F150 Towing Capabilities

[spock123]

Originally Posted by lilrube

hi rvdixie congrats on your entry into the wonderful world of rv's.
I untill recently owned a 2011 f150 lariat max tow michelin lt 18" tires with a max tow rating of 11300. All seemed wonderfull with my salem hemisphere 35ft 5er and handled it like a dream. My curiosity got me when i payed attention to my trans temps when towing on average hitting the high 190's and up to 206 on occasion. Common sense told me I was working my tv pretty hard. Went to cat scales and found tow weight was fine but discovered my rear axle max was rated to 4050lbs and with my trailer hooked up i was 4800lbs. scary thought for us gross combined weight was 16680 just under our max of 17200. such a scary thought about the potential problems of a broken axle while running down the highway. we now have a chevy 2500hd 6.0 gasser gave me a rear axle max of 6200 (better then fords) increased my max combined weight to 20200. We now feel safe and confident in continuing our full time adventure. Only saying go with peace of mind and the confidence you will be safe for yourself and all the rest of us

You could have installed a transmission cooler and air bags and saved money by not getting another truck but hey I like to smell the new burn off a new truck, I just hate the payments


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[dustman_stx]

Originally Posted by lilrube

hi rvdixie congrats on your entry into the wonderful world of rv's.
I untill recently owned a 2011 f150 lariat max tow michelin lt 18" tires with a max tow rating of 11300. All seemed wonderfull with my salem hemisphere 35ft 5er and handled it like a dream. My curiosity got me when i payed attention to my trans temps when towing on average hitting the high 190's and up to 206 on occasion. Common sense told me I was working my tv pretty hard. Went to cat scales and found tow weight was fine but discovered my rear axle max was rated to 4050lbs and with my trailer hooked up i was 4800lbs. scary thought for us gross combined weight was 16680 just under our max of 17200. such a scary thought about the potential problems of a broken axle while running down the highway. we now have a chevy 2500hd 6.0 gasser gave me a rear axle max of 6200 (better then fords) increased my max combined weight to 20200. We now feel safe and confident in continuing our full time adventure. Only saying go with peace of mind and the confidence you will be safe for yourself and all the rest of us

If you had paid attention you would have found that your transmission in that truck runs low to mid 190's unloaded.

[dustman_stx]

Originally Posted by Tonkatoy77

Wow!!!......This thread is a total joke! A thread titled "F-150 Towing capabilities", and all it really is is one persons opinion on how tough their truck is. Bottom line is that trailer is too big for that truck. Can it do it? Sure, but so could a Ford Ranger. The only time that setup would be ok is if you never traveled very far and stayed on flat straight roads only.


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No way you could even come close to moving that rig down the road with a Ford Ranger. First time you tried to take off from a dead stop on an uphill incline you'd be done.

[dustman_stx]

Originally Posted by Tonkatoy77

Your right, it's not my camper or my truck. But they are sharing the same roads as me when I am in my camper and truck. And that is what worries me!!!! If I was being being negligent in my semi and putting your family at risk would you just say "eh... Not my truck, so who cares?"



I run everything buy the book not only because it's the law, but because I want myself AND everyone around me to be safe!!!!!!


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How many accidents have you encountered from an overloaded TT or FW? You've got much bigger worries with all of the teenagers and distracted drivers(texting, on Facebook, etc.) out there on the road. And don't forget drunks and the elderly- not all, but many😃.

[Code13]

