Towing with our truck- what too heavy
Should start by saying this is all new to us- so please be patient! We just got a 2008 Ford F150 mostly for the purpose of towing a trailer, on the door sticker the GVWR is 7200 lbs- seems pretty s...
Forum Discussion
With a tow vehicle the max tow capacity stated by the manufacturer for standard, weight distributing, and king-pin hitches are a maximum. For a trailer add 1000 lbs to the dry weight to have a ballpark loaded weight (confirm later at a CAT scale to be sure).
Gross Combined Weight or GCWR is equally important and that is the combined weight of the tow vehicle along with passengers and pets and gear and the weight of the trailer fully loaded. This number takes into consideration the engine, transmission, rear end gearing, frame, suspension, wheels, etc. for a maximum load overall.
The rear axle load is not going to be the limitation. The tires might be but they are easily changed if this is the case. Check the sidewalls and add the two tires to know the maximum rear axle load with the vehicle, passengers, gear, and tongue weight of the trailer.
With a max tow rating of 7200 lbs. I would be looking for a trailer with a dry weight of 5000-5500 lbs., leaving capacity for fluids in the holding tanks, batteries, food, gear, etc. in the trailer.
It depends in part on where you tow, central USA or the Rockies, and the amount of time spent towing. Where someone tows 1500 miles or less during the course of the year it is going to be less "severe" use of the truck than towing 15,000 miles each year. This also affects recommended lubricant and other servicing intervals, often dramatically.
Gross Combined Weight or GCWR is equally important and that is the combined weight of the tow vehicle along with passengers and pets and gear and the weight of the trailer fully loaded. This number takes into consideration the engine, transmission, rear end gearing, frame, suspension, wheels, etc. for a maximum load overall.
The rear axle load is not going to be the limitation. The tires might be but they are easily changed if this is the case. Check the sidewalls and add the two tires to know the maximum rear axle load with the vehicle, passengers, gear, and tongue weight of the trailer.
With a max tow rating of 7200 lbs. I would be looking for a trailer with a dry weight of 5000-5500 lbs., leaving capacity for fluids in the holding tanks, batteries, food, gear, etc. in the trailer.
It depends in part on where you tow, central USA or the Rockies, and the amount of time spent towing. Where someone tows 1500 miles or less during the course of the year it is going to be less "severe" use of the truck than towing 15,000 miles each year. This also affects recommended lubricant and other servicing intervals, often dramatically.
