2013 f150 Realistic towing

[chuck9997]

2013 Ford f150 STX, super cab, SWB, 3.31 gear ratio. Tow rating 8100 pounds. I have the factory tow package... but I don't think that adds anything to the towing capacity. Also have factory brake controller.

What do you think is the max camper UVW I should look at towing with this truck? Opinions please.

[bikendan]

Which engine and what is the payload capacity?
The payload capacity is on the Tire and Loading sticker on the driver door.
It'll say "Occupants and Cargo should not exceed xxxxlbs"

[chuck9997]

Originally Posted by bikendan

Which engine and what is the payload capacity?
The payload capacity is on the Tire and Loading sticker on the driver door.
It'll say "Occupants and Cargo should not exceed xxxxlbs"

Meant to include.. it's a 5.0L v8. Payload 2589.

[clarkbre]

With that payload of 2589, you've actually got a very well equipped F150 to handle a larger trailer's tongue weight.

If you have the factory brake controller and proper tow package, you could find a trailer with a GVWR of about 7500 and still have plenty of payload to spare.

7500 x 15% (tongue weight) = A tongue weight of 1,125

2589 - 1125 = 1464 worth of capacity for people and gear in the bed of the truck.

For comparison, the F250 in my signature has a payload capacity of 2766 (my old 2011 F150 Crewcab, 4x4 Ecoboost had 1529). I was on cloud 9 to get 1200+ more payload.

To keep things safe and stable, I wouldn't want to go with a trailer more than 30' total in length. The trailer in my signature is 29'7" and that was plenty long for the 145" F150 wheelbase.

The F250 with 156" wheelbase and higher payload was a welcomed upgrade.

Your F150 is a good one.

[llr]

Sounds like you stumbled on to one of the rare heavy duty payload packages almost 3/4 ton

[Lzerarc]

I had a '13 f150 with 3.31 and ecoboost engine. I towed a 6800 lb, 32' long passport. Honestly it struggled on basic hills due to the axle rating. I got a 16' f150 ecoboost with 3.55 and max tow package. Gears made a huge difference. From that experience I would look for something less than 28' and 6500 lbs. This isn't a payload thing, it's a 5.0/3.31 issue IMO. Can it tow more? Sure, however it was slow going and shifted a lot. Needed 3rd gear to go up even 3-4% grades. This is from personal experience with a 13, and same gears.

[Hersbird]

Well I wouldn't go by UVW, but I would be comfortable towing a 8100 pound loaded camper with 1000 pounds on the tongue with that truck. Most trailers are limited by what axles are under them. Common axles have a 3500 pound rating so 2 of them makes for a bunch of 7000 pound rated trailers. Actually they will be ratied something like 7650 pounds GVWR with 650 pounds being carried by the tongue. This is probably the size you will be looking at, the UVW will be around 5-6000 pounds. The next step up seems to be trailers with about a 10,000 pound GVWR which will be 7-8000 pounds UVW. This would be too much. Good news is there are 100's of campers in that 7300-8000 pound GVWR class that will be perfect.

[TheGerman]

That payload sticker is from a 2009, how about one from the actual truck .... ?

[TheWolfPaq82]

VIN Decoder
2009 Ford F-150 2WD SuperCab 163
2009 Ford F-150 2WD SuperCab 163" XL
VIN: 1FTVX12V99KA89097

[upflying]

OP's truck also has a 5.4 Modular V8 engine.
https://www.faxvin.com/vin-decoder/r...VX12V99KA89097

[bikendan]

That seems to be an unbelievable payload for a 2009 5.4 F150.

[chuck9997]

Originally Posted by TheGerman

That payload sticker is from a 2009, how about one from the actual truck .... ?

Well.. it is from the actual truck.. but something is going on. That VIN is also showing a salvage title. I bought this truck brand new from a FORD dealer in early 2014. The VIN seems to come back to a LARIAT trim package too.. my truck is an STX.

