Payload with 1/2 tons?

[Shamrockthecasbah]

Originally Posted by KFX450RXC

I'm going to strongly disagree with the majority here.

An F-150 pulling a 5000 lb. TT? I would do that in a heartbeat and not worry a bit. That set-up would be absolutely fine in my opinion.

This is totally my opinion but there are far too many people here who waaaay overreact when it comes to weights and towing. That's my opinion. Throw your darts. They can't travel through my modem anyway.

Actually I think most would agree with you. Look at the more recent posts to this thread.

[B and B]

Originally Posted by Shamrockthecasbah

The OP already owns the truck so reevaluating before buying doesn't apply. In post #5 he says he's looking for a 4500-5000 GVW trailer. Very doable for a 1/2 ton with towing package and proper attention to hitch setup and loading. I'm all for being conservative but 1/2 ton = pop up only?

Very good. My response was based on the OP quote of 500 lbs hitch weight after he loads his family .

[B and B]

Originally Posted by NMWildcat

Total BS. The best argument you can come up with against a half ton is fear mongering about endangering family? Shame on you.....

His own admission is 500 lbs hitch weight available. That is what he said he has avionics blue. Too load a trailer for travel and keep a 500 lb hitch weight based on the OP own calculations and remain within specs a pop up is about it.

[NMWildcat]

Originally Posted by B and B

His own admission is 500 lbs hitch weight available. That is what he said he has avionics blue. Too load a trailer for travel and keep a 500 lb hitch weight based on the OP own calculations and remain within specs a pop up is about it.

Nice try

[Flybob]

Moderator's Note: This thread is quickly going off the rails as many "Can I tow that with this?" threads do. You are encouraged to submit your thoughts, then move on. Personal attacks on members who have a different opinion than you will result in the thread being closed.

[D. J. Schuler]

2011 F150 XLT SC 4x4 Eco with HDT, 11,200 and HD Payload, 2,393 (on driver door post)pulls a 9,900 GVW 5er very well. Pin weight 1,640. Always plan 2 RVs ahead, there's always something you'll like better.

[TheWolfPaq82]

Originally Posted by rockfordroo

Dry weights are for suckers. They're just a marketing ploy. Ignore them. Look at the GVWR posted on the sticker on the side of the TT. Multiply it by 12-15% to get an estimate of what your tongue weight will be.

A 4000-4500 dry weight TT will end up being 5500 lbs or more loaded, with a tongue weight of around 700+ lbs. A weight distribution hitch will add another 75-100 lbs. And remember, those kids are packing on extra pounds every day! You need a bigger truck, IMHO.

With 3 kids, dogs and wife, a bigger truck would let you get a bigger TT, too!!

Drug a 7000 lb Jayco around for 9 years with a 1/2 ton Ford 5.4 crew and a 1/2 ton Silverado 5.3 crew. Three adults, two kids, two dogs, bikes, other gear and not a single problem.

[rockfordroo]

Originally Posted by TheWolfPaq82

Drug a 7000 lb Jayco around for 9 years with a 1/2 ton Ford 5.4 crew and a 1/2 ton Silverado 5.3 crew. Three adults, two kids, two dogs, bikes, other gear and not a single problem.

Yeah, and they have a word for that - Lucky

[amblt]

Originally Posted by SailorSam20500

Based on actual cargo numbers from a number of owners (there is a spreadsheet available on the F150 forum).
Staying with a XLT or Lariat trim level and being a little selective on options can get you a payload of between 1,900 and 2,050 lbs. Seems 1,700+ is easy to do based on the number responding with this or larger. This for either the 5.0 or the 3.5 EB on a SCres. The HD payload package adds about 500 lbs.
Jumping to the higher trim levels will cost you up to around 500 lbs of payload.

My 2011 F150 XLT 2WD ext cab w/ 5l V8 has posted payload of 1965lb. With a WDH I should be able to keep my 7500lb TT (just purchased,not yet delivered) tongue weight down to about 900-1000, so I feel quite comfortable with this combo.

[emm-dee]

Until you get real numbers from a CAT scale the only thing that means anything is max gross weight, max axle weight and max tire load. All the other numbers on the vehicle and trailer stickers are just ink on paper

[B and B]

Originally Posted by D. J. Schuler

2011 F150 XLT SC 4x4 Eco with HDT, 11,200 and HD Payload, 2,393 (on driver door post)pulls a 9,900 GVW 5er very well. Pin weight 1,640. Always plan 2 RVs ahead, there's always something you'll like better.

That is a great solution and worthy of towing a lot of trailers.

[clarkbre]

Originally Posted by emm-dee

Until you get real numbers from a CAT scale the only thing that means anything is max gross weight, max axle weight and max tire load. All the other numbers on the vehicle and trailer stickers are just ink on paper

I agree with this. Whether you have a 2wd Toyota Tacoma or an F450 purpose built tow rig, you don't know your truck until you know it's numbers. Go weigh the truck with a full tank of fuel, your family, your dogs and anything else that may be in the truck...after that, subtract that from the magic payload sticker and that's your real, max, allowable tongue and WDH weight. From there, start the trailer shopping.

