Tow Weight of a F-150

A 2014 157" WB, 3.55 rear end (non Max or HD) generally will have a payload between 1500-1700lbs depending on package and options. A Platinum will be less. The FW in question starts out with a dry pin weight over 1300lbs with an 18% ratio (17.225%).

Not enough payload.

I wish the OP would come back and confirm these #'s. LeftHander, are you still out there?

Lets see now all we know about the OP's truck is its a F150 3.5 EB engine with a 3.55 axle ratio 157" wb.
All that tells us is the engine sure won't have any problems anywhere pulling Fords tow rating.
What we don't know is the OP trucks GVWR/RAWR package which will tell how much weight the truck is capable of carrying.

A 8000 lb dry 5th wheel may weigh 9k-9.5k after loading which can equate to a 1800-2000 lb pin weight. The trailers GVWR and dry weights will tell the tale.

SkiSmuggs wrote:
"However, we have discovered one truck brand that may tow fifth wheel trailers up to 11,712 pounds and not exceed the ratings. That truck is the 2015 Ford F150 with the 3.5L V6 EcoBoost. The configuration that meets this requirement follows: 3.73 gear ratio, 4X2, 163.7" wheel base, SuperCab. With two passengers, the loaded vehicle weight is 5,388 pounds. The GCWR = 17,100 and the GVWR = 7,850.

Yea, but try getting that truck! I ordered one with exactly those specifications (except a 4x4) on August 15, 2014, the first day 2015 pricing was released. The first estimated delivery date was mid-January 2015, the second was mid-February 2015, and the third was late March to early April 2015. Last Friday, February 27, I got a call from the dealer that the new build date would be July, with delivery in early August 2015--one year after I placed my order!

Anyone see a problem here? I convinced even the General Manager of the Ford dealership that the reason for the delay is that Ford can't meet the max tow and HD payload numbers published on their Website. That's because, for the first time this year, they finally agreed to use the voluntary SAE J-2807 tow standard that Dodge has been using for several years. I think they are refusing to build those vehicles because, since they are selling far more aluminum F-150s than they expected, they don't really miss a few orders for HD payload-max tow trucks and the really pissed-off "buyers" who tried to order them.

Sooooo, short story long, I canceled my order on Monday, got my deposit back yesterday morning, and bought a 2015 RAM 2500 diesel yesterday afternoon. Which is what I should have done 6.5 months ago!

kaydeejay wrote:

SkiSmuggs wrote:
..............I looked at the tire specs and it was well under their load rating. 65,000 miles later, I have no regrets and have had zero problems. Had the HD Payload package been available, I would not have exceeded any numbers.
While I tend to agree that most 1/2 ton trucks are not suited for FW towing, the right 1/2 ton, PROPERLY CONFIGURED, is well suited for light fifth wheels. .............

Hmmm, most GAWRs ARE the tire limits. Do you have higher than OEM rated tires on the truck?

My sticker rates my rear axle at 6100lbs. I have 18" OEM tires rated at 3640lbs each.

Rjdreyer wrote:
Easy answer is no. 1/2 ton will not make it with a fifth wheel across WV and the CO rockies

That's funny. The Ford ecoboost has gobs more power than the old Ford 460 and 2V V10 that are in thousands of class A and C motorhomes towing toads. I guess those too can't go across WV and CO.:h

SkiSmuggs wrote:
..............I looked at the tire specs and it was well under their load rating. 65,000 miles later, I have no regrets and have had zero problems. Had the HD Payload package been available, I would not have exceeded any numbers.
While I tend to agree that most 1/2 ton trucks are not suited for FW towing, the right 1/2 ton, PROPERLY CONFIGURED, is well suited for light fifth wheels. .............

Hmmm, most GAWRs ARE the tire limits. Do you have higher than OEM rated tires on the truck?

SkiSmuggs, you are going to need a heavier pin, to set that new 350 down, so it will tow level. One thing just leads to another, so you have a good reason, for the next new toy.

Looks like a nice FW in your sig.

Jerry

kaydeejay wrote:

SkiSmuggs wrote:
..............I ran the safety check list from the web site and the only number I execeed was the GAWR by 510 lbs. I did what Ford did and added overload springs and HD shocks. Doesn't change the sticker numbers at all, but made perfect sense to me.

"Exceeded GAWR by 510 lbs". Unless you upgraded the tires you overloaded them too, and, apart from not being a very good idea, is also ticketable offense!

I looked at the tire specs and it was well under their load rating. 65,000 miles later, I have no regrets and have had zero problems. Had the HD Payload package been available, I would not have exceeded any numbers.
While I tend to agree that most 1/2 ton trucks are not suited for FW towing, the right 1/2 ton, PROPERLY CONFIGURED, is well suited for light fifth wheels.
I have an F350 on order simply because my next fiver will be heavier.

I went down the same path with my F150 HD. Just too close on weights. http://www.rv.net/forum/index.cfm/fuseaction/thread/tid/27577199.cfm

Bamaman1 wrote:
I agree with above. Most 1/2 ton pickup trucks have springs comparable to those on a Crown Victoria. The maximum tow suspensions are available, but expensive. Most are special ordered.

A 1/2 ton truck will tow a heavier travel trailer than a fifth wheel trailer due to their having 10-12% of the trailer weight on the bumper vs. 20-23% of the trailer weight in the middle of the pickup box.

The only 1/2 ton truck that approaches the weight carrying capability of a 3/4 ton truck is the 2015 (aluminum) Ford F150 with the maximum tow package. They're substantially beefier than any of the competitive 1/2 ton trucks.

Again. IF you were to check. you would fine many diesel 2500s with less payload than many 1500s. Why? Diesels are heavy. they take up a lot of payload. Blanket statements are rarely true.