RVDixie....it is RVers like you that are putting my family and others lives in jeopardy. I used to tow a 7k pound TT 700lb tongue wt with a 2013 ram 1500 and couldn't sleep some nights knowing I was right at the max payload rating of the truck once I was fully loaded for travel. It pulled great and sat level but still was borderline exceeding the rating. As a result I now own a 2014 Ram 3500 DRW with the Asin transmission and will never need to worry about my safety or anyone else on the road because I may or may not be overloaded. I am not saying you need a 3500 but you are extremely unsafe with that setup. You are also potentially doing extreme wear and tear to your truck. To simply say it tows well means nothing when the wheels come off because you overloaded the axles. You can pull into any CAT scale at a Luvs or Flying Jay and weight your rig for about $10....no unhooking or re-hooking required. You will be surprised to see how much you will be over. I was 340lbs over with my old setup on the rear axles and had to really tighten down my WD bars to get more weight to the front axles to get it within spec. It is a common misconception people don't get when they look at trucks towing capacities. They think as long as they are meeting the tow weight i.e. about 12k for your truck you are good if the TT is under. The biggest thing missed is the payload....you will rarely ever be able to tow the rated tow capacity without going over the Payload first. Also people think WD bars and airbags will increase the trucks tow rating. It will not...it just makes it safer. Whatever the sticker on the door says it it. You really can not change the rating without rebuilding the truck and getting it certified. Please Please Please Please for the safety of others educate yourself on this. I have spent hours researching and creating spreadsheets specifically for my vehicle. Just remember it is your liability when you cause an accident and the insurance discovers you were so far over your vehicles limitations....Just my 2cents on behalf of everyone on the road. Your setup is a deathtrap!

[Code13]

I am not getting into a argument about how much worse other drivers are on the road....I just wanted to point out to this RVer that he his way overloaded and should reconsider. There is a huge difference in me getting hit by a Honda Accord in my 3500 vs getting hit by this guy and his 5th wheel. This RVer is clearly overloaded, knows it and just doesn't seem to see any risk.

[nomad297]

Originally Posted by Rvdixie

Sorry but I don't believe there is a truck scale in my future. I'm content to just know I can tow it comfortably and that I am within the capabilities of my truck. I understand that many of you are interested in this type of data but I just don't share that interest enough to go through the trouble of finding a scale and hooking and unhooking to get the various weights. The only reason I posted was to help assure many who ask questions and have concerns about the towing capabilities of the F150 Eco Boost. I know what the trailer weighed empty according the manufacture and I have a good idea of what I have loaded in it. I also removed a couple of heavy pieces of furniture, (sofa and two chairs) and replaced them with lighter stuff. The 11500 is merely an educated guess. I'm sure I'm close. As to tongue weight if barely moves the truck down when loaded. Maybe an inch or so.

Rvdixie, how about posting a picture of your tire loading sticker which you will find on your driver's side door pillar.

Put this to rest and show us all how wrong we are about you being unsafe lay overloaded.

Bruce

[spock123]

Originally Posted by Code13

I am not getting into a argument about how much worse other drivers are on the road....I just wanted to point out to this RVer that he his way overloaded and should reconsider. There is a huge difference in me getting hit by a Honda Accord in my 3500 vs getting hit by this guy and his 5th wheel. This RVer is clearly overloaded, knows it and just doesn't seem to see any risk.

That all depends on how fast each vehicle going and where you get hit at. I just laugh when me and DW sees a half ton pulling a fifth wheel but it's his business. There is no law that he is breaking by pulling whatever he wants to pull. The weight police on these forums can say whatever they like but there is no rules about what you can pull. Camping is all about having fun. If I want to worry all the time I would stay home


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[jerky]

Originally Posted by Code13

I am not getting into a argument about how much worse other drivers are on the road....I just wanted to point out to this RVer that he his way overloaded and should reconsider. There is a huge difference in me getting hit by a Honda Accord in my 3500 vs getting hit by this guy and his 5th wheel. This RVer is clearly overloaded, knows it and just doesn't seem to see any risk.

This guy could hit you with his fifth wheel no matter what truck he was pulling it with


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[goduc]

Just a hunch but I bet RVdixie won't post any response. He's the typical no it all and has no intentions of weighing his setup. He'll do whatever he wants and say it's fine. He's the current definition of "It's all about me". I really find it interesting that he knows what his 5er weighs loaded up but has no clue what the pin weight is or how much weight he's putting on the rear axle. I'd also like to know what the heck he's putting in his 5er to get it 110lbs over the rated GVW. That 5er comes with a 2700lb (per brochure) cargo capacity. I load the crud out of mine and have 1500lbs in it. I don't full time so that's packing all I'd need for a weekend or even 1-2 week trip. I think RVdixie is just flat out full of BS.

