Quote:
Originally Posted by swj
When we got into RVING, we bought a F150 with a payload of 1800 lbs that could tow a 12,000 lbs trailer. Purchased a 5800 dry weight trailer with a 683 lbs dry tongue weight.
Then we added a 200 lbs P3 WD hitch, got rid of the 1 battery on the trailer and replace with 2 group 27 batteries and filled the 2 propane bottles up. we travel with a 150 lbs generator. When we scale the loaded trailer now, it weights between 6,000 lbs and 6,500 lbs. Tongue weight is approx. 1300 lbs now. We're well within spec with the F250. The F250 has a 3,663 lbs payload.
Needed the P3 to eliminate sway. Needed the 2 batteries and generator to be able to camp in the National Parks and run the furnace at night and recharge batteries for the nxt night.
Where I'm going with all this? If you plan to tow a dry weight trailer that weights 6,000 lbs, you need a 3/4 ton truck. Forget the 1/2 ton truck.
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Did you ever check with and without the WDH on the F-150?
The F-150 usually hits a cargo limit with a trailer around 7000-9000 lb depending on how much weight you are putting on the tongue. You are supposed to have at least 10%, preferably 12% of the trailer weight on the hitch for stability. The more you put on the hitch the less trailer total weight you can tow. I have storage at the back of my trailer and put as much as possible in the back. Plus I put the tool box, bottled water, etc in the bathroom, also at the back of the trailer to try to balance out.
When I don't put the WDH on full the truck has much more swaying. It's a chain based WDH, so its 2 links vs 3. Dealer said 2 would be fine, and it was going home empty. But after loading the front bay full it wasn't enough.
You load your trailer very heavy in the front and therefore have a high hitch weight that even the WDH probably can't fix. Yes the truck manufacturer assumes a perfectly loaded trailer. The trailer guy doesn't care and puts all the storage in the front.
BTW, I've heard on this forum that it's still useful to use the WDH on the F-250. I wouldn't know. I'm picking up a new F-350 this week. And a fiver next week. Hope I don't really need a dually.
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