2001 Ford F-150 safe towing capacity

Welcome to the forum!

2X what Marty said

Additional commentes embedded in the quote of your post below in red

ctbrew1 wrote:
Hello foks first time post, I would appreciate any help I can get.

I have a 2001 Ford f-150, 5.4L Supercab,4X4, 3.55 LS axle. GVWR is 6500 lbs, Front GAWR 3600 lbs Rear 3550 lbs, factory hitch.

This is the 'small' half ton, as half tons span this range of GVWRs
+6K GVWR (small end), +7K GVWR (mid or regular half ton) and +8K GVWR
(or fake half tons)

I am looking to buy either a smaller travel trailer or pop-up in the near future, and am having trouble deciding what type of camper I should get based on how much I can tow. After reading several horror-story posts on buying too much trailer for the truck, I was looking for a realistic number for the maximum weight of a trailer my truck can comfortably handle.

This is all about the OEM's specifications (ratings/limits) and staying
below them. As it's all about the worst day out there when Mr Murphy
crosses your path. Either you have the right sized stuff and properly
setup...or not. No time to go back to the store for proper stuff or
re-setup. Either it's there or not

Mainly to manhandle the whole setup during that worst day out there

I do not have a lot of experience towing and I admit I am a bit of a nervous nelly with towing so I would like to be on the conservative side. I am guessing that around 3500 lbs dry weight is the most I should be considering....? I am leaning toward the larger (12" - 14") pop-ups right now.

'Dry' and 'Curb' weights are derived from their respective base models,
AKA stripper models. Some think that since not offered for sale these
models, nonsence...but that is the only way then can do it and stay
competitive in the 'King of the Hill' marketing contest...and...
the general buying public drives this because they mainly do NOT
understand how the ratings system works...see below diagram

Rarely do I give the "no you can not", or "sure you can", but provide
the metrics on HOW2 figure it out yourself. Best to go out and actually
weigh your TV empty and fully loaded. That is the only way to know
where you are in reference to 'your' TV's specifications/ratings/limits


The only one responsible for the setup is the driver. Not the one who
bought and setup it up...if someone else is driving. The driver gets
any tickets/etc. Also, decide which advice you will take, as there is
no skin in the game on a freebie forum like this one. You can have
a hundred copies of the 'sure you can' and they will have no liability
nor warranty for you.

Again, as Marty says, you can be over the limits just by loading
in your family/pets/ice chest/wood/toolbox/etc BEFORE hooking up
All TV's can have this problem, but the lower GVWR's a higher percentage
because they have lower ratings.





Tow numbers


This is a good thread on the 'base' or 'curb' weight of a TV means
Listed base weight?

BenK wrote:
Your 'base' vehicle weight will be the 'curb', without any options nor
cargo. Pounds/Kg factored by wheelbase

6087 / 2761 (135-in.)
6406 / 2906 (155-in.)


This is the MTWR (Max Two Weight Rating)
Pounds/Kg factored by wheelbase/engine
Note that this is derived from a 'curb', but yours weighs more than that
So the MTWR is pound for pound less that it is over the curb weight

9700 / 4400(135-in. w/ 6.0L)
10000 / 4536 (135-in. w/ 6.6L)
9300 / 4218 (155-in. w/ 6.6L)
9700 / 4400 (155-in. w/ 6.6L)

Here is the link to your van's GM specification page

2013 CHEVROLET EXPRESS PASSENGER VAN SPECIFICATIONS



This image might help you see how the various weights and ratings
interact with each other

howmuchcanitow howmuchshoulditow