Could use a second set of eyes to look at my weight numbers

[fireman1317]

We are on our first trip and so had our first opportunity to hit the CAT Scales.

TV: 2010 F150 SCREW, 5.4l, 3.73E rear end. 15,500 GCWR.
Maximum loaded trailer: 9,600lbs (All numbers come from Ford's towing guide for my year) Max tongue weight with WDH: 1,100lbs

TT: 2016 Vibe Extreme Lite 315 BHK. 34.9ft long, "Dry Weight" per manufacturer's tag, 5,963lbs.

WDH: Equalizer 4-point sway control. 1,000/10,000

Here is my CAT scales data:

1. (Trailer, truck, WDH)
Steer Axle: 3580lbs
Drive Axle: 4400lbs
Trailer Axle: 6040lbs
Gross Weight: 14020lbs

2. (Trailer, truck, NO WDH)
Steer Axle: 3380lbs
Drive Axle: 4680lbs
Trailer Axle: 5960lbs
Gross Weight: 14020lbs

3. (Truck only)
Steer Axle: 3820lbs
Drive Axle: 3220lbs
Trailer Axle: 0000lbs
Gross Weight: 7040lbs

Got hit with winds yesterday and I now completely understand White Knuckle Driving!!! With our wind, I still fill the trailer "moving" the truck side to side. Is there not enough weight going to the front axle? Also, tongue is over loaded.

Thanks

[CWSWine]

I put your numbers into tow planner....be sure to double check my numbers.

Actual Weights - Travel Trailer/Bumper Pull Weights from CAT Scales - Towing Planner

[fireman1317]

Originally Posted by CWSWine

I put your numbers into tow planner....be sure to double check my numbers.

Actual Weights - Travel Trailer/Bumper Pull Weights from CAT Scales - Towing Planner

Thanks. I didn't think to look at all the numbers like that. So according to Tow Planner my numbers are good. So it's really making me think the issue is the 34.9ft trailer vs a 1/2 ton truck.

[CWSWine]

Originally Posted by fireman1317

Thanks. I didn't think to look at all the numbers like that. So according to Tow Planner my numbers are good. So it's really making me think the issue is the 34.9ft trailer vs a 1/2 ton truck.

Depends what you GVWR is on your truck and what the axle ratings are and those are on your door sticker on your truck. The GVWR of 7980 seems a little high for F150 unless in has both the HD Tow and HD Payload packages.

Added -- Also check your tire load ratings and insure they are over the 4680 lbs.

[MtnGuy]

fireman, What is the GVWR of your truck ?? If 7200 lbs (like mine) you are way over that number with the trailer hooked up.

IMHO you need to need to add another washer (or 2) to get more weight distributed. You want to get the steer axle weight back near the weight of the steer axle without the trailer. In doing that, you will take some weight off of the rear axle, which is probably over the RAWR. Unless you have a HD package, many 1/2 ton trucks have a RAWR of ~3950 lbs.

If you anticipate the camper's tongue weight going much higher on some camping trips, you may want to go with a 12,000 lb. Equalizer system.......your tongue weight is now 1020 lbs.

Normally I don't recommend lightening the tongue weight, but at 14.6% tongue weight vs total trailer weight you could probably move stuff around to get your tongue weight lightened up a bit and still be in the 12-13% range.

With the F150 GVWR number possibly exceeded, plus the long trailer, a 3/4 or 1 ton truck might be a better fit.

Kudos for taking the time to get your rig setup properly !!

[D. J. Schuler]

Please look at your door post for Payload and Axle ratings based on the "original" tires. Read the Manual that came with the truck. The "window sticker" has a list of what you got GVWR, HT and other amenities (sometimes you can go to Ford and plug in your VIN info). My GVWR - truck weight, full fuel (CAT scale) = post sticker payload. Post sticker doesn't include the driver (Ford). Your tongue/5r pin, people and gear is payload. A WDH just moves weight to the front wheels.

[bluewoo]

1180# added to rear axles
240# Taken off front

I agree with @MtnGuy about getting more on the front end and some off the rear end.

Toyota (in my case) states to keep front end @ unloaded height so with 240# off your front end its got to be higher than stock. With my set up I was able to keep front @ stock height and rear is one inch lower than stock and handles great for only a 24 ft on the back.

[Filterman]

Been at this for 30 years but even the door post sticker info is confusing. My F150 is rated at 7700GVW but on the same sticker it shows F/A GVWR 3900 R/A GVWR 4050. Do the math and it adds up to 7950lbs. I'm often a couple hundred pounds over on my total truck weight but well under my GCVWR. This summer Im going to do a little work on fine tuning my WD hitch. I think I'll go to a 12000/1200 rated hitch because Im pretty sure my tongue weight is over 1000 lbs ready to roll. I'll confirm that as well. It's 2 hours to the closest CAT scale but there is a BCMOH weigh station 10 minutes away.

[CWSWine]

Originally Posted by Filterman

Been at this for 30 years but even the door post sticker info is confusing. My F150 is rated at 7700GVW but on the same sticker it shows F/A GVWR 3900 R/A GVWR 4050. Do the math and it adds up to 7950lbs. I'm often a couple hundred pounds over on my total truck weight but well under my GCVWR. This summer Im going to do a little work on fine tuning my WD hitch. I think I'll go to a 12000/1200 rated hitch because Im pretty sure my tongue weight is over 1000 lbs ready to roll. I'll confirm that as well. It's 2 hours to the closest CAT scale but there is a BCMOH weigh station 10 minutes away.

So what you saying you can exceed your rear axle weight ratings but if add your front and rear axle ratings together you good to go. Won't you still be over your rear axle ratings?

[MtnGuy]

Originally Posted by Filterman

My F150 is rated at 7700GVW but on the same sticker it shows F/A GVWR 3900 R/A GVWR 4050. Do the math and it adds up to 7950lbs.

That is usually the case. Your total axle weights should exceed your GVWR in case your weight is not distributed exactly on the corresponding axle.