I took my 13 F150 Max tow and HD payload package (8,200#) for it's first long trip with my trailer. I found the handling in windy conditions to be less than I had hoped. There was very minimal push from passing semi's and no fishtail whatsoever.Trailer sits slightly low at front and 1000# Equalizer bars are parallel with the trailer frame. Front rise/drop is at 50% per Ford recommendation.Weights fully loaded and ready to go are as follows:TruckFront axle - 3325Rear axle - 3075Total 6400CombinedFront axle - 3125Rear axle - 4215Trailer 6960Total 14300Any thoughts?

Did you follow the Ford spec and set up your weight distribution to restore half the rise in the front fender over the wheels? Was your electronic sway control on or off?Also with Max tow you have real truck tires (D range?). Did you air them up (in back) or down (in front) for the different weight on them when towing?Jim

HiTech wrote:Did you follow the Ford spec and set up your weight distribution to restore half the rise in the front fender over the wheels? Was your electronic sway control on or off?Also with Max tow you have real truck tires (D range?). Did you air them up (in back) or down (in front) for the different weight on them when towing?JimAdjusted rise to Ford spec as stated aboveSway onHD payload uses LT Range E tires75# rear, 65# front

What do they charge at the CAT scales?

Something I found with the electronic sway control is you feel the back end move around a little to oppose the trailer motion. It feels a little strange in high winds but works really well.Jim

RetSgt7114 wrote:What do they charge at the CAT scales?$10 for first weigh, $2 for additional weighs.

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18 Replies

joshuajim
Explorer II
May 19, 2013
GMT830 wrote:
So you had more weight in the truck when you ran across with the trailer compared to when you ran the truck solo?

That means the tongue weight is LESS. If you are at 10% or less that could cause handling issues.

SWMBO......gonna need a little help with that one

No, same "calculated" weight for both weighings. I used the wrong spreadsheet column when I came up with my weights.

Note that weights were with WDH activated.
jferre9570
Explorer
May 19, 2013
SWMBO=She Who Must Be Obeyed
GMT830
Explorer
May 19, 2013
So you had more weight in the truck when you ran across with the trailer compared to when you ran the truck solo?

That means the tongue weight is LESS. If you are at 10% or less that could cause handling issues.

SWMBO......gonna need a little help with that one
joshuajim
Explorer II
May 19, 2013
Yeah, I thought I made a mistake once but I was wrong! ;) ;)

I was looking at the spreadsheet I created from the CAT numbers and I looked at the wrong column. I added a column which added weight for the SWMBO, dog and some miscellaneous items in the truck which were not with me when I weighed. ...and then crossed columns.

Thanks for your help.
GMT830
Explorer
May 19, 2013
joshuajim wrote:
GMT830 wrote:
Tongue