I'm looking for some feedback on the TV and TT combo I'm putting together. I've gone over the numbers a few times and I'm close but safe I think. Please review and give me your thoughts. TV:2011 Ford F150 with 145" wheelbase, Super Crew, 4x4, Eco Boost, with Max Tow Package:TT:Kodiak 284BHSL Unloaded Weight: 5910 lbsLoaded Weight: 7600 lbs (1690 lbs cargo, water etc.)Dry Hitch: 709 lbsDistribution Hitch: Propride anti-sway Truck Curb Weight 5800Towing Capacity 11100Max Payload. 1752GCWR............... 16700GAWR Front...... 3750GAWR Rear........ 4050GVWR ................7650284 BHSL ................7600 (trailer weight wet)Tongue Weight 760 (10% wet trailer weight)People ................280Truck Cap ................200Dist. Hitch ........100Other ................200 (other cargo in truck)-----------------------------------------Remaining GCWR 2520Remaining GVWR 310Remaining Payload 212Tires: P275/65R18 114T (Weight rated at 2601 lbs per tire)I'm using 10% as the estimated tongue weight as I understand the weight distribution hitches distribute the weight off the back end to the trailer and truck axles. I also highly doubt we'll load 1600 lbs of stuff into the trailer, it will probably be closer to 1000 lbs. We also don't plan to drive with loaded fresh, grey or black water.Thanks for your feedback.Josh

Looks good to me. Only wildcard I see is the tongue weight. 10% tongue weight is going to be less stable (more prone to sway) than 15% tongue weight. 15% TW will put you much closer to the limit.

I'm comfortable with it if you are.

These are all "theoretical" numbers then? No actual scale numbers?If so then you can be way-way off. Your truck will weigh more than 5800lbs. The trailer will weigh more than 7600lbs.One thing you do NOT do is assume the tongue weight is going to be something, "because the weight distribution puts some of the tongue weight back on the trailer."Tongue weight is tongue weight and if you're going to assume, assume at least 13% if not 15%. The reason is you can't know how much tongue weight is being "put back on the trailer," and even if you do measure on a scale, you're fighting a moving target all the time. When tongue weights are discussed, it is the ACTUAL tongue weight.

Your setup seems beyond reasonable to me, but it's all on your comfort level. I tow more trailer with a similarly equipped truck (plus upgrades).

Josh, lets start with the estimated loaded trailer weight.You have listed an Unloaded Weight of 5910#. I believe that value is from a brochure or website and might not reflect the actual UVW of a typically equipped 284BHSL.This Holman Motors, Inc. web page shows the actual weight stickers for a 2014 284BHSL on their lot. Image 26/28 shows a UVW of 5958 and image 28/28 shows a maximum allowable cargo of 1642#. The list of Upgraded Options includes just about every available option.I think it is very reasonable to assume a UVW of 6000# to use as a basis for estimating the loaded GVW of any 284BHSL you might find. Then, it's up to you to decide how much of the 1600# CCC you might use.First, let's work through the numbers using a TT loaded weight of 7000# (1000# of cargo). Since you plan to use a ProPride hitch, you should add approximately half its weight to the weigh of the TT.Then a realistic tongue weight would be 13% of 7100# = about 900#. The PP hitch would allow you to get by with even a lower TW%, but I recommend you use 13% for estimating purposes.Since the PP is a weight distributing hitch, you can assume that a load equal to approximately 20% of tongue weight will be transferred to the TT's axles -- leaving a load of about 80% of 900 = 720# to be carried by the TT. The other half of the PP's weight will be carried directly by the TV giving a total of 720+100 = about 820# to be carried by the TV.Adding your estimated 680# for people, truck cap, and "other" gives a total of 820+680 = about 1500# total TV cargo versus your max payload number of 1752# -- a margin of about 252#.For comparison, if you were to load the TT to its 7600# GVWR, the above process would give a tongue weight of about 0.13*7600 = about 1000#.The load induced on the TV by the TT plus hitch would be about 0.8*1000 + 100 = about 900#. Adding 680# for people, truck cap, and "other" gives a total TV cargo of 1780# versus your max payload number of 1752#.Again, only you can know how much of the TT's 1600# CCC might be used.BTW, the assumption of 20% load transfer to the TT's axles assumes the WDH is adjusted to achieve 100% Front Axle Load Restoration versus the 50% FALR specified by Ford.If you were to opt for 50% FALR, the load transferred to the TT's axles would be equal to about 10% of TW.Ron

