New to trailer camping

[pasquale]

Hello everyone,

Purchased a Ford F150 last year and ordered a Rockwood 2608WS last week.
Now I am trying to figure out all the jarg

[pasquale]

Wow pressed the wrong button.
Figure out all the jargon GVWR GCWR Hitch wight.....

How do you figure it all out.

SuperCab 4x4
WheelBase 145"
Axle Ratio 3.73
Base curb weight 5,564 LB
GVWR 3493 Kg / 7700 LB
GCWR 7,757 KG / 17,100 LB
Maximum Load Trailer Weight Rating 5,126 KG / 11,300 LB
Maximum Payload Weight Rating 943 KG / 2080 LB
Front GAWR 1701 KG / 3750 LB
Rear WAWR 1837 KG / 4050 LB
Front Suspension Axle (rating @ Ground) 1,429 KG (3,150 LB) - 1,837 KG (4,050 LB)
Rear Suspension Axle (rating @ Ground) 1,588 KG (3,500 LB) - 2,177 KG (4,800 LB)

All from the Ford documentation, I enter what I have in an online calculated for what can I pull and it says I can not pull a 2608ws???

Help...
Pasquale

[pasquale]

by the way the online calculatore I used is the following.
http://changingears.com/rv-sec-calc-...eight-tt.shtml

[youroo]

Yes to get the real truth ask a salesman. Youroo!!

[Herk7769]

If you feel you are "unsafe" with that combination, you need to be talking to your dealer BEFORE you accept delivery. You may be able to switch to a lighter "more tow-able" camper before the contract is "finished" when you sign at delivery.

If they will not "re-look" the deal, walking away from your earnest money may be your only option. Not what you want to hear, I know. Salesmen are selling on commission and DO NOT have your interest at heart AT ALL.

The camper dude wants to sell you the biggest most expensive camper her can talk you into and the truck dealer wants to move that shiny "Cowboy Truck" with the bucket seats; 4x4; and over-sized mag wheels that has been sitting on his lot for 6 months. Neither care whether either can do what you need done (towing the thing safely).
Because, well to be frank, that is your job.

If you have already taken delivery, your options are severely limited.
My grandfather had a saying in Italian that "loosely" translates as "Act in haste; repent in leisure."

I will take a look at your numbers and try to figure out where you stand.

[Sgt. Schultz]

OP the calculator used limits the weight to straight bumper pull & does not allow for the WDH rating to be entered:
Maximum Trailer Weight This is the maximum trailer weight based on the most restrictive tow vehicle ratings provided (tongue weight rating at 15% of trailer weight).
Your posted truck specs are well within what can reasonably be expected to tow the 2608WS. To be ure take the truck loaded for camping to the scales to see what your real numbers are you should end with more than sufficient capacity in payload for the expected trailer hitch weight

[Herk7769]

OK,
For the Rockwood 2608WS:

Dry Weight5675lbs GVWR6698lbs Cargo Capacity985lbs Hitch Weight698lbs Axle Weight4977lbs Exterior Height10.00' Exterior Length29.58'


With a cargo capacity of only 985 pounds you are going to be running that puppy at max GW just about every camping trip. So we will use those numbers for tongue weight.

With a properly adjusted WD hitch, your tongue weight should fall in the 10 - 20% of full camper weight. We will use 15% as "optimum" but with careful loading that tongue weight can be moved a little back and forth.

"Curb" weight on the truck includes JUST a full tank of gas and a 150 pound driver. You will need to add for the WD hitch; your family; and any junk you want to carry in the truck. (Generator, gas cans, etc). All of the is PAYLOAD (of which you have 2080 pounds available). So, using that number we will say your you weigh 200 and you carry your wife, kids and dog for a "meat" load of 300 pounds. Your hitch weighs 50 pounds. and you have nothing else in the truck (yea I know, gonna be more).

So "out the door" camping your truck weighs 5564 + 330 + 50 = call it 5950 pounds.

Payload available = GVWR 7700 - OTD weight 5950 = 1750 pounds available payload (tongue weight).


6698 is the maximum it can weight so the maximum tongue weight worst case 20% is 1340 pounds. Loaded like this, you still are OK

At "Optimum" of 15% tongue weight is 1005 pounds. Still OK
At Minimum of 10% tongue weight is 670 pounds. Still OK

HOWEVER you need to watch the GCWR of the "combination" as well.

