My wife and I finally decided to take the plunge and buy an RV. We visited a local major RV dealership, and the first question asked was what am I using as a TV. We had just purchased a 2012 F150 FX4 a couple of months back as our first truck, so I gave them the information I had from the window sticker stating I had the tow package with a 3.73 gear. I was told that I could haul 11,300lbs so I was gtg for almost anything on the lot, so after some looking and many trips back we settled on a 2013 Springdale 303BHSSRWE for $17,900.I was talking to a friend at work regarding our new purchase and he stated that we might have bit off more then we could chew, and that we needed to check our trucks GVWR. Well after looking at the sticker on the inside of my door we found out that its only 7200# which led me to find out that our max trailer weight is 9700# not the 11,300 stated at the dealer.I don't know for sure if we messed up really bad, so I am looking here to find out. Here is the info I know:TV:2012 Ford FX4 Eco boost V6GVCW: 15,500Max trailer weight: 9,700GVWR: 7,200Front GAWR: 3,750Rear GAWR: 4,050I went to a weight station and got the current numbers for my truck with full tank and me in it.Front axle: 3,320Rear axle: 2,700GVW: 5,920TT:Weights done at dealership by my request.Hitch weight: 900Weight w/bottles and battery: 7,820Fastway WD hitch and swayWe pick up the trailer for the 1st time on Friday 12 December. Please someone smarter then me in this let me know if we just wasted money on a trailer I cant tow safely.

Can you tow it out of the dealership unloaded, yes. Once loaded, your tonguewweight alone will be around 1100 lbs. I'm afraid that is too much trailer for that truck. You likely also have P rated tires on the truck. They are not ideal for heavy towing (soft sidewalls) and can cause sway. I would see if the dealer will take the trailer back as they clearly misled you or get a properly equipped 3/4 ton truck.

15,500 - 13,740 = 1760. If your passengers, food, cloth and stuff in your truck and TT doesn't weigh more then that you are right on the edge.

Welcome the Forum...Ultimately this is your mistake which you have acknowledged and I commend you for owning the responsibility.But, your story is not all that unusual and your story drives me crazy. Dealers also have a responsibility even if it is a moral one to be more honest with their customers. This happens all the time in the RV sales industry..."Sure you can tow it, no problem."Because your story is repeated over and over, the industry and profession as a whole has a very low trust reputation.Sorry for your plight and good luck with it.

Have you signed the contract and everything? Do you have ANYTHING in writing from the dealership with what they said regarding what you could tow? Have you checked the BBB rating for the dealer? Get out of the deal, you are in dangerous territory. You may be able to pull it, but will you be able to pull it, handle it, and stop it safely?

I have had 4 fifth-wheels and 5 trucks. My first fiver, the truck was not heavy enough for the fifth-wheel, so lesson learned there.. fast. I agree with "therink"..... if trading the truck is not feasible at this time, see if the dealer will work with you on a lighter, maybe smaller trailer before you sign the final papers. Once that trailer is loaded, gross weight and tires will both figure into it. Good luck.

Think I messed up | Good Sam Community

LadyRVer
Explorer II
Dec 06, 2014
I have had 4 fifth-wheels and 5 trucks. My first fiver, the truck was not heavy enough for the fifth-wheel, so lesson learned there.. fast.
I agree with "therink"..... if trading the truck is not feasible at this time, see if the dealer will work with you on a lighter, maybe smaller trailer before you sign the final papers. Once that trailer is loaded, gross weight and tires will both figure into it. Good luck.
rjf7g
Explorer
Dec 06, 2014
Have you signed the contract and everything? Do you have ANYTHING in writing from the dealership with what they said regarding what you could tow? Have you checked the BBB rating for the dealer? Get out of the deal, you are in dangerous territory. You may be able to pull it, but will you be able to pull it, handle it, and stop it safely?
downtheroad
Explorer
Dec 06, 2014
Welcome the Forum...
Ultimately this is your mistake which you have acknowledged and I commend you for owning the responsibility.

But, your story is not all that unusual and your story drives me crazy.

Dealers also have a responsibility even if it is a moral one to be more honest with their customers. This happens all the time in the RV sales industry..."Sure you can tow it, no problem."

Because your story is repeated over and over, the industry and profession as a whole has a very low trust reputation.

Sorry for your plight and good luck with it.
K_Charles
Explorer
Dec 06, 2014
15,500 - 13,740 = 1760. If your passengers, food, cloth and stuff in your truck and TT doesn't weigh more then that you are right on the edge.
therink
Explorer
Dec 06, 2014
Can you tow it out of the dealership unloaded, yes. Once loaded, your tonguewweight alone will be around 1100 lbs. I'm afraid that is too much trailer for that truck.
You likely also have P rated tires on the truck. They are not ideal for heavy towing (soft sidewalls) and can cause sway.
I would see if the dealer will take the trailer back as they clearly misled you or get a properly equipped 3/4 ton truck.

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