Community Forums

TXiceman · 07-02-2022, 10:35 AM

When trailer shopping, ignore the brochure dry weights for trailer and tongue weight. Look at the sticker on the left front corner for the GVWR of the trailer. This is the most the trailer should weigh loaded. The dry weight does not include any options. Options will vary, but often include microwave, television, awnings, battery(ies) and full propane bottles. Often a new trailer setting on the lot may weight 500 LB or more than the brochure weight. For the loaded tongue weight, estimate it at 12% of the trailer GVWR.

I would strongly suggest you get the Ford Towing Guide for your truck, read it in detail including footnotes and understand what the ratings mean. I would look to keep the GVWR below 7500 LB for the trailer and no more than 28 to 30 FT actual length.

I would also make sure that your truck has LT rated tires and not the softer P series.

Ken

Ken

senator28 · 07-04-2022, 06:01 PM

Tks.
I've have been doing deep dives to create a list of things "to do and don't do". Adding the tires suggestion along with the others to the list

Matthew B · 07-07-2022, 01:33 AM

So I'm going through this and trying to determine my payload capacity. According to these numbers, my front curb weight is 3615 and my rear curb weight is 2406 (if I use the "max" numbers) for a total of 6021 lbs. My GVWR is 8800 lbs, so in my case, my payload capacity is 2779 lbs?

There seem to be a lot of numbers on this VIN decoder website too. That's where I got this other picture than the one of my door jamb.

https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...indecoder.php?

Kipkeller · 07-07-2022, 08:56 AM

You can weigh your truck at a CAT scale, then subtract that from your gross weight of 8800 to get your payload.

Dave Pelletier · 07-07-2022, 10:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kipkeller

You can weigh your truck at a CAT scale, then subtract that from your gross weight of 8800 to get your payload.

Always the best way.

Personally, I don't like to go over 6,500 lbs towing with a half ton and this one with the smaller EB and higher gears isn't ideal so I'd error on the lower side if possible.

Dave

mistercee · 07-07-2022, 10:35 AM

MatthewB...Those website/brochure curb weights are generic - likely for a base model truck.

Load up the truck as you would for camping (gear, people, pets etc.) fill up the tank and go to the CAT scale.

Subtract that loaded up weight from 8,800 (your GVWR). What's left is what you have to support the pin or tongue weight for the 5th wheel or travel trailer, plus the weight of the hitch.

For 5th wheel, calculate 22% of the trailer GVWR for pin weight
For travel trailer, calculate 13% of the trailer GVWR for tongue weight

Marine359 · 07-07-2022, 10:37 AM

X2
Cat Scale only cost $10 and gives you accurate weights front and rear axles. Weigh it when it’s empty with no passengers, but with a full tank of fuel. Sit in the truck while weighing. Then weigh yourself. This should give you accurate payload.

Dave Pelletier · 07-07-2022, 12:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mistercee

MatthewB...Those website/brochure curb weights are generic - likely for a base model truck.

Load up the truck as you would for camping (gear, people, pets etc.) fill up the tank and go to the CAT scale.

Subtract that loaded up weight from 8,800 (your GVWR). What's left is what you have to support the pin or tongue weight for the 5th wheel or travel trailer, plus the weight of the hitch.

For 5th wheel, calculate 22% of the trailer GVWR for pin weight
For travel trailer, calculate 13% of the trailer GVWR for tongue weight