Is my trailer too heavy for my truck??

[todtc318]

Hi All. New to travel trailers. My fiancé and I just purchased a Wildcat Maxx 24RG travel trailer. Empty weight is listed at 6176#. I have a 2015 Ford F150 with a 2.7 ecoboost/trailer tow package/6900# payload package. Listed towing capacity is 8000#. The GCWR is 13,300#. I wasn't worried until I started talking to some people (who don't trailer) who tell me the truck may not be able to safely pull the trailer when loaded. Is there anyone out there with real world experience I can borrow??

Thank you!

[HONDAMAN174]

Look at your sticker on door jamb- what does your payload say?

Then take your tongue weight times 1.25 and subtract from your payload #. That number will be how much weight you have left for you, wife, family, dogs, food, supplies, cargo, etc. if it is close or over, you might not have enough truck.


2014 Evo 2850 "Woodstock"
2011 Toyota Tundra "Clifford"

[todtc318]

Thank you. Where does the Ford supplied 8000# max trailer weight number come from??

[todtc318]

Dry tongue weight is 663# × 1.5 is 828.75#. Max payload is 1531#. Sound ok?

[f5moab]

As Hondaman stated, don't forget the family, clothes, supplies, animals (if any), and any other cargo. And also don't forget to figure in any type of tonneau cover or tools that might also be added.

[phillyg]

Don't listen to people who don't tow. Even us braniacs here don't have all the answers. Go online for the 2015 Ford Towing Guide, find your truck and you'll have everything you need (except actually weighing the truck and trailer). Your door sticker is specific to the build-out on your truck. When you have all that data and analyze it, come back here for verification. Off the top of my head, I believe you'll be fine as long as you don't overload the inside of the truck (peoples, dogs, too much gear) or the truck bed (too much camping stuff).

[madmaxmutt]

I would bet you will find more 2.7 owners towing at f150ecoboost.net for real world experience.

[Maverick50]

2015 Forest River RV Wildcat Maxx 24RG
Hitch Weight: 663 lbs
Gross Weight: 10823 lbs
Dry Weight: 6176 lbs
Cargo Weight: 4647 lbs: 67 gals
Grey Water Capacity: 62 gals
Black Water Capacity: 31 gals

Am I missing something?
CGVWR=13,300 lbs
Minus Wildcat Gross Weight: 10,82
Truck and Passengers must weigh less than 2,477 lbs

[Radio]

Originally Posted by todtc318

Thank you. Where does the Ford supplied 8000# max trailer weight number come from??

The engineers at Ford believe your truck can safely tow (that means start, drag down the road at highway speed and then stop) a trailer that weighs 8000 pounds loaded.

This is a different number than hitch weight.

The 8000 pound figure is more about engine, transmission and brakes. The hitch weight/pin weight is more about suspension.

I'm thinking if you travel light you will be fine.

I always encourage people who tow with 1/2 ton trucks to increase their transmission cooling capacity.

[Maverick50]

Originally Posted by Radio

The engineers at Ford believe your truck can safely tow (that means start, drag down the road at highway speed and then stop) a trailer that weighs 8000 pounds loaded.

This is a different number than hitch weight.

The 8000 pound figure is more about engine, transmission and brakes. The hitch weight/pin weight is more about suspension.

I'm thinking if you travel light you will be fine.

I always encourage people who tow with 1/2 ton trucks to increase their transmission cooling capacity.

99.999% of RVs are NOT packed light! This is an accident waiting to happen!
If you believe any RV' unloaded weight is correct... I'll sell you anything you want! Best advice is to weigh the RV empty and then loaded. Then you might understand the situation or dilemma your in.

[TURBS]

Empty dry weight means nothing.
Average user added weight is 1000 lbs.
95% of the time you'll go over your pin weight on your truck long before you reach max tow.

Look at your cargo carrying capacity sticker on your truck door or door jamb.



2015 Columbus 320RS
2008 2500HD Duramax
2015 nights camped "34"

[acadianbob]

Originally Posted by todtc318

Dry tongue weight is 663# × 1.5 is 828.75#. Max payload is 1531#. Sound ok?

I wind up pulling about 600 pounds out of my payload before I even start on the trailer. 350 pounds me/wife/dogs, 150 bed rolltop, 100 pounds side bars. Then there is what goes in the bed: generator, grill, inflatable kayak, "stuff" for another 200 pounds. My payload that starts out at 1820 is now down to 1,000.

The trailer dry hitch weight never includes trailer options, battery, propane tanks, the effects of what you load in the trailer. I think you could add another 200 pounds to the dry hitch weight quite easily. Don't forget the weight of the weight distribution hitch.

My guess is that you will be over your payload capacity. But, you now have enough information to figure it out for yourself.

[Mr Havercamp]

Originally Posted by todtc318

Dry tongue weight is 663# × 1.5 is 828.75#. Max payload is 1531#. Sound ok?

663X1.5 = 994?

I don't know what 1.5 relates to?

If the 663 is even accurate.....633+ 2-30 pounders = 110 + battery @ 42 = 785. I'd guess another 200 at a minimum for anything in the trailer ahead of the axles less the offset of stuff behind the axles.

I would anticipate the hitch weight to come in around 1000lbs.

[TURBS]

Originally Posted by Mr Havercamp

663X1.5 = 994?

I don't know what 1.5 relates to?

If the 663 is even accurate.....633+ 2-30 pounders = 110 + battery @ 42 = 785. I'd guess another 200 at a minimum for anything in the trailer ahead of the axles less the offset of stuff behind the axles.

I would anticipate the hitch weight to come in around 1000lbs.

I would agree, if not more.
Let's not forget weight distribution hitch and sway control.


2015 Columbus 320RS
2008 2500HD Duramax
2015 nights camped "34"

[jlgail4309]

http://www.ford.com/resources/ford/g...0_r1_Jan12.pdf


Seems to me your loaded for sure. Pack smart and drive slow and learn your rig. Buy a good sway hitch and enjoy your camping !!

[drc343]

Don't forget the frontal area of your trailer can not exceed 60 sq. ft. are less for F150. It should be in your owners manual for that truck the correct numbers. Example 7.5x8 equals 60 sq. ft..

[lbrjet]

Figure a loaded weight of 7400. Leaves 600 pounds for passengers, gear in the truck and hitch. You will be towing at the max rating but sounds doable.


2010 F250 5.4L 3.73
2011 Flagstaff 831FKBSS
Equal-i-zer 4pt 12K

[Rkluge777]

Should had gone with the ford with the 3.5 turbocharged it can tow 11000 lbs

[pdqparalegal1]

Every TT needs a 450 Dulley to make everyone feel safe to be on the highway with you. You should be OK, just drive with extra caution and stopping distance. I can tow a hell of a lot faster than I can stop. Just don't.

[DickiedooFlagman]

Originally Posted by f5moab

As Hondaman stated, don't forget the family, clothes, supplies, animals (if any), and any other cargo. And also don't forget to figure in any type of tonneau cover or tools that might also be added.

And also include the weight of your fuel as part of your payload.