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jaydub74's avatar
jaydub74
Explorer
Aug 18, 2014

Critique My Tow Numbers

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 lbs
Loaded Weight: 7600 lbs (1690 lbs cargo, water etc.)
Dry Hitch: 709 lbs

Distribution Hitch: Propride anti-sway


Truck Curb Weight 5800
Towing Capacity 11100
Max Payload. 1752
GCWR............... 16700
GAWR Front...... 3750
GAWR Rear........ 4050
GVWR ................7650
284 BHSL ................7600 (trailer weight wet)
Tongue Weight 760 (10% wet trailer weight)
People ................280
Truck Cap ................200
Dist. Hitch ........100
Other ................200 (other cargo in truck)
-----------------------------------------
Remaining GCWR 2520
Remaining GVWR 310
Remaining Payload 212

Tires: 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

16 Replies

  • Looks good to me as long as you don't fill the PU box with firewood
  • 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
  • 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).
  • 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.
  • 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.

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