Another can I tow this thread?

[OhioMark]

Originally Posted by Bowler304

Using your spreadsheet and all, it says I am 407 lbs over!

I can't speak for the calculations in the spreadsheet, someone I trust sent it to me when I was looking at trailers a few years ago and it seemed to make sense.

To Lloyd's comment, its not my intent to offer advice one way or another or "scare" anyone. The numbers are the numbers and gives you a good idea where your at.

Not understanding exactly what you mean by over..but unless you trucking alot of gear and/or passengers, I'd think you'd be pretty close to the TV limit or just a bit under. Remember the WDH takes weight off the hitch, but it is still in the calc on the axles.

[Bowler304]

I trust the spreadsheet to be accurate, just saying by the spreadsheet we are 407 lbs over weight after putting in all the numbers. So the wife and daughter will follow me in the explorer, since most parks allow 2 cars per site anyway, it is not an issues.


I think overall I am a bit under without the wife, daughter, and our gear. We put the gear in the wife's explorer and just her and my daughter. The silly thing is, I am still 2K lbs below what the truck will tow (9700 lbs).

So silly I am shopping new trucks just for a few hundred pounds. I originally ordered the Max Tow on the Ecoboost but with the big tow mirrors it wouldn't fit in my garage, so I found another one locally without the big mirrors, but didn't have max tow. I guess I learned my lesson, that truck could of taken the family our gear, and not had any issues.


Thanks for all the help guys!

[Lloyd]

Originally Posted by Bowler304

I trust the spreadsheet to be accurate, just saying by the spreadsheet we are 407 lbs over weight after putting in all the numbers. So the wife and daughter will follow me in the explorer, since most parks allow 2 cars per site anyway, it is not an issues.


I think overall I am a bit under without the wife, daughter, and our gear. We put the gear in the wife's explorer and just her and my daughter. The silly thing is, I am still 2K lbs below what the truck will tow (9700 lbs).

So silly I am shopping new trucks just for a few hundred pounds. I originally ordered the Max Tow on the Ecoboost but with the big tow mirrors it wouldn't fit in my garage, so I found another one locally without the big mirrors, but didn't have max tow. I guess I learned my lesson, that truck could of taken the family our gear, and not had any issues.


Thanks for all the help guys!

I wouldn't trust that the sheet is totally accurate for your setup. If I was you and had that much reservation about it, I would find a scale ASAP.
Then you will know!
As far as the big tow mirrors--they fold right in against the door.

[Bowler304]

No worries found a scale and will be getting accurate numbers ASAP.

Yea I know the mirrors folded, just didn't want to do it every night to pull the truck in the garage. Now my truck I have added those mirrors and they power fold.

Sent from my LG-H810 using Tapatalk

[mark5w]

Talked to the Ford rep recently. He stated that the ratings for the trucks are least 10% conservative on what the actual number could be. He said that's pretty true for most of the truck lines. So even though you're a little over, the truck should be able to handle it.

[r2millers]

What's the old saying..."if it isn't in writing, it didn't happen."
Ford reps can give you their opinion but if it was considered factual, they would put it in writing.
I think we all understand the "fudge" fact mfg's use for safety issues but I personally wouldn't go off of what a tech said.
I can't see the Judge, Jury, or even the Highway Patrol using a tech's opinion.
I still think the door sticker is the correct view.

[mark5w]

Didn't say it was legal or "in writing". Just saying everything has a "fudge factor" built in. And being over 450lbs won't break anything.

[r2millers]

Don't mean to get too sensitive about this issue but when you see the craziest loads on small tow vehicles and then to boot, driving 10 miles over the speed limit in the fast lane, I can just hear...

"But I read somewhere that it was okay!"

I feel better now.

[Lloyd]

Bob, I have to agree with that statement, but, ---it's getting to the point where so many think they need a diesel 1 ton dually to pull anything they hook on to.

[ewbldavis]

Agreed. Advances in design/technology have changed trucks alot in the last 10 years.

I had a 2001 Silverado. My 2015 GMC is very different in terms of power, design, and capabilities. The same 5.3L is rated for 60hp more, and the 6-speed tranny is awesome.

I will admit - we will be right there with our 8000# or so (loaded) trailer, but I am confident we will be within our means and safe. I too plan on hitting scales at some point.

Hey - if you are around 400# over - double check payload. I have always understood payload capacity to be given with the consideration of a driver and full tank of fuel (you and your gas should not deduct from payload - wife/kids does deduct).

