Need advice on toy hauler swaying on freeway

09KZMXT266 wrote:

Stevepro172 wrote:
The F150 will do fine. I was in the same boat with the same 8.5x22 VRV with my Ram 1500 Hemi. Trailer tows fine with WD hitch. Currently with the trailer empty I'm at 800lbs of tongue weight. Once I add the toys and gear I will have to make sure to keep at least that much tongue weight. What you are going to have to watch for is running up against max payload in a 1/2 ton truck. Don't get fooled that the specs say that it will tow 11,000lbs because most likely the max payload is around 1500lbs. So take whatever you and your wife weight plus anything you put in the truck and the bed, plus the tongue weight and subtract that number from the max gross. this will be the limit...Period. In my Ram, I only have 1467lbs so with my trailer even thought its light I'm closer than I would like but my 2 kids are both under 4 years old so I'm good for now but once they start to put on weight, hello 3/4 ton!

Good luck with the F150 and VRV. I'm loving mine!

You know, now I get what you meant by having to upgrade when the kids get older. I was so caught up worrying about if the truck could tow the trailer, I totally discounted payload. Now, I'm a little worried. I'm really not sure what my max payload is. The online brochure shows 1520#'s My door jamb sticker says not to exceed 1200#'s. Basically my Wife and I, two dogs, and 800# tongue weight are over the 1200# at 1280#. I wonder if the door jamb shows 1200 because of the 20" Passenger tires? How can one increase payload capacity? LT tires? I wonder if the max payload capacity option is available post purchase? Anyway, now I'm a little worried. I guess when I throw the Harley in the back of the Hauler my tongue weight will decrease, so that helps. Man this stuff is exhausting.

There is no way to increase payload in a truck. All trucks come with max payload. the difference in payload is due to options. 2 wheel drive usually have more as well as only 2 door models. Once you go 4x4 with crew cab you lose a couple of hundred pounds of it. I think you will be much happier towing with the F150 even if you are bumping up to the max payload... BTW 1200 sounds low for even a well equipped F150. Ram 1500 usually have the least :)