Towing Numbers Question

[R0ADWarriors]

Looking at upgrading from Travel Trailer to 5th wheel. Our truck's towing capacity is 12000 pounds.

The 5th wheel we're looking at has a dry weight of 11,200 pounds.

We just do quick weekend trips so we don't carry water or load the camper up with a lot of stuff.

However, I'm confused if increased cargo weight in the truck, for example, the weight of family and 5th wheel hitch adds to towing capacity. I know that increases cargo capacity but, our truck will be more than ok and not get near the 4000 cargo capacity limit.

I just don't want to be right at, or over, the 12,000 towing limit.

[Oaklevel]

What is the gross weight of the fifth wheel. The dry weight is only that weight as it leaves the factory and never that little again. A very bad weight to go by. It does not include added options. Let alone cargo.

Just guessing the trailer probably actually weighs well over 12K. You need the gross weight ,a closer number to actual. The pin weight, weight of the hitch, passengers and cargo in the truck will takeaway from the trucks payload (cargo) capacity.

Does the trucks yellow door sticker actually say you have 4000 lb payload capacity, or are you getting that number somewhere else ?

[Boomerweps]

Last update to SAE tow standards include one 150# driver, ONE 150# passenger, and allows 100# for a WDH. All include a full fuel tank.
CARGO capacity only allows for a tank full, NO PEOPLE.
So, yes, you need to look at slights smaller RVs.
In simplest terms, tow capacity is the determined GCWR minus the tow vehicle curb weight AND the above listed items. Some manufacturers make finding GCWR easy (GM) and some hard (Ford).

[R0ADWarriors]

The 5th wheel max is 14,000 pounds.

And yes, the yellow sticker on the truck says 3914 cargo capacity.

We have a 2015 F350, SRW, gas not diesel.

[Oaklevel]

A good guess without a cat scale weigh, is the trailer weighs from 13K to 14K.

I can say I have a dually with a greater capacity but my fifth wheel Dry weight was 11K my actual CAT scale weight was 13,800.

Personally I would look for a smaller trailer.

[yukongold]

Originally Posted by R0ADWarriors

However, I'm confused if increased cargo weight in the truck . . . . . adds to towing capacity.

No. The trucks towing capacity rating (relatively meaningless number, btw) is not effected by how much weight is in the truck.

Your hitch weight, with that trailer, would be 2800-3000 pounds. You would still have almost 900 pounds of payload capacity. My opinion is - you'll be well under payload - don't worry about the "towing" capacity. (ever see that video of an F-150 pulling a million pound locomotive?)

[Bob K4TAX]

Now as many have written, dry weight is a "salesman's make you feel good" weight. While valid as the trailer left the factory, add anything to the trailer by the dealer or yourself and one is no longer at the meaningless dry weight.

Look for the GVRW value for the trailer. This is the number you want to use. As a safe value, the towing capacity of the truck should be 120% to 130% of the GVRW of the trailer. The better option is to have more truck than needed and never max out anything.

Loaded for camping and weighed on CAT scales, our rig is at 80% of the towing capacity of the truck and nearly 100% of the cargo capacity of the truck. I can assure anyone while pulling this trailer through hilly middle TN and into the Smokey Mountains, the truck has all the trailer it wants behind it.

Bob

[Boomerweps]

Originally Posted by yukongold

No. The trucks towing capacity rating (relatively meaningless number, btw) is not effected by how much weight is in the truck.

Your hitch weight, with that trailer, would be 2800-3000 pounds. You would still have almost 900 pounds of payload capacity. My opinion is - you'll be well under payload - don't worry about the "towing" capacity. (ever see that video of an F-150 pulling a million pound locomotive?)

Sorry but your first statement is just incorrect. Towing capacity DOES INCLUDE the cargo capacity of the tow vehicle. Towing capacity equals GCWR minus the tow vehicle curb weight. Curb weight does not include cargo. It’s all about pumping the numbers for bragging rights and advertising. So every pound you add to the truck lessens the rated tow capacity one pound.

[realshelby]

The rating that matters here is Gross Combined Vehicle Weight Rating ( GCVWR ). Might be listed on the door jamb sticker....or go to the 2015 Ford Towing Guide ( https://blueovaltrucks.com/tech/pdf_...wing_guide.pdf ).
On this Ford towing guide the GCVWR is 19,200 lbs. That means the truck, people, anything in the truck, the trailer and everything in the trailer should not exceed 19,200 lbs. IMO this is more important that tow rating and is often overlooked.
This chart says the 2015 gas F-350 SRW can have a fifth wheel tow rating of as low as 12,000, or up to 15,900 ( if a regular cab with 4;30 gears). You don't mention the cab, gear ratio, or 2 or 4 wheel drive.

I sold Ford products for many years. Sort of the guy everyone went to when someone came in asking about towing or hauling specs. Even had a couple contacts at RV dealers that would inquire or even send customers.
What I learned early on is that you can tell the customer the specs they need to have to tow the RV they are going to use.....and they will buy something else anyway. The few that listen and buy the right tool for the job always come out ahead as they are happy with how their rig tows.

[Bob K4TAX]

Originally Posted by R0ADWarriors

Looking at upgrading from Travel Trailer to 5th wheel. Our truck's towing capacity is 12000 pounds.

The 5th wheel we're looking at has a dry weight of 11,200 pounds.

We just do quick weekend trips so we don't carry water or load the camper up with a lot of stuff.

However, I'm confused if increased cargo weight in the truck, for example, the weight of family and 5th wheel hitch adds to towing capacity. I know that increases cargo capacity but, our truck will be more than ok and not get near the 4000 cargo capacity limit.

I just don't want to be right at, or over, the 12,000 towing limit.

Here is what I've used. Of course, you would have to actually weigh the truck and trailer to fill in the blanks, but a good guess is a starting point. Otherwise, use the GVRW values of the truck and the trailer.

http://towingplanner.com/Calculators...stimate/?ct=FW


Dry weight is meaningless!!!

Bob