Question after CAT scale results

[FR27]

I have a question for those that have more experience than I when it comes to CAT scale results. I have money down to hold an F250 after my first tow in our new TT with my F150. Before I sign the paperwork for the F250 I want to make sure I'm reading the numbers right. I feel my F150 is close to its limits. What do you think? Thanks!

Current TV: 2015 Ford F150 Supercrew short box with 3.5 ecoboost
GVWR 7000#
Payload 1900#
Front GAWR 3375#
Rear CAWR 3800#

Current TT: 2018 FR Rockwood 2706ws
GVWR 8073#
Payload 1486#
Length 32'10"

WDH: Equalizer with 12000# bars.

CAT results of TV loaded, no TT attached 5746#
CAT results with TT attached to TV and WDH in place:
Steer axle 2980#
Drive axle 3700#
Trailer axle 6180#
Gross weight 12860#

[Kaadk]

Need the full set of CAT results for both with and without trailer to really run the numbers, but let's look at it in a different light:

The fact that you've put a deposit on a F-250 means you felt something was off about towing with your F-150 right? If you're not comfortable with F-150, no amount of us saying "It's ok" is going to change that. If the F-250 makes you more comfortable, go with the F-250, provided you can afford it of course.

[MillMitch]

You are within specs, but I agree with Kaadk; you had a reason for putting a deposit down, so you should probably go with your instincts. I'm towing a lighter 28' TT w/ a Durango w/ similar specs to your pickup GVW 7100, front axle 3200 rear axle 3900. and we're staying within 5 hours of home (no mountains) until i get a chance to get a pickup.
Good luck with whatever you decide.

[FR27]

Originally Posted by Kaadk

Need the full set of CAT results for both with and without trailer to really run the numbers, but let's look at it in a different light:

The fact that you've put a deposit on a F-250 means you felt something was off about towing with your F-150 right? If you're not comfortable with F-150, no amount of us saying "It's ok" is going to change that. If the F-250 makes you more comfortable, go with the F-250, provided you can afford it of course.

I'm looking at the new truck so I can tow safer and carry more payload if I desire. As is, the TT is nor loaded up much and all the tanks are empty. According to my figures I'm pretty close to GVWR on my TV if not slightly over.

[kfergiez]

You left out the one of the most important numbers which is the

GCWR of your TV. Do you know what that is? Sometimes that number is lower than your individual ratings.

[FR27]

Originally Posted by kfergiez

You left out the one of the most important numbers which is the

GCWR of your TV. Do you know what that is? Sometimes that number is lower than your individual ratings.

It is 16100#

[clarkbre]

With the information provided so far, below is what the current numbers look like. In order to determine if the truck, trailer & WDH are truly well matched, we need the individual axle weights of the truck without the trailer and then the truck with the trailer sans WDH bars engaged. Doing so will allow you to see the weight on each axle and overall weight to determine if your truck is truly overloaded.

[FR27]

Originally Posted by clarkbre

With the information provided so far, below is what the current numbers look like. In order to determine if the truck, trailer & WDH are truly well matched, we need the individual axle weights of the truck without the trailer and then the truck with the trailer sans WDH bars engaged. Doing so will allow you to see the weight on each axle and overall weight to determine if your truck is truly overloaded.

Attachment 172920

Truck without TT:
Steer axle 3180#
Drive axle 2320#

TV and TT together with WDH engaged:
Steer axle 2980#
Drive axle 3700#
TT axle 6180#

[jonzer12]

Honestly I think your trailer is paired decently with your truck. I would start looking at tires/hitch/loading adjustments but I have many thousands of towing miles behind me with a very similar rockwood 2701 using 2 different F-150's.

It is amazing what a hitch adjustment, or hitch upgrade can do. A fully loaded trailer at 7114 pounds is half ton towable.

[emm-dee]

Originally Posted by clarkbre

With the information provided so far, below is what the current numbers look like. In order to determine if the truck, trailer & WDH are truly well matched, we need the individual axle weights of the truck without the trailer and then the truck with the trailer sans WDH bars engaged. Doing so will allow you to see the weight on each axle and overall weight to determine if your truck is truly overloaded.

Attachment 172920

The weights without the WDH in place are not relevant unless one plans to not use the hitch.

The OP weights with the TT hooked up show the truck is 320 pounds below maximum weight. More importantly, the rear axle is 100 pounds below max. Adding passengers, gear and gas is going to eat into the 320 pounds of available useful load pretty fast and depending on load location could overload the rear axle while still being below overall max weight.

The configuration and weights as posted are definitely below the truck limits. My previous 1500 truck had very similar numbers although the the TT is much heavier. The biggest problem was stopping a 9,000 pound trailer with 1930’s technology brakes. Solved that issue by putting hydraulic disc brakes on the trailer. I upgraded to a 2500 in order to have more stability. Driving the length of Oklahoma last week with 20-30 knot quartering crosswinds would have been an issue with the 1500 but the 2500 handled it just fine.