Since we are running the camper at max what is left for the truck to weight? Using your figures (17100 pounds) 17100 - 6698 = 10, 402

So the truck can weight 10,402 pounds WELL and safely over the trucks max of 7700 pounds.

So you can add about another 400 pounds of "stuff or people" to the truck and not exceed your safe towing range by my numbers.

So if I got the camper right, you are seriously " GOOD TO GO!"

Safe camping my friend!

[dretired]

If the rockwood that you have ordered is 5,800 lbs dry, And you do NOT over load the TT or Your F150 ..you should do fine...My truck has the Tow haul Mode..and worked great going up and down the hills from southern Ohio.Thru.. .Kentucky ..Tennesse..Georgia...and to St.Augustine beach And back.. for a 3 month stay this last winter. And i have the 3.55 limited slip

[Triguy]

I agree with Herk's calculations.

I'd say you are very close but ok with this setup using the changing gears calculator.

I used the same calculator with your numbers (missing the RGAWR) and it comes out with a maximum trailer weight of 6,769 when I used a 12% safety margin and a 13% tongue weight (15% TW is the maximum for a travel trailer and I find that 13% works well for us YMMV). See below.

Your trailer has a very low CCC so watch what you load.

What does the yellow sticker say? Weight distribution hitch, propane, batteries, a little water and cargo will quickly fill that up. Do not overload.

[Herk7769]

Originally Posted by Triguy

(15% TW is the maximum for a travel trailer and I find that 13% works well for us YMMV).

Need to start taking Ginko Biloba.
9%-15% is the range for Travel Trailers.
Trying to keep all these numbers in my head is causing leaks...

[Filthy Beast]

Herk, I tried Ginko but my wife took it away from me because my brain would not stop running at 100% all the time.

[Herk7769]

Originally Posted by Filthy Beast

Herk, I tried Ginko but my wife took it away from me because my brain would not stop running at 100% all the time.

you all are too kind.

[pasquale]

Wow Great Feedback...
First things first, what is YMMV and CCC?

Did I already say how great you guys are.....

Let me go back and punch my number back in, when I did it, it told me maximum trailer weight of around 5800 lb.. maybe I did something wrong.

Thank you all for the help,

Pasquale

[pasquale]

OK Redid the calculations but got differnet number.

the distributed weight hitch I have is max 800 LB and I used 758 (698 lb Dry Hitch Weight + 40 2x20 lb propane tanks + 20 lb two batteries) forTrailer tongue weight.

so I get Trailer GVW exceeds Maximum Trailer Weight. The provided trailer GVW (or GTW) exceeds the calculated maximum trailer weight. You should either lighten the trailer or provide additional information for a more accurate calculation. 6,154 lb

If I change my maximum tongue weight from 800 lb to 1000 lb like Triguy.
I then get 7,692 lb with 13% and 6,769 lb with 12%.

does that mean I need to replace my Hitch? or am I looking at the wrong thing.

Thanks,
Pasquale

[pasquale]

Also Got a recomendation from the TT dealer to install the following on the Truck to help with the maximum tongue weight, they also stated that using these I did not need a Weight distributing hitch.

SuperSprings Self-Adjusting Suspension Stabilizers

I am feeling much more comfortable with our purchase..

[Sgt. Schultz]

CCC= Cargo Carrying Capacity
YMMV = Your Millage May Vary
.
Sounds like the dealer is trying to take your hard earned money for what could almost be considered a dangerous product - It places all of the weight on the rear axle potentially reducing steering control.
.
The following is from: "Weight Distributing Hitch's will improve your trailer sway, weight distribution, and lower stress for trailer safety, Equalizer weight distributing hitch."
To explain what a WD hitch does, think of it as a bridge between the towing vehicle and your trailer. This bridge comes complete with an adjustable under truss called spring bar/arm or trunnion bars which join the trailer "V" tongue of the trailer to the hitch head and receiver hitch that arches the bridge upward to spread out the weight.. The head with the trailer ball attached to the trailer coupler/hitch, bolts to the shank which is "L" shaped with adjustment holes for proper hitch height. The shank slides in to your receiver hitch which is bolted to the towing vehicle's frame or sub-frame. This union allows you to distribute the trailer weight evenly to all axles of the truck/SUV and trailer. Thus the name "weight distributing" hitch.
.
On your receiver hitch or hitch receiver, you will usually see the tag with classifications for maximum tongue weight and maximum trailer weight. The lower weight is for WC which is "Weight Carrying" hitch or drawbar/stinger. In this situation all the tongue weight is on the WC hitch, draw bar. The other classification on the tag found on your towing vehicle's receiver hitch is the higher weight carrying capacity for WD which is the "Weight Distributing" hitch that spreads out the tongue weight of the trailer.