[madmaxmutt]

Having fun camping and safety are both important, but some of this is laughable. I agree with those that are more worried about the distracted, speeding and just plain horrible drivers out there being much more of a menace.

There is just a LOT of conclusion jumping here. The OP stated he has all the packages for towing and payload. That might mean he has an H/D payload equipped F150 and should change the conversation, but he doesn't really say. He does say it is a Supercab which means he has more available payload than a Supercrew. As for if his truck is overweight or not, no one can tell from the information provided.


The 5er he listed has a GVWR lower than what he estimated his loaded weight, so I will just hope he is off on that one.



Either way if he is camped next to me, I would offer him a beer and discuss his rig.

[spock123]

Originally Posted by goduc

Just a hunch but I bet RVdixie won't post any response. He's the typical no it all and has no intentions of weighing his setup. He'll do whatever he wants and say it's fine. He's the current definition of "It's all about me". I really find it interesting that he knows what his 5er weighs loaded up but has no clue what the pin weight is or how much weight he's putting on the rear axle. I'd also like to know what the heck he's putting in his 5er to get it 110lbs over the rated GVW. That 5er comes with a 2700lb (per brochure) cargo capacity. I load the crud out of mine and have 1500lbs in it. I don't full time so that's packing all I'd need for a weekend or even 1-2 week trip. I think RVdixie is just flat out full of BS.

I can't speak for RVdixie but I have no intention of ever weighing my rig, I could care less what the pin weight is or how much I'm pulling or what the total weight is. If DOT makes rules for how much weight I can scale then I might listen, until then no weighing truck and camper. Oh yes I like beer too but should we meet at a campground weight is one thing I do not talk about


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[goduc]

Originally Posted by spock123

I can't speak for RVdixie but I have no intention of ever weighing my rig, I could care less what the pin weight is or how much I'm pulling or what the total weight is. If DOT makes rules for how much weight I can scale then I might listen, until then no weighing truck and camper. Oh yes I like beer too but should we meet at a campground weight is one thing I do not talk about


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Heck yeah, I have a truck so I can tow anything. That's the attitude I'm talking about. Who needs common sense. Just hitch up to that big ole truck and head down the road. All will be good. I got a truck. Hey if I had a diesel I could really tow something big.

[Tonkatoy77]

Originally Posted by spock123

I guess you never even go 1 mile over the speed limit and always come to a complete stop at stop signs no matter if nothing is coming. My camper will never see a scale, I think it's a waste of time to weigh my camper, my 3500 Silverado can pull it and have no problems, besides a camper is not a commercial truck, not a fifth wheel anyway. When I drove a semi I dodged all the scales and ran two log books and was overloaded most of the time but I was careful and never had a accident. The problem is there too many people that think the truck and camper is a commercial semi, at least on these forums. I do think most rv's that I see on the road think they are a semi because when I'm going 63mph they pass me like I'm stopped. Most rv's have st tires that are only supposed to be run at no more than 65 but most do. There are no standards for what you can pull, so a insurance company would have a hard time getting out of a claim.


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You completely missed my point! I am not comparing commercial vehicles to RV's. But, good for you for giving us a bad name!!! Thanks!!! What I was trying to get at is weight capacities of my truck. The steer axle is rated for 12,500 lbs. I could easily get it up to 20k if I was hauling alfalfa. 99% of the people on the road would never know that I was exceeding the limit of my axle by 7,500 lbs. But like I said earlier, I prefer to run legal AND safe. And yes, know there are laws for weight of a commercial vehicle and NO law for an RV weight. I also know that an insurance company must cover you even though you were being negligent. And your examples of going 1 mph over the speed limits or rolling through a stop sign are poor. 1 mph is not going to make a difference if you are within your vehicles ratings. 15% over weight, however WILL.

And are you saying those RVer's shouldn't be going over 65? Huh! That sounds a little hypocritical doesn't it? I mean it's there vehicle, not yours, right?


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[Tonkatoy77]

Originally Posted by dustman_stx

No way you could even come close to moving that rig down the road with a Ford Ranger. First time you tried to take off from a dead stop on an uphill incline you'd be done.

