Community Forums

senator28 · 07-01-2022, 09:41 AM

Have a 2015 F-150XLT, 2WD,2.7V6ecoboost,GVWR 6250 lb, 145WB,3.31axel ratio,
I've been studying a lot. Don't want to buy what I can't tow safely or have the insurance invalidated because I was over weight or length.
Is there a person, place or whatever where I can get good solid information/advise. Thanks in advance.
Rick

Old-Biscuit · 07-01-2022, 09:52 AM

Trailer with a GVWR of 7500# MAX

move on · 07-01-2022, 10:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by senator28

Have a 2015 F-150XLT, 2WD,2.7V6ecoboost,GVWR 6250 lb, 145WB,3.31axel ratio,
I've been studying a lot. Don't want to buy what I can't tow safely or have the insurance invalidated because I was over weight or length.
Is there a person, place or whatever where I can get good solid information/advise. Thanks in advance.
Rick

The best place to look is in your Ford owner's manual. Also, Ford has a separate "FORD RV & TRAILER TOWING GUIDE" that is useful.

DavidEM · 07-01-2022, 10:41 AM

As noted above, look in the Ford manual for towing limitations. But then you have to decipher the TT manufacturer's data.

They typically give two values but not always the first: the unloaded weight and the gross vehicular weight rating (GVWR).

Take the unloaded weight with a grain of salt. It is always figured with no fluids, gear and more importantly no options added. For a 20' TT options easily increase the unloaded weight by several hundred pounds. If you rigorously tow with all tanks empty, then you will probably be well under the GVWR when you add your gear.

The GVWR is the maximum weight that the TT can stand. It is often based on the axle ratings plus 10% for weight on the tongue. The tire weight ratings are usually 10+% higher than the axle ratings.

David

dizcom · 07-01-2022, 10:46 AM

It isn't that exact. You want a pretty good margin between what the truck is rated to do and what you do with it. You can cut it close, but you won't be happy. Your ride will suck, your braking will suck, and your acceleration will suck. You'll put a lot of wear on the truck. If you have any doubt at all about the numbers, just assume it's too much.

carybosse · 07-01-2022, 11:12 AM

Just to make the calculations more difficult, for a 1/2 ton truck, you are probably going to be pushing the payload calculation before the GVWR rating exceeds your tow capacity. This is because the "dry" tongue weight provided by manufacturer is the unloaded weight, probably without propane tanks, etc.

When you take 10-15% of trailer weight for tongue weight from your payload on your truck, you not be left with much room for passengers and cargo in the truck.

Doss · 07-01-2022, 12:39 PM

My previous RV experience was an F-350 hauling a 5er toyhauler. Weight was never a consideration. Now I am pulling a TT with a Suburban so I have to calculate now

A couple of things I have picked up from these discussions the last month:
I think options are figured in to dry trailer weights. There were 2 trailers like mine, exact same models with different weights. I assumed that was due to options.

Second thing you guys have tought me is to consider the GVWR of the tow vehicle. If I am well under my trailer capacity and I want to add 100 pounds of cargo, my natural inclination would be to put it in the Suburban. I am reconsidering that. If I have a good bit of spare weight in the trailer, I should put it in the trailer so that the Suburban only gets dinged for 12% of the weight versus 100% if I put it directly in the back of the Suburban

1JetDoc · 07-01-2022, 01:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by senator28

Have a 2015 F-150XLT, 2WD,2.7V6ecoboost,GVWR 6250 lb, 145WB,3.31axel ratio,
I've been studying a lot. Don't want to buy what I can't tow safely or have the insurance invalidated because I was over weight or length.
Is there a person, place or whatever where I can get good solid information/advise. Thanks in advance.
Rick

Here's some basic information on the towing capacity of your 2015 F-150.
https://letstowthat.com/2015-f150-towing-capacity/

Of course, these numbers are for a brand new F-150, and not one that's 7-years old. Before you tow anything with your pickup, you should get it checked out and make sure your tires and brakes, shocks and suspension are up to the task. If it's not equipped from the factory, you'll also need to install a brake controller and wiring harness for the trailer.

This chart lists the max trailer weight as 7600 lbs. It also lists the GCWR or Gross COMBINED weight rating as 12,500 lbs. That's the total weight of the truck and trailer together, and includes the weight of full fuel, cargo and passengers in the truck.

tuffr2 · 07-01-2022, 01:23 PM

I towed a 2008 Gulfstream Streamlite 22SLB very comfortably with a 2011 F-150 5.0 litre. My trailer unofficially weighed 5,500lbs by my mental calculation.

I used a simple Drawtite WD hitch with a chain links. I towed approx. at 72 mph in the middle and right lanes. I had no sway and no semi truck sway.

I know all about sway because I tried to tow this same trailer with a Gen 1 Honda Ridgeline. That was not fun. I traded to Ridgeline in on the 2011 F-150.

I advise look up the 2008 Streamlite 22SLB and by a close copy to that. Not longer but maybe with 1 slide.

JIMNLIN · 07-01-2022, 02:16 PM

Ford F150 markets around 5 different gvwr/rawr packages ranging from their smallest 6250/3300 rawr on up to their largest 7850 gvwr/4800rawr.

Fleet Ford specs show your truck may have the small 3300 rawr good for approx 900-1000 lb payload.
Anyway your drivers side door post has your trucks rawr number. Rawr is the lessor of a OEM tire/wheel/rear spring pack/rear axle assy ratings.

With that small rawr number your limited to a TT with around 700-800 lb hitch load.

You have the truck so get the front and rear axle separate weights from a set of CAT scales. That way you know how much hitch weight you have to work with (and the size of the trailer).

senator28 · 07-02-2022, 04:16 AM

Tks everyone for your response. Great suggestions. I have looked @ the Ford towing guides & manuals. Have subscribed to training courses. Like most things in life there are tricks to the trade and practical experience. You’ve added to that.
Thank you.

wildmandmc · 07-02-2022, 04:33 AM

My rule of thumb, is best be over kill for the truck than under kill. everything will last longer including living.

Kipkeller · 07-02-2022, 07:59 AM

Easiest way to eliminate certain trailers:
Find your payload on the door sticker of your truck.
Find max weight of trailer.
15% of max weight will be a good approximation of max tongue weight
Subtract from truck payload. What’s left is what you can put in the truck.
Get a good idea of the weight that will be in the truck. People, their stuff, firewood, bikes, etc.
Subtract that from the previous number. You over or under 0?

Kipkeller · 07-02-2022, 08:01 AM

Easiest way to eliminate certain trailers:
Find your payload on the door sticker of your truck.
Find max weight of trailer.
15% of max weight will be a good approximation of max tongue weight
Subtract from truck payload. What’s left is what you can put in the truck.
Get a good idea of the weight that will be in the truck. People, their stuff, firewood, bikes, etc.
Subtract that from the previous number. You over or under 0?