[pasquale]

Thanks Sreddy,

"A common correction for leveling a trailer, is a weight distributing hitch. Which is good for leveling a rig and transferring weight to all the axles. But taking weight off the rear axle of your truck can cause traction problems when you need traction to get your truck back in line during an evasive maneuver. SuperSprings with a good WDH with built in sway control is the best combination for towing, especially with a 1/2 truck or SUV"

I also found the above quote on the site. so maybe the best option would be to do both.

[Sgt. Schultz]

Hello pasquale, in my opinion, the super springs would help someone with an older truck or running closer to capacity than what you are. You have a very capable vehicle for the trailer you selected.
The dealer telling you to substitute them for the WDH is (again in my opinion) is irresponsible. I think if you take your set up to the scales loaded and ready to camp you will find that the weights are well balanced (remember to adjust the hitch setup after the trailer is loaded) giving you both good handling and traction.



sr

[pasquale]

Hello Sreddy,

I here you, I agree I think I will start by upgrading my WDT first from Max 800 to max1200 and see how that works. I can always have the supersprings installed if needed...

Thank you for the honesty,

Pasquale

[Triguy]

Originally Posted by pasquale

Wow Great Feedback...
First things first, what is YMMV and CCC?

Did I already say how great you guys are.....
Pasquale

I think everyone here is happy to help.

Sorry about the computer jargon. I get lazy

Originally Posted by pasquale

OK Redid the calculations but got differnet number.

the distributed weight hitch I have is max 800 LB and I used 758 (698 lb Dry Hitch Weight + 40 2x20 lb propane tanks + 20 lb two batteries) forTrailer tongue weight.

so I get Trailer GVW exceeds Maximum Trailer Weight. The provided trailer GVW (or GTW) exceeds the calculated maximum trailer weight. You should either lighten the trailer or provide additional information for a more accurate calculation. 6,154 lb

If I change my maximum tongue weight from 800 lb to 1000 lb like Triguy.
I then get 7,692 lb with 13% and 6,769 lb with 12%.

does that mean I need to replace my Hitch? or am I looking at the wrong thing.

The Husky hitch you have today looks to be too light for your trailer. I recommend the Equal-i-zer or the Reese Dual Cam with 1,000lb bars. These two have sway control integrated into the hitch. Nice!

Or possibly you can upgrade to 1,000lb bars on your Husky but you only have one friction bar so you should add another if you stay with the current hitch.

I think the trailer tongue weight of 758lbs you calculated will be too low. Its not so much a function of taking the dry TW plus batteries and propane.

I recommend that you calculate 13% of the trailer's GVWR because that will be close to your loaded weight. In your case, 13% of 6,698lbs = 870lbs.

Why 13%? Because it works for me . You can go higher or lower and trying to load differently for different tongue weights and finding what works best for your setup is recommended.

As sreedy said, look on your hitch receiver for the maximum tongue weight when using a WDH. The 1,000lbs I assumed was just that ... an assumption.

Your actual max tongue weight for your 2011 Ford F150 should be 1,130lbs (I looked it up - see attachment below).

Originally Posted by pasquale

Also Got a recomendation from the TT dealer to install the following on the Truck to help with the maximum tongue weight, they also stated that using these I did not need a Weight distributing hitch.

SuperSprings Self-Adjusting Suspension Stabilizers

Again, as sreddy said, that dealer is wrong about the part that a WDH is not needed with these springs. Run away from him.

Even helper springs like these will require a WDH. I personally do not like the idea of adding them. I believe that a properly matched TV and trailer with the right WDH is all that you need.

I wouldn't add those springs until first trying out your rig. You have a very capable truck with the stock setup.

Good luck with this and let us know what you decide and how it goes.