I had a Ford Ranger that I used to haul 10k lbs of hay out of the fields with. I never got out on the road, and never got to 55 mph, but it did it! It would even pull it up some steep hills on our property taking off from a dead stop on grass. So, YES, it CAN do it!


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[Tonkatoy77]

Originally Posted by dustman_stx

How many accidents have you encountered from an overloaded TT or FW? You've got much bigger worries with all of the teenagers and distracted drivers(texting, on Facebook, etc.) out there on the road. And don't forget drunks and the elderly- not all, but many[emoji2].

I could go all day quoting you people! I live about 55 miles from the Oregon Coast and sand dunes. Every summer HWY 6 gets shut down 3-4 times for RV's getting totaled out. And most of the time it's a Tahoe or Expedition towing a Toy Hauler. Hwy 6 follows the Wilson River all the way to the coast and is a hot spot for people to go swimming and fishing. You just never know when you are going to come around a corner and find a group of 16 year olds dashing across the road. Pretty hard to panic stop when you are over weight! And the examples you gave are the same as towing over weight....NEGLIGENT!!!!


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[nomad297]

Originally Posted by Tonkatoy77

I could go all day quoting you people! I live about 55 miles from the Oregon Coast and sand dunes. Every summer HWY 6 gets shut down 3-4 times for RV's getting totaled out. And most of the time it's a Tahoe or Expedition towing a Toy Hauler. Hwy 6 follows the Wilson River all the way to the coast and is a hot spot for people to go swimming and fishing. You just never know when you are going to come around a corner and find a group of 16 year olds dashing across the road. Pretty hard to panic stop when you are over weight! And the examples you gave are the same as towing over weight....NEGLIGENT!!!!


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Too much common sense displayed here.

Bruce

[madmaxmutt]

Originally Posted by nomad297

Too much common sense displayed here.

Bruce

Except common sense would dictate finding out the true TV capabilities before flying off the deep end.

[rgouge]

Hi all, just thought I would chime in here on this subject. I am a Ford sales rep. and I have done a lot of research into the towing capabilities of the F 150. I am going to up grade from my 2014 Escape 2.0L ecoboost. Which by the way tows a 3200 lb. Clipper just fine and gets 14 mpg doing it. The F 150 when properly equipped with the HD payload pkg and max tow can pull the weight with no problem. It is rated by the factory to do just that. I had watched the you tube videos and read everything you all are saying about it. Your are just fine with that truck so roll on. I will however be getting the f 250 6.7 diesel for the fuel economy. It does get better mileage then the f 159 pulling. and that 880 lbs ft of torque is unreal. Just have fun with your truck and be confident that is will do the job.

[spock123]

Originally Posted by Tonkatoy77

You completely missed my point! I am not comparing commercial vehicles to RV's. But, good for you for giving us a bad name!!! Thanks!!! What I was trying to get at is weight capacities of my truck. The steer axle is rated for 12,500 lbs. I could easily get it up to 20k if I was hauling alfalfa. 99% of the people on the road would never know that I was exceeding the limit of my axle by 7,500 lbs. But like I said earlier, I prefer to run legal AND safe. And yes, know there are laws for weight of a commercial vehicle and NO law for an RV weight. I also know that an insurance company must cover you even though you were being negligent. And your examples of going 1 mph over the speed limits or rolling through a stop sign are poor. 1 mph is not going to make a difference if you are within your vehicles ratings. 15% over weight, however WILL.

And are you saying those RVer's shouldn't be going over 65? Huh! That sounds a little hypocritical doesn't it? I mean it's there vehicle, not yours, right?


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It sure sounds like you are comparing rv's to commercial rigs and I could care less about what I weigh or anyone else or how much you speed. I just think it's stupid to worry about my weight or anyone else weight. But if anything is brought up and it had anything to do at all with a truck you can always look for the weight police to chime in. I think most people that camp could care less about what there rig weighs. My son drives a commercial truck and we talk all the time and guess what we don't talk about, WEIGHT!!!


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