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Old 05-31-2020, 01:49 PM   #1
Tom Stauffer
 
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Advice needed for 2016 F150 long bed 3.5 eco-boost with towing package

I am looking for someone who is willing to have a conversation with me about things I can do to increase my load capacity of the pickup, while having a possible impact on the towing capacity of 11,600. There are several people in this forum who are very knowledgeable, and I would like your advice. Topics include adding leaf springs, or air shocks, etc.
thank you
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Old 05-31-2020, 06:38 PM   #2
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There is nothing that you can do, to change the factory sticker payload capacity.
You can do air bags but they don't increase payload, they just help with rear sag.
You can modify the suspension but legally, it doesn't change what the truck's rated for.
Which factory tow package does yours have?
You appear to have a 5th Wheel with a fictional pin weight of 1200lbs. Unless you have the Heavy Duty Payload package in your F150, you're over payload.
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Old 05-31-2020, 07:31 PM   #3
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If you are thinking about towing the trailer in your signature without being WAY over your payload, don't. Buy a 3/4T truck.
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Old 05-31-2020, 07:43 PM   #4
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Quote:
Originally Posted by tpstauffer View Post
[...] things I can do to increase my load capacity of the pickup, [...] Topics include adding leaf springs, or air shocks, etc.
thank you
You're thinking backward about this. You're asking about increasing load capacity (payload) and then thinking of *adding* things. Literally, everything you add will reduce payload. HD shocks, add-a-leaf, sway bar, air bags, and so on. Each one of those aftermarket items will reduce your load capacity. They may improve your towing experience, but they reduce available payload.

If you want to increase your payload, start ripping out factory stuff. Pull out the radio and all of your audio equipment. Dump any fog lights or other factory aux lighting. Consider removing your Air Conditioning equipment. Maybe tear out your heater core. If nobody is using rear seats, remove them. If you have a moonroof, tear that out and find a light plexiglass lid. And, so on.

The only way to increase payload capacity is to remove weight from your truck.

Towing capacity is a garbage marketing number, particularly for 1/2 tons. Forget you ever heard it.

I can't find the trailer in your signature. I don't see an 8335 FK in Rockwood's lineup or through a Google search. I can find an 8335BSS and an 8335SB, which are 36-37', 9,500 lb beasts. You'll want at least 2,000 lb payload capacity for something that heavy.

Good luck.
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Old 05-31-2020, 08:28 PM   #5
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Looks like that trailer comes in at 11000lbs gross weight and 8200lbs dry. You are maxing out the tow rating not counting the other more important variables/limitations of your vehicle.

You will never improve the official payload and weight stickers on your truck to be legal but you can improve your truck. The trouble is the numbers you are looking at are a stretch for many 3/4 ton trucks.

I don't see it being very economical for you.

Don't have all your truck info but unless you ordered it with HDPP you likely don't have it. There is a tow package which is anemic and a max tow package which is better but still cannot easily get you there. You could pull it but not for long before your leaf springs buckle, your axle bends, tires pop...maybe the frame too.

To upgrade the truck to pull that safely you would definitely need a new rear axle, several suspension compenents, tires, reciever and brakes to start. Its likely you will need a front axle, a new frame, and wheels as well. At that point you will be beyond the transmission and engine ratings because you added so much weight to the truck.

By the time you do that you are much better off trading to a 250 even a brand new diesel 350 would be cheaper than parts and labor for all that because that is what you would be building.

You will need a payload of 2100lbs minimum assuming trailer comes in at 1600lbs (f150 maxes out at 1500 at the reciever if not 1200) tongue and you only carry 400lbs in people and gear with that.
Because you lose payload with diesel plan on either a gasser F250 or a diesel F350 when looking for an update. Make sure you figure out what options are doing to the truck and how many people you plan to carry.