[Darrell]

Not sure if I would want eat into any "spare capacity". Physics will inevitably win. It is not necessarily about getting and keeping the trailer moving - you also have to consider emergency maneuvers, including severe braking needs. If you go over the top - you are gambling with your safety - and that of everyone else on the road. Don't be "that guy"......

Originally Posted by mark5w

Talked to the Ford rep recently. He stated that the ratings for the trucks are least 10% conservative on what the actual number could be. He said that's pretty true for most of the truck lines. So even though you're a little over, the truck should be able to handle it.

[Bowler304]

Seems I have sparked a debate, certainly not my intentions. I need to hit the scales, we figured that the parks we have been too all have water so we are going to empty the fresh water tank (saving 320lbs), and move everything behind the axle to reduce tongue weight.

I have also order the roadmaster active suspension and it will be installed before our next trip. Was going to go the cheaper route with bags but read that people have added both if they did the bags first. I think a larger F250 will be in our future but in another year or so.

Thanks for all of the information! This has been a great site so far.

[Tim D]

Originally Posted by Darrell

Not sure if I would want eat into any "spare capacity". Physics will inevitably win. It is not necessarily about getting and keeping the trailer moving - you also have to consider emergency maneuvers, including severe braking needs. If you go over the top - you are gambling with your safety - and that of everyone else on the road. Don't be "that guy"......

X 10....

[Tim D]

Originally Posted by Bowler304

I have also order the roadmaster active suspension and it will be installed before our next trip. Was going to go the cheaper route with bags but read that people have added both if they did the bags first. I think a larger F250 will be in our future but in another year or so.

I am planning to put them on my F-250.

[Lloyd]

Originally Posted by Tim D

I am planning to put them on my F-250.

Why?

[Tim D]

It has a slight rake to the rear for one. Last trip out we had severe cross winds and thought it might help with sway? I also had a pallet of retaining wall block in the back the other day with a little more squat than I like.

[Coopers_dad]

Originally Posted by Darrell

you also have to consider emergency maneuvers, including severe braking needs. If you go over the top - you are gambling with your safety - and that of everyone else on the road. Don't be "that guy"......

If you have to make an emergency maneuver your probably toast under, over or even right near the "limit". The physics of the mass behind the truck trying to overtake it will always be there regardless of the TV. As for emergency braking same thing once the trailer brakes lock you've only got the truck, just like a semi truck and trailer.

I have a f350 pulling a 6500lb trailer. I have way more truck than I could ever need but a late emergency braking situation or emergency lane change will probably end no differently to when I pulled the trailer with my Avalanche even with the systems on the truck.

Everyone needs to consider a safe speed and a safe distance between the cars in front of the TV. Being a few hundred lbs over or under the "limit" of a TV won't change the outcome of any emergency.

Hate away.

[Coopers_dad]

Originally Posted by Tim D

It has a slight rake to the rear for one. Last trip out we had severe cross winds and thought it might help with sway? I also had a pallet of retaining wall block in the back the other day with a little more squat than I like.

My 350 does the same. It feels like the axle moves around under the truck in really windy situations pulling. I levelled my truck only to have it squat when I pull my gooseneck trailer.

[Lloyd]

Originally Posted by Coopers_dad

If you have to make an emergency maneuver your probably toast under, over or even right near the "limit". The physics of the mass behind the truck trying to overtake it will always be there regardless of the TV. As for emergency braking same thing once the trailer brakes lock you've only got the truck, just like a semi truck and trailer.

I have a f350 pulling a 6500lb trailer. I have way more truck than I could ever need but a late emergency braking situation or emergency lane change will probably end no differently to when I pulled the trailer with my Avalanche even with the systems on the truck.

Everyone needs to consider a safe speed and a safe distance between the cars in front of the TV. Being a few hundred lbs over or under the "limit" of a TV won't change the outcome of any emergency.

Hate away.

Good post.

Originally Posted by Tim D

It has a slight rake to the rear for one. Last trip out we had severe cross winds and thought it might help with sway? I also had a pallet of retaining wall block in the back the other day with a little more squat than I like.

I'm no expert on the subject, but from what little I remember when I was pulling a tt-----if you use weight distribution bars correctly (only half the people that use them seem to know how), you will drop both the front and rear of the truck an equal amount when towing the camper.

[Tim D]

Originally Posted by Lloyd

Good post.



I'm no expert on the subject, but from what little I remember when I was pulling a tt-----if you use weight distribution bars correctly (only half the people that use them seem to know how), you will drop both the front and rear of the truck an equal amount when towing the camper.

It will and it does...but does not cure all your towing woes. Not to mention that it is obvious from this thread that we all tend to want to overload our trucks from time to time, towing or not.