[FR27]

Originally Posted by jonzer12

Honestly I think your trailer is paired decently with your truck. I would start looking at tires/hitch/loading adjustments but I have many thousands of towing miles behind me with a very similar rockwood 2701 using 2 different F-150's.

It is amazing what a hitch adjustment, or hitch upgrade can do. A fully loaded trailer at 7114 pounds is half ton towable.

I know the engine can tow my TT. My concern is at or going over payload capacity. The payload for my TV is 1905#

[jonzer12]

You stated that your truck was loaded (ready for a trip) and the trailer was as well. If that was true you should be good. Based on your axle weights with the TT attached your steer and rear axles addup to 6680. If you have 1900# of payload (we don't know the curb weight of your truck since you posted only the loaded weight but it must be over 5000 pounds). you should be fine.


I don't think weight is the issue with your trailer. What driving dynamic with your trailer is causing you concern? That will tell you what adjustment to make. This is probably the first thread I ever seen where the result may not be you need a bigger truck.

[FR27]

Originally Posted by jonzer12

You stated that your truck was loaded (ready for a trip) and the trailer was as well. If that was true you should be good. Based on your axle weights with the TT attached your steer and rear axles addup to 6680. If you have 1900# of payload (we don't know the curb weight of your truck since you posted only the loaded weight but it must be over 5000 pounds). you should be fine.


I don't think weight is the issue with your trailer. What driving dynamic with your trailer is causing you concern? That will tell you what adjustment to make. This is probably the first thread I ever seen where the result may not be you need a bigger truck.

Yes, the truck and trailer were loaded with the bare minimum. I would like to be able to load it up more, both TV and TT, and have that option. I didn't even have the camp chairs in it yet.
The biggest concern is the TT pushing the TV around, especially in windy conditions. Also, the engine working extra hard. We have some over the road trips planned and I want the family and myself to be safe.

[Mike ONeill]

Were all passengers included in weights as well any pets and fuel load, it sounds like you want to carry more so a 3/4 ton would serve you well, my TT loaded was near my 1500’s max and strained going up mountains and pushed the transmission temps higher than they should be had to (replace rear end) my 2500 Diesel does not know the TT is there and I pull my 42 ft 5th with ease also.

[CurtPutnam]

FWIW, I offer two thoughts:

1) - I do not like to run equipment at much over 75% capacity. Unstrained equipment will live longer and is less likely to break.

2) - A bigger truck will help to keep the "tail from wagging the dog." When you have a loaded trailer weight => truck weight, I call that undesirable.

Just sayin' .....

[FR27]

Originally Posted by CurtPutnam

FWIW, I offer two thoughts:

1) - I do not like to run equipment at much over 75% capacity. Unstrained equipment will live longer and is less likely to break.

2) - A bigger truck will help to keep the "tail from wagging the dog." When you have a loaded trailer weight => truck weight, I call that undesirable.

Just sayin' .....

I'm going tomorrow to make a final decision of the F250 I put money down on. The bottom line is my F150 is close to its limits and I was not even fully loaded since I just picked the TT up from the dealer. I will provide an update later.

[JCDMeyer]

You're barely under by 138#. Did you factor for fuel? Gas is 6.1#/gallon.

[vmax]

This is what proper weight distribution hitch #'s and setup look like on a cat scale printout.

Cat scale weights.
TV loaded=8500

TV with Rv in tow WDH engaged. (equalizer 1200)

Steer axle=7040
drive axle=2460
trailer axle=7660

steer axle/drive axle=9500-8500 TV known weight=1000 lb Tongue Wt.

7660 Lbs. TT +1000 Lbs. Tongue Wt =8660 TT loaded. Tanks MT.

It looks to me like your WDH isn't doing it's job or am I missing something?

[kfergiez]

Originally Posted by JCDMeyer

You're barely under by 138#. Did you factor for fuel? Gas is 6.1#/gallon.

Gas isn't included in payload capacities.

[clarkbre]

Without having these 3 scale readings, no one will know how well or not the WDH is working.

1. Truck only, no trailer. Seperate #'s for steering and drive axle.
2. Truck and trailer, no WD bars disengaged, in bed of truck. Seperate #'s for steering, drive and both trailer axles combined.
3. Truck and trailer, WDH engaged. Seperate #'s for steering, drive and both trailer axles combined.

Based on scale readings:
1 & 2, we can know the actual tongue weight and how much weight is lifted off the steering axle.
2 & 3, we can know how much weight the WDH is transferring back to the steering axles and if it needs to be adjusted.

Without all 3 measurements, we are just making the best internet, educated guesses.