I know it sucks. I did the math and bough the F350. It's way overkill for my trailer now but sized for yours...
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Old 06-01-2020, 02:12 PM   #6
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Spent time this morning reviewing specs, and came up with additional info. Your info is interesting.
17,100 lbs. F150 GCWR
9500 loaded trailer (conservative max)
4930 F150 3.5 ecoboost 163 wheel base curb weight
2000 payload- 2 people, gear in bed of truck, truck cap
16,430 current GCWR. Yup, it is pushing the envelope of 17,100.


Quote:
Originally Posted by 67L48 View Post
You're thinking backward about this. You're asking about increasing load capacity (payload) and then thinking of *adding* things. Literally, everything you add will reduce payload. HD shocks, add-a-leaf, sway bar, air bags, and so on. Each one of those aftermarket items will reduce your load capacity. They may improve your towing experience, but they reduce available payload.

If you want to increase your payload, start ripping out factory stuff. Pull out the radio and all of your audio equipment. Dump any fog lights or other factory aux lighting. Consider removing your Air Conditioning equipment. Maybe tear out your heater core. If nobody is using rear seats, remove them. If you have a moonroof, tear that out and find a light plexiglass lid. And, so on.

The only way to increase payload capacity is to remove weight from your truck.

Towing capacity is a garbage marketing number, particularly for 1/2 tons. Forget you ever heard it.

I can't find the trailer in your signature. I don't see an 8335 FK in Rockwood's lineup or through a Google search. I can find an 8335BSS and an 8335SB, which are 36-37', 9,500 lb beasts. You'll want at least 2,000 lb payload capacity for something that heavy.

Good luck.
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Old 06-01-2020, 02:27 PM   #7
Tom Stauffer
 
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F150 towing GCWR 17,100

Hi
I added a better description of the trailer. Thanks. It is a Rockwood Signature Series 8335BSS with a dry weight of 8122 lbs. So I would give it about 9500 lbs loaded, being conservative worst case load. Also did some additional info gathering and came up with the F150 GCWR is 17,100 lbs.
9500 loaded trailer (conservative max)
4930 F150 3.5 ecoboost 163 wheel base curb weight
2000 payload- 2 people, gear in bed of truck, truck cap
16,430 current GCWR. Yup, it is pushing the envelope of 17,100. Gulp.

Airbags would not add towing capacity, but would possibly help. I do not notice any sag or sponginess while towing. Tires on the truck are not a 10 ply, which might help some, I suppose.

Quote:
Originally Posted by bikendan View Post
There is nothing that you can do, to change the factory sticker payload capacity.
You can do air bags but they don't increase payload, they just help with rear sag.
You can modify the suspension but legally, it doesn't change what the truck's rated for.
Which factory tow package does yours have?
You appear to have a 5th Wheel with a fictional pin weight of 1200lbs. Unless you have the Heavy Duty Payload package in your F150, you're over payload.
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Old 06-01-2020, 02:31 PM   #8
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Out of curiosity, what does your payload sticker say?

I see this is a bumper pull. Your tongue weight is likely pushing 1400#. Have you ever measured it?

You have a cap which probably weighs 200# all by itself. You are WAY overloaded.

BTW, base curb weight includes no options and is for a bare bones truck. That is why they have a payload sticker mounted inside the door jamb. That takes into account all options.
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Old 06-01-2020, 03:01 PM   #9
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Quote:
Originally Posted by babock View Post
Out of curiosity, what does your payload sticker say?

I see this is a bumper pull. Your tongue weight is likely pushing 1400#. Have you ever measured it?

You have a cap which probably weighs 200# all by itself. You are WAY overloaded.

BTW, base curb weight includes no options and is for a bare bones truck. That is why they have a payload sticker mounted inside the door jamb. That takes into account all options.
I'd be interested also and the OP hasn't said which factory tow package he has.
Never seen any payload sticker with an even amount, like 2000lbs.
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Old 06-01-2020, 03:28 PM   #10
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Red flags abound when people will post every number under the sun, other than the only one that matters: payload capacity.

Way too much fixation on dry weights and tow capacities.
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Old 06-01-2020, 03:31 PM   #11
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That is the Rockwood version of my Flagstaff. Assuming you have the max tow it may be manageable.