Critique My Tow Numbers | Good Sam Community

16 Replies

tcp
Explorer
Aug 22, 2014
you can also add the heavy payload package to the f150...beyond the max tow package. this will give you heavier rear springs, seven bolt axles and E rated tires from the factory. all our work f150s are equipped this way(2013s and 2014s). With the heavy payload package my 2013 xlt supercrew longbox has a 2213lb cargo capacity. useful when towing.
intheburbs
Explorer
Aug 19, 2014
badercubed wrote:
intheburbs wrote:
Airbags will level you out and improve your ride. That's it. Nothing more.

They don't change how much weight your TV axles can handle.

I tend to follow what the door stickers say. Seeing as how those numbers are put there by the guys who designed and built the truck, I'm guessing they might know what they're talking about.
Of course they don't. It would be asinine to think they could magically make a different component stronger. But, as everyone can probably agree, the amount the rear axle can handle is probably the strongest component in the truck and really is not a limiting factor when determining increased "real world" capacities on the truck with aftermarket parts.

Well, that's exactly what your (edited) "real world" comment sounded like.

Except, of course, if you drive a GM half ton with the 10-bolt semifloater rear axle.

Without a doubt, unequivocally, the rear end is the WEAKEST part of the powertrain on my half-ton '01 Burb. That truck is on rear end number 4, has 190k miles with the original engine and transmission, and is the main reason I now use a 3/4-ton as my TV.
badercubed
Explorer
Aug 19, 2014
intheburbs wrote:
Airbags will level you out and improve your ride. That's it. Nothing more.

They don't change how much weight your TV axles can handle.

I tend to follow what the door stickers say. Seeing as how those numbers are put there by the guys who designed and built the truck, I'm guessing they might know what they're talking about.
Of course they don't. It would be asinine to think they could magically make a different component stronger. But, as everyone can probably agree, the amount the rear axle can handle is probably the strongest component in the truck and really is not a limiting factor when determining increased "real world" capacities on the truck with aftermarket parts.
jaydub74
Explorer
Aug 19, 2014
Thanks guys, I guess I'll pass on the airbags.
intheburbs
Explorer
Aug 19, 2014
Airbags will level you out and improve your ride. That's it. Nothing more.

They don't change how much weight your TV axles can handle.

I tend to follow what the door stickers say. Seeing as how those numbers are put there by the guys who designed and built the truck, I'm guessing they might know what they're talking about.
badercubed
Explorer
Aug 19, 2014
My understanding is that they do not increase "load carrying capacity" as stated on the door sticker. They do increase "real world load carrying capacity" however (which may merely be the perceived perception of leveling the ride out and handling better). Take door sticker out of it, you are only as strong as your weakest component.
Ron_Gratz
Explorer
Aug 19, 2014
"Atlee" is correct -- airbags do not increase load carrying capacity.

Some airbag users find they can use the airbags to "tune" the TV's suspension for a smoother ride.

Remember, if bag pressure is increased after the WDH is adjusted, the lifting of the rear end can cause the load transfer to the TV's front axle to be decreased.

Ron
Atlee
Explorer II
Aug 19, 2014
It's my understanding air bags do not increase payload. They just level out the pickup.

jaydub74 wrote:

Should I be looking to increase my payload by adding airbags to the rear suspension. I just would prefer to side on the edge of caution rather than land in some grey area.
badercubed
Explorer
Aug 19, 2014
I put Air Lift Air Bags and E Rated BFG tires on my 150 and it helps carry the load much more stable.
jaydub74
Explorer
Aug 18, 2014
Thanks for all the feedback and the great math lesson Ron. Much appreciated.

mkirsch:
Yes you're correct, these are all estimated numbers from manufactures. I don't yet own the F150 or TT. I'm simply doing the math before purchasing. I'd love to put everything on the scale before purchase but that simply isn't an option. This is the best I can do.

Should I be looking to increase my payload by adding airbags to the rear suspension. I just would prefer to side on the edge of caution rather than land in some grey area.

Should I also look to change out the tires to 10 ply E rated tires

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Critique My Tow Numbers

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