Towing capacity

[dernst]

Does anyone know why the towing capacity of my 2016 F150 is 11,500 for a travel trailer but only 9800 for a fifth wheel. Thank you.

[B and B]

Did you check Ford Fleet specs? Also need to make sure you exactly the springs, tire size and type of hitch. The Cargo Carrying Capacity on the door is important.

[friendofacatahoula]

Here is a good resource for you to read over

2015 Half-ton Truck Tow Rating Reviews

When using the %20 average the pin weight will count against you when you add it to the rear axle weight.

[rockfordroo]

Short answer: Fifth wheels puts more of their weight on the pickup. So for an equivalent pin/hitch weight (i.e., "payload"), the fifth wheel must weigh less overall.

[bikendan]

You need to post the payload capacity of your truck.
That's where 1/2 ton truck's fall short, for towing 5th wheels.

[Codz03]

Go to ford specs and find your cab, wheelbase and gear ratio. We have a 2015 F150 and we can haul the same weight you posted but also load up the bed with 2150 lbs. We pull a Rockwood 8289ws with no problem.


2015 F150 Ecoboost 3.55
2016 Rockwood Signature Ultralite 8289WS
Reese 15K Pro Series

"Time Camping Isn't Spent, It's Invested"

[Semperfi24]

I think it is a physics problem when comparing travel trailer to 5th wheel. Think of it like if you were trying to move around the weight of a vehicle. You could hook a tow rope to your truck, and if the truck was in neutral, and on flat terrain, you could grab the rope in your hands, and pull the truck. It would be hard, but physically possible. But on the other hand, if you tried to grab to bumper and lift the truck up off the ground, it just isn't going to happen. That is a crude way of explaining the difference. The weight is distributed differently on the truck with a 5th wheel, putting more of the weight on the truck (which in my example is you trying to lift the truck) where a travel trailer puts less weight on the truck (which is pulling your truck in my example). If that makes sense?

[DreiHunde]

Originally Posted by Semperfi24

I think it is a physics problem when comparing travel trailer to 5th wheel. Think of it like if you were trying to move around the weight of a vehicle. You could hook a tow rope to your truck, and if the truck was in neutral, and on flat terrain, you could grab the rope in your hands, and pull the truck. It would be hard, but physically possible. But on the other hand, if you tried to grab to bumper and lift the truck up off the ground, it just isn't going to happen. That is a crude way of explaining the difference. The weight is distributed differently on the truck with a 5th wheel, putting more of the weight on the truck (which in my example is you trying to lift the truck) where a travel trailer puts less weight on the truck (which is pulling your truck in my example). If that makes sense?

Made sense to me

But....I'm a fellow Jarhead...so I can relate to crazy and strange explanations

Semper Fi!

[Martsing]

Originally Posted by DreiHunde

Made sense to me

But....I'm a fellow Jarhead...so I can relate to crazy and strange explanations

Semper Fi!

Made sense to me too. Must be a Marine thing.

SF!!

Marty

[Semperfi24]

Well then, now that all of us marines are on the same page, I hope the OP gets something out of it too. Lol.

[RollingDownTheHighway]

I think for a question like that you'll have to talk to ford. But it's most likely due to the payload of your truck. 5'ers have a heavy pin weight when loaded up.