I had a Chevy 2500 and just switched to a 2017 F150 CC long bed. The dealer let me take it for a test drive with the trailer, only pull so far. It was a windy day and if not for the test drive I would have stopped or moved to side roads. Was the 2500 more stable yes, was the F150 ok when the wind was reasonable yes. The truck has airbags but I didn't have any air in them at the time. The prior owner said they really helped with stability.
For us towing is probably under 10% of the time and we didn't like the ride of the 2500 so we moved from 10% good and 90% bad to 90% good and 10% ok. I think it was a good trade off for us.
You need a good WDH with builtin sway control, I use Blue ox. Keep you speed reasonable. We are camping the next 2 weekends so I will get a better feel for it.
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Old 06-01-2020, 03:37 PM   #12
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That is the Rockwood version of my Flagstaff. Assuming you have the max tow it may be manageable. [...]
Max Tow doesn't do anything for payload capacity.
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Old 06-01-2020, 03:42 PM   #13
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I didn't say it did but I believe it updates trans and engine cooling.

Is the op and myself pushing the limits, absolutely but will be close if not within specs
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Old 06-01-2020, 06:07 PM   #14
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OP needs a truck and it’s not possible to make a truck from a grocery getter.
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Old 06-01-2020, 06:22 PM   #15
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OP needs a truck and it’s not possible to make a truck from a grocery getter.

So hard for so many to understand
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Old 06-01-2020, 06:29 PM   #16
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Tires on the truck are not a 10 ply, which might help some, I suppose.
If you are stuck on keeping this truck, then YES Load Range E tires WILL HELP! Are you running P-metric (passenger) tires or LT light truck tires now?
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Old 06-01-2020, 08:15 PM   #17
Tom Stauffer
 
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F150 towing GCWR 17,100

The payload is listed at 1990 for the 3.5 ecoboost 163 inch wheel base supercab with options. Tongue is 1057, but I am pushing the limits. Trailer is 8122 dry, so to be safe I will note it as 9500 with gear. GCWR is 17,100 and I am at 16,430.

Quote:
Originally Posted by babock View Post
Out of curiosity, what does your payload sticker say?

I see this is a bumper pull. Your tongue weight is likely pushing 1400#. Have you ever measured it?

You have a cap which probably weighs 200# all by itself. You are WAY overloaded.

BTW, base curb weight includes no options and is for a bare bones truck. That is why they have a payload sticker mounted inside the door jamb. That takes into account all options.
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Old 06-01-2020, 08:32 PM   #18
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F150 towing GCWR 17,100

The tires are LT.

Quote:
Originally Posted by rsdata View Post
If you are stuck on keeping this truck, then YES Load Range E tires WILL HELP! Are you running P-metric (passenger) tires or LT light truck tires now?
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Old 06-01-2020, 08:50 PM   #19
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Quote:
Originally Posted by tpstauffer View Post
The payload is listed at 1990 for the 3.5 ecoboost 163 inch wheel base supercab with options. Tongue is 1057, but I am pushing the limits. Trailer is 8122 dry, so to be safe I will note it as 9500 with gear. GCWR is 17,100 and I am at 16,430.
You haven't clearly stated what the driver's door yellow sticker says what its payload capacity was when it left the factory. Saying the word "listed" makes it sounds like you got that 1990 number from a book or website.
And you haven't stated which tow package it has.
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Old 06-01-2020, 09:04 PM   #20
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Post a picture of the payload sticker of your actual truck. Enough of this "listed" stuff.

So what does tongue 1057 mean? Surely not your tongue weight.
Quote:
Originally Posted by tpstauffer View Post
The payload is listed at 1990 for the 3.5 ecoboost 163 inch wheel base supercab with options. Tongue is 1057, but I am pushing the limits. Trailer is 8122 dry, so to be safe I will note it as 9500 with gear. GCWR is 17,100 and I am at 16,430.
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