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Paull6's avatar
Paull6
Explorer
Apr 19, 2017

Towing Advice

I just bought a Reflection BHTS says in specs the trailer is GVWR is 9995 lbs and hitch weight of 997 lbs. I also have a 2017 F150 Super Crew Cab V8 5.0l engine. Ford satates it has 11,000 lbs towing capacity. I just want some opinions based on knowledge/experience of using that truck to tow. Just bought both so unsure of what other options I have. Usually only take the trailer 45 kms away from home.
  • I suspect your truck will be overloaded, but OP has not furnished enough information to determine that.

    First learn what the terms mean.
    GVWR Gross Vehicle Weight Rating: The most the truck, fuel, passengers, cargo and trailer tongue can weigh.
    GAWR Gross Axle Weight Rating: The most weight that can be on one axle.
    GCWR Gross Combined Weight Rating: The most the loaded truck and camper can weigh
    Payload: The most that all the passengers and cargo in the truck can weigh. This is equal to the GVWR minus the weight of the truck with a full tank of fuel.
    Tow Rating or Max Trailer Weight: GCWR minus the weight of the truck.

    Find the weight sticker from the edge of the door in the truck.
    My truck weighed 7100 (GVWR) - 1607 (payload) = 5493 lbs.


    Find the weight sticker on the camper.
    In this case, the camper from the factory weighed 7765 (GVWR) - 2470 (payload) = 5025 (dry weight)
    This usually does not include batteries, propane or water.


    Find the weight sticker underneath the hitch receiver under the back of the truck.
    On my truck, the max tongue weight is 500 lbs. without a weight distribution hitch (WDH), and 1050 with one.


    When I loaded my toy hauler with water, propane, two batteries, one dirt bike, tools, spares, food, clothes, etc. it weighed 6640 lbs.

    With just one person, a tonneau cover, spray in liner and a few tools in the truck, it weighed 5860 lbs., including 367 lbs. of passengers, cargo and after market equipment. The tongue on the 6640 lb. trailer weighs 900 lbs.

    The WDH transferred 140 lbs. of that 900 to the trailer axles, leaving the truck weighing 6640 lbs. My truck has a "tow rating" of 9800 lbs. With a trailer weighing 6640 lbs., it has used up 71% of that 1607 lb. payload. It is just 460 lbs. under the GVWR limit. Two hefty passengers, or three skinny ones will load it to the limit.

    I know the aluminum trucks generally have a higher payload, but I fear your trailer will overload your truck. It's not so much what it can TOW, but what it can HAUL. Most trucks run out of GVWR before they run out of GCWR.

  • Let's see. Dry weight 8,498. Add 66 gallons of fresh water and water heater, 550. Now we are over 9,000 pounds without anything else like propane, camp chairs, mats, generator, food, levelers, hoses, electrical cords, pots and pans etc. or people that ride in the TV. Yup, looks like second poster pulls a completely dry and empty TT alone and weights in at 150 pounds.
  • I just want some opinions based on knowledge/experience of using that truck to tow. Just bought both so unsure of what other options I have. Usually only take the trailer 45 kms away from home.

    Looks like the first poster didn't read your trailer size which is a 9995 GVWR.

    Need more specs on what your F150 GVWR and its RAWR numbers are..... which is found on the cert sticker on the drivers side door post.

    It helps to know the trailers dry weight and its CCC numbers.
    Some trailers have a large CCC and a low dry weight. In that case we know you won't be towing at full GVWR or towing a dry weight trailer.
  • Your dry TT weight is 9,995 pounds? And your F150's max is 11,000? What is your TT's wet weight? We may not need to go further. I believe you've made a huge mistake...too much TT or too little TV.