Towing and weight limits

[Bradswife]

We have a Ford F150 with 8000 lb trailer weight limit. The 3008w Windjammer weighs 7164 lbs. I know we're supposed to stay around 7000 lbs but is 164 lbs that much of a difference? The Ford is a 2011-5.0L, 3.55 rear axle ratio, super crew, 4x2, 8000 lb max trailer weight and 13,500 GCWR. We really don't want to replace our truck if possible but the trailers we like all seem to be just over 7000 lbs with the options on them.

[Platokidd]

Originally Posted by Bradswife

We have a Ford F150 with 8000 lb trailer weight limit. The 3008w Windjammer weighs 7164 lbs. I know we're supposed to stay around 7000 lbs but is 164 lbs that much of a difference? The Ford is a 2011-5.0L, 3.55 rear axle ratio, super crew, 4x2, 8000 lb max trailer weight and 13,500 GCWR. We really don't want to replace our truck if possible but the trailers we like all seem to be just over 7000 lbs with the options on them.

Go to the cat scales and get some weight readings. You might be very surprised on how much you really weigh. Here is a web site to plug the numbers in. Then crunch the numbers.
Travel Trailer Weight Calculator

Get 3 weight readings, TV and TT with bars on (this will tell you if the front axle has enough lbs on it), bars off and then just your truck. Then put all the REAL NUMBERS (no bars) into the blanks on that web page.

[Cajun Po-Boy]

Originally Posted by Bradswife

We have a Ford F150 with 8000 lb trailer weight limit. The 3008w Windjammer weighs 7164 lbs. I know we're supposed to stay around 7000 lbs but is 164 lbs that much of a difference? The Ford is a 2011-5.0L, 3.55 rear axle ratio, super crew, 4x2, 8000 lb max trailer weight and 13,500 GCWR. We really don't want to replace our truck if possible but the trailers we like all seem to be just over 7000 lbs with the options on them.

Is that weight # the listed dry weight (7164)? If yes, once TT is loaded with propane, battery & gear...you'll most likely weigh in @ 8164lbs.
Then the answer would be yes, your over your limits...that's not including your weights in the truck itself that will subtract for your overall payload ability.

Calculate the specific weight numbers on your truck vs overall GCWR and that'll help you decide what camper fits within your range (remember to look at the GVWR # for the camper in mind & not the dry weight # listed, total camper weight limit is more realistic).

[RalphieAdie]

You might want to PM Capt Mike. He recently purchased a Windjammer hoping to pull it with his 1500. Don't know the exact reasons why, but he decided to upgrade to a 2500 fairly quickly after he too delivery.

[Dave_Monica]

The spec lists a dry weight of 7087 lb and GVWR of 8650 lb and s dry hitch weight of 825 lb. Too much camper for your truck IMHO.

Dave

[ependydad]

Your total weight capacity is generally impossible to achieve without exceeding other limits first. For instance, my in-laws 4Runner has a 7,000 pound limit, but given their cargo carrying capacity, they'll be maxed out with a 5,000 pound trailer.

The truck is limited to how much it can/was designed to carry. This is the truck, your stuff in it, your driver, all passengers, stuff in the truck bed, heavy things like bed covers/caps, coolers, firewood, the weight of the hitch and then what's left over for carrying tongue weight. You'd be surprised at how little can be left over. For instance, wife and I aren't small, but with the kids, our usual stuff in the truck and bed and a heavy fifth wheel hitch, we take up 1,200 pounds of our payload capacity.

[Herk7769]

Available tow vehicle payload is normally the limiting factor in trailer selection ESPECIALLY in 5th wheels.

Got to a scale with your truck full of fuel with your family and whatever you will have in the bed of the truck when you camp and weight it.

Add about 75 pounds for the hitch you will be using.

Subtract that amount from the posted GVWR of the truck. (found on the pillar of your truck)

What is left is "available payload."

Multiply that number by 8.333 (for a travel trailer -12%) or (5 for a 5th wheel- 20%) to find the heaviest camper your truck can "carry" - pin weight or tongue weight). It will almost always be less than your tow rating which is based on JUST a 150 pound driver and nothing else in the truck.

Also use the GVWR number on the trailer (never the dry weight) to determine if the truck can PULL it; let alone carry its share of the weight.

[Blackrock]

The weight limits for your truck are for the stock equipment on that truck as delivered. You can upgrade tires to LT's and add an additional trans cooler and maybe rear airbags but you will still have an F150 base chassis and drive train.

The trailer has a 'Dry' hitch weight of 825# to consider as well as the 'Dry' TT weight of a little over 7000#. Add propane tanks and batteries on the tongue and a couple hundred pounds of cargo and all the number go up.

[garbonz]

Oh boy, you will be above your payload capacity, almost certainly. The truck can probably handle it, but I'd think twice.

[Frankm2]

That poor poor dog. We've beat it to death

[Batts-toy]

Wow, everyone jumped in there with opinions and numbers and didn't say welcome to Bradswife, this was her first post.

Welcome to the forum Bradswife, from mid California.

[Herk7769]

Hmm, since the thread was in the Rockwood forum, I missed it was an initial post. Truly, welcome to the forums.

Buying the right camper for your situation is always a trying time. Getting the right one is a dance between wants, needs, and limitations (financial, as well as realistic expectations).

We normally get this question AFTER the member has purchased and after the first white knuckled camping trip. Many campers never leave the driveway again after that first harrowing drive.

Glad to see you are using good judgment in discovering your optimum camper before you buy. Also be sure to search for "confessions of a car salesman" and "why one dealer can sell for less" threads before you go shopping. It can save you literally thousands on your camper.

[Platokidd]

Yikes
Didnt notice there was no welcome wagon

Welcome to the peanut gallery

[Jjs2000z]

I recently purchased a 2014 stealth 2715 and I am towing it with my 2012 f150 4x4 5.0,crew cab short bed, 3.73's. the dry weight on my trailer is 7450 lbs. loaded its around 9500 lbs. the gvwr on the trailer is 9990. That number was created recently by forest river so people can still tow with a class c license. I did add Firestone rear air bags and this truck pulls the trailer just fine. I have the 10,000lb equalizer away hitch set up. I highly recommend this set up.

[Bradswife]

Thank you all for your responses and help. Thanks for welcoming me too! We are trying not to make a mistake and it is hard to understand all of this. We had a mechanic and salesmen tell us we were fine but apparently it's not a wise decision.

If we upgrade to a different truck, we'd like to be able to stay with a truck that fits in our garage. Is the f150 6.2L with 3.73 ratio a good choice to be able to tow what we want and be reasonable to drive around the rest of the time?

[Jjs2000z]

I believe that is a raptor. Around. $70k and is worse for towing

[pappcam]

There are lots of trailers in the 6500# GVWR range with plenty of options and amenities.

My advice is to keep looking for a trailer that meets your truck's needs along with your own.

[Dave_Monica]

Originally Posted by Bradswife

If we upgrade to a different truck, we'd like to be able to stay with a truck that fits in our garage. Is the f150 6.2L with 3.73 ratio a good choice to be able to tow what we want and be reasonable to drive around the rest of the time?

You should consider a F150 with the max towing package which is rated for 11300 lb and has more payload than a F150 with the regular tow package. If you want even more payload capacity, you can option a max payload package which has a GVWR of 8200 lbs and payload around 2500 lbs.

Dave

[Flying dutchman]

X2 with the advice of Dave...

And a F150 with hd or max tow would still be fine as a daily vehicle to drive.