Going to look into this further today. Going to compare to the VIN in the front windshield and other places. Something weird going on here.

[chuck9997]

Thanks for the responses... let's start over. The VIN is actually 1FTFX1CF9DFC32031.. This from the other sticker in the door jam and the windshield and the original window sticker and paperwork.

Seems the tire pressure and payload sticker is wrong (wrong vin).

It is 2013 FORD F150
Super Cab, SWB 2 wheel drive
5.0L V8
3.31 Elect Lock RR Axle
Factory Tow Package
Factory Brake Controller

When I look up the tow rating... I am seeing 8100 pounds. I have pulled an affame and a 22 foot travel trailer.. UVW of those, probably 4000 - 5000 pounds.

[CentralMePistol]

Ok... I have some quick thoughts about what you "can" pull.

Having done much research and calculating in my own camper search;

What is the weight of your truck fully loaded for camping; people, gas, gear.
Then find the Gross Combined Vehicle Weight Rating (GCWR). Subtract your vehicle weight from this rating.

The number you get would be a good place to start as a GVWR of your camper. NOT the dry weight- the MAX weight it is rated to be. It is always less than the manufacturer stated "towing capacity".

For example, my truck says I can pull 9,500 pounds. But the GCWR is 15,000lbs. Well after doing the math my camper can only weigh 8,000lbs- much less than my stated "tow rating". So I bought a camper with a GVWR of 7,700 pounds (stated dry is 6,000 but loaded its 7,000lbs). So I "should" always be under my limits.
I suppose if I don't take the kids and wife or any gear I could pull a 9,000lb camper... and now that I say it, I may be looking for a heavier camper

[upflying]

Originally Posted by bikendan

That seems to be an unbelievable payload for a 2009 5.4 F150.

The link I posted shows the payload is 1490 lbs.
I wonder what possessed Ford to install an altered and counterfeit NHTSA tag in OP's one owner truck?
Overstating payload to make a sale? I find this very bizarre and OP should report this fraudulent label to NHTSA. It is a safety hazard.
https://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/VehicleComplaint/

[upflying]

Originally Posted by chuck9997

Thanks for the responses... let's start over. The VIN is actually 1FTFX1CF9DFC32031.. This from the other sticker in the door jam and the windshield and the original window sticker and paperwork.

Seems the tire pressure and payload sticker is wrong (wrong vin).

It is 2013 FORD F150
Super Cab, SWB 2 wheel drive
5.0L V8
3.31 Elect Lock RR Axle
Factory Tow Package
Factory Brake Controller

When I look up the tow rating... I am seeing 8100 pounds. I have pulled an affame and a 22 foot travel trailer.. UVW of those, probably 4000 - 5000 pounds.

FAXVIN shows your payload as follows..pretty impressive for a F150.
Standard Payload
1870 lbs
Maximum Payload
2080 lbs

[clarkbre]

It's doubtful that Ford had a stack of 2009 stickers sitting around the shop in 2013 and just had to use them up.

My only guess on the mismatched payload sticker is that it is placed on the door itself and the door was swapped. If the original truck's driver door was damaged, the dealer may have replaced it with an older door rather than fix it. That would be the only logical explanation of having a different truck's payload sticker on the driver door.

But, my next thought is that those stickers in '13 would have been on the door jamb.

I'm at a loss...

At the very least, your dealer owes you a solid explanation as to why they sold a vehicle that was misrepresented.

[TheGerman]

Here's a link to two pictures of the truck that the payload label is from: https://autoauctions.io/public/3020268/2009-ford-f150
It's a long wheelbase 2wd and the payload sticker lists LT tires so it likely has a heavy duty payload package.

The OP should pester the dealer to get the correct payload information from Ford, and a corrrected sticker. Obviously something questionable has been going on there.

[JohnD10]

Would a 2009 door even fit on a 2013 model?

[clarkbre]

Originally Posted by JohnD10

Would a 2009 door even fit on a 2013 model?

I would think so. They come from the same generation.