Towing capacity?

[Rockwoodmiami]

Age old question. How much can I tow on a trailer? I read the ford trailer guide and it says the max weight is 9200. Is it that simple? I have a 2008 F150 supercrew 4x4 with a 5.4 triton. Here is some more detailed info. Please help!

[bikendan]

what you need is the rear end ratio of your truck. your owner's manual will have the tow capacities in it.
it's usually based on engine, rear end ratio, cab/bed size and if it has the factory tow package.

according to the 2008 Ford Towing Guide, your truck has a tow capacity range between 8200-9300lbs., depending on rear end ratio and bed length.

https://www.fleet.ford.com/showroom/...TTgdeSep08.pdf

[Rockwoodmiami]

3.73 gear ratio with factory tow package. No owners manuel:-(

[Herk7769]

It is, of course, never that simple.

Maximum tow weight is just that. Maximum.
Beyond that damage to truck will occur (over time).

It is calculated with the truck empty (driver and full tank of gas).

Adding stuff to truck has an impact on what can be towed safely.

Travel Trailer Weight Calculator

is a good starting point.

[bikendan]

Originally Posted by Rockwoodmiami

3.73 gear ratio with factory tow package. No owners manuel:-(

then it should be between 9200 and 9300lbs., unless it's a Harley-Davidson Package or Lariat Limited.

and remember, this is based on only a 150lb. driver and a full tank of gas, in the truck.

if you're thinking of a fifth wheel, then you have to look at payload and rear axle capacity.

[kamp k]

As someone who had a 2007 F150 Supercrew with 5.4 and 3.73 rear and same tow rating as you, I can tell you that I was towing a 22' Keystone Outback 21rs that weighed about 5500-6000 lbs fully loaded. The F150 towed it without much issue at all, a little slow in the mountains, but no issues whatsoever on flat terrain, though I certainly knew it was back there. I would have felt comortable towing up to 7500 lbs as long as I had the payload capacity for the tongue weight.

To answer your question, no it's not that simple. As mentioned, among other things, you'll also want to factor in tongue weight of your loaded trailer along with your available payload capacity. This is where 1/2 tons typically run into issues. The payload gets exceeded long before the towing capacity does.

On my 2007 F150 for example, by the time I factored in the weight of my family, a full tank of gas, the cargo in the truck bed like firewood, dutchovens, bikes, inflatable kayak, etc, my available payload was less than 500-600 pounds, which was fine for the Outback, but then we decided to buy a much larger trailer (2012 Windjammer 3008w) that was much longer, heavier, and twice the tongue weight of my Outback. I knew my F150 did not have the payload capacity to handle a trailer of this size expecially with the tongue weight of our loaded Windjammer most likely being at or over 1000 lbs, even though I still would have been under the F150's tow capacity.

Good luck!

[Rockwoodmiami]

Thank you all.....

[thebrakeman]

I don't know if it was stressed enough by others (though mentioned at least twice). Truck's max tow ratings are with an empty truck and a driver only. In other words, for every pound you put in or on the truck, you need to subtract a pound from the tow rating. If the family weighs 600 lbs and you put another 600 lbs of stuff in the bed, your tow rating drops by 1200 lbs.

Another way to look at this is to start with the combined rating (GCVWR), and subtract all of your known weights (empty truck, people, and payload) to come up with your actual towing rating (not to exceed the stated MAX rating). But with a truck, this should yield the same results.

Minivans and many crossovers will often have the ability to tow at their max tow rating, with some extra capacity left over for some cargo in the vehicle. That's simply because they are limited by the structure. The engine is fine pulling higher combined weight, but the structure can't handle extra behind the body.

[blake2727]

According to your door sticker I think you have a 3.55 rear end instead of a 3.73. Look at the bottom were it says axel. The 19 is the number for a 3.55. I think the 3.73 will be a 31, 34, 41, 61, or 81 in that space on the sticker. Those numbers are for non positive traction. Limited slip should be like a 3 digit number with a letter following the numbers.

[MtnGuy]

Originally Posted by blake2727

According to your door sticker I think you have a 3.55 rear end instead of a 3.73. Look at the bottom were it says axel. The 19 is the number for a 3.55.

Sharp pickup (no pun intended) on that Blake. With that info, along with the OPers information, and the WB of 139" on the door sticker, that truck is rated to tow a maximum of 8300 lbs. with a GCWR of 14,000 lbs. 18" wheels will reduce the tow rating another 500 lbs.

[MtnGuy]

Originally Posted by kamp k

To answer your question, no it's not that simple. As mentioned, among other things, you'll also want to factor in tongue weight of your loaded trailer along with your available payload capacity. This is where 1/2 tons typically run into issues. The payload gets exceeded long before the towing capacity does.

Excellent point, kamp k. That is where the short comings of my setup are. I am towing a 5500 lb. trailer ready to camp. I am at 57% of my rated towing capacity, 77% of my GCWR, but at 93% of GVWR with me sitting in the seat. Add the missus and dog, and I am at 98% of my GVWR.

The missus and dog get mad when I leave them behind.

[blake2727]

The dogs stay at home for me but the wife would not be happy if she got left. The reason I caught the rear end ratio was because I just happened to be looking at mine, its not something I knew off of the top of my head. I normally tow my tt with our tahoe but i'm thinking about adding trailer brakes to my f-150 for an upcoming trip so that is why I caught it. I'm not sure if its pre wired for them or not.