[VernDiesel]

Rockfordroo, Dragging a 7K TT around for 9 years with two half tons and no problems likely isn't just lucky. It's expected by anyone who takes the time to adjust & set their hitch & load via cat scale results.

OP I Agree with emm-dee and much of what Clarkbree said. Making sure your TV max tow is equal to or greater than the TT GVWR is a good start. Then Most people tow with about a 1,000 pounds over the TT dry weight. Take that number and multiply it by 12.5 percent for the best estimate as to what your TV will see from the TT towards your TV's GVWR or payload. Now you can shop TT & generally calculate it out as to verify if your truck will handle it.

When you have your wet TT take it to a cat scale. Weigh it for your steer, drive, & TT numbers. After that I release the WD & re weigh to see what the WDH was providing. Then pull off the scale unhook the TT & return to get your TV baseline. Now you have what you need to make adjustments to get you to a stable safe setup that is enjoyable to tow. The "Don't rely on your RV dealership" thread has some good examples in it.

[tragusa3]

Towed 7k pounds over 30k miles (around the country 3 times) with my setup and a family of 4. Been on a CAT scale and my rear axle was over by a hundred pounds. The rest of the numbers fit in line.

I've never felt like the tail was wagging the dog. Actuality, I feel like I have a towing beast.

All that boasting done, I would go 3/4 ton if I could go back in time. But it certainly isn't like I'm suffering with a bad choice.

[TheWolfPaq82]

Originally Posted by rockfordroo

Yeah, and they have a word for that - Lucky

Nothing to do with luck. It pulled fine. 9 years has nothing to do with luck. Both trucks were fully capable and did their job as designed.

Now this isn't to offend anyone and it's not a "In Your Face" statement, strictly a personal choice. I've owned trailers since 1984 and never had one on a scale.

[VernDiesel]

Bet you at least used a WDH and early set up checked measurements. Setting up your load via scale results is still always best. Where as people who have had a "white knuckle" set up never have their numbers and always blame the truck instead of looking in the mirror.

[Brendon44]

Originally Posted by amblt

My 2011 F150 XLT 2WD ext cab w/ 5l V8 has posted payload of 1965lb. With a WDH I should be able to keep my 7500lb TT (just purchased,not yet delivered) tongue weight down to about 900-1000, so I feel quite comfortable with this combo.

First, Thanks for all the post regarding this topic. I definitely want to be safe and I think it will be possible, even if we get a rather small travel trailer I'm ok with that. Heck I'll sleep on the floor in a sleeping bag if I have to. My goal is to have a blast with the family while being safe towing/driving there.

As for the above quoted response, I'm a little confused- does a WDH actually decrease the overall weight the truck is taking (transfers some to the trailers axles) or only distribute more weight to the front of the truck to decrease the actual hitch weight?

Thanks guys!

[raspivey]

Originally Posted by Brendon44

First, Thanks for all the post regarding this topic. I definitely want to be safe and I think it will be possible, even if we get a rather small travel trailer I'm ok with that. Heck I'll sleep on the floor in a sleeping bag if I have to. My goal is to have a blast with the family while being safe towing/driving there.



As for the above quoted response, I'm a little confused- does a WDH actually decrease the overall weight the truck is taking (transfers some to the trailers axles) or only distribute more weight to the front of the truck to decrease the actual hitch weight?



Thanks guys!

It’ll transfer some to the trailer. Not a lot but some.

[SailorSam20500]

Originally Posted by Brendon44

As for the above quoted response, I'm a little confused- does a WDH actually decrease the overall weight the truck is taking (transfers some to the trailers axles) or only distribute more weight to the front of the truck to decrease the actual hitch weight?

Thanks guys!

Sort of a sideways answer to your question. At last years International Rally, I had my rig weighed by RVSEF (RV Safety and Education Foundation). Their number for tongue weight was based on 2 weighings. First truck only, no trailer. Second full rig with WD implemented. So, I expect some portion of the trailer weight was transferred to the trailer axles that would have been on the truck except for the WD of my hitch.
Side note, I was under all of my weight limits - I was told I was the only one at that point that had been all green.

[Shamrockthecasbah]

Originally Posted by Brendon44

First, Thanks for all the post regarding this topic. I definitely want to be safe and I think it will be possible, even if we get a rather small travel trailer I'm ok with that. Heck I'll sleep on the floor in a sleeping bag if I have to. My goal is to have a blast with the family while being safe towing/driving there.

As for the above quoted response, I'm a little confused- does a WDH actually decrease the overall weight the truck is taking (transfers some to the trailers axles) or only distribute more weight to the front of the truck to decrease the actual hitch weight?

Thanks guys!

I found that my Equaizer with 1000 lb bars would transfer about 150 lbs from the TV to the trailer.