprised my front axle weight was as heavy as it is. I suppose that explains the stock Ford rake of the vehicle to a degree.
B. I have enough payload to handle my DW, a 1k tongue, and a few hundred pounds left over for stuff to put in the bed if I so choose. I typically would only put my WeberQ/Cart combo, fresh water bin, and black tank bin in the bed. Not much else, typically.
C. My rear axle can take 17 pounds less than my stickered payload capacity; it was a good move to go for the truck w/ the 4150 RAWR vs. the 3800 RAWR.
D. My axle ratings indicate I could weigh as heavy as 7600 pounds; 550 pounds more than my stickered GVWR. I have to assume there is something else in the truck holding me back from realizing my axle potential.

I'm thinking my truck should be good to go with a 22'-26' TT w/ a GVWR of 7k or less. Perhaps a higher GVWR if the payload on the trailer is such that I'd never fill it to GVWR. I know some makes are more generous w/ CCC than other's.

So far, I have to say I'm feeling pretty good about my truck and my target trailer specs. I feel like I have all the information I need now to be an informed shopper, and eventually a informed buyer in a couple of years.

Thoughts?

[SailorSam]

FWIW.
My trailer actually weighs in at 7k. With my Propride hitch, I measure 29'6" nose to bumper. Trailer box is 26'. I have over 30K miles on the trailer and no complaints on pulling it around. Ford's 3.5 EB engine has done the job without complaint regardless of grades. My current truck has the continuous controlled damping. The damping really helps with porpoising. It takes a few miles for the truck to learn that it has the trailer attached then things smooth out.
Safe travels.

[ggrimm01]

.02 cents

To each his own. 22' - 26' are the limits for a 1/2 ton. SailorSam has the right setup hitch with active sway control. Started with passive and now have a Hensley. You. May never have an issue towing. However there will be times you should have a bigger vehicle. Going across Kansas you can get 20 to 40 knot crosswind that will lead you to white knuckle driving. Also I would recommend bigger trans pan, oil trans cooler. Heat is the killer of an engine trans. I use a 3/4 ton and a 1 yon. Mostly use the gasser since easier to find fuel. I just upgraded from Timbrens to airbags to help put more weight on the front axles.

[Dave Pelletier]

1st off, good for you for weighing your loaded truck so you don't have to guess. You have 1,450lbs of available payload. Deduct the wife, any other gear you plan on carrying in the truck and 100lbs for the hitch/wd bars....what's left is available for your trailer tongue weights.

I think your "22'-26' TT w/ a GVWR of 7k or less" is realistic for your truck....obviously, you'll have more room to breath on the smaller end of the size/weight

What you need to make sure you do NOT do is to use a Manufacturer's trailer dry tongue weight as it will undoubtedly be understated. Plan on 12 - 15% of GVWR.

Cheers and good luck,

Dave

[Sbad0cko]

Originally Posted by Dave Pelletier

What you need to make sure you do NOT do is to use a Manufacturer's trailer dry tongue weight as it will undoubtedly be understated. Plan on 12 - 15% of GVWR.

Cheers and good luck,

Dave

That's why I said 7k GVWR.

Comes out to a max 1050 tongue weight @ 15%.

See? I listened to all you guys.

[Dave Pelletier]

Originally Posted by Sbad0cko

That's why I said 7k GVWR.

Comes out to a max 1050 tongue weight @ 15%.

See? I listened to all you guys.

Cheers,
Dave

[tuffr2]

A trailer with a 7,000lb GVWR and around 28' should tow ok behind your F-150. I towed a 26.5' 5,500lb travel trailer (2008 Gulfstream Streamlite 22 SLB) easy and solid (no sway) with a 2011 F-150 with the tow package and 36 gallon fuel tank. The redesigned 2015 and newer F-150 should be more capable.

I did try to tow this same trailer with a Honda Ridgeline that was a white knuckle experience with a lot of sway. The F-150 was a better fit for the travel trailer.

Obviously the lighter you can keep the trailer the better. I liked to keep up with right lane traffic which was 70 - 72 mph and even 74 mph to pass slower moving traffic. All rock solid.

I used just a common Drawtite WD hitch.

[Sbad0cko]

Thank you all for your thoughts and insight !

[tuffr2]

You will need to let us know how things go.

Thanks.

[Gammel]

As I just explained on my new Shocker Air hitch post I felt my F150 was maxed out with our 7300-7500/1050-1100 lb tongue 21' ORV Backcountry. It did fine on the flats but in the real mountains out West it did not do well at times.

[Sbad0cko]

I'm really trying to find something that will scale out around 6500-6750 pounds loaded and ready to go. I'm not interested in bumping up against the top end of my range if I can find a nice floorplan that we like. My shopping list at this particular moment would be Lance, Rockwood/Flagstaff, Grand Design, and perhaps maybe a Jayco in that order. I've found models in each that should keep me in my range.

I'll look at everything I can at the Hershey show, likely have to visit dealers for any of my models of interest that aren't at the show, and go from there.

This purchase won't be happening for 2 years; I want my truck mostly paid and any gremlins worked out before I throw my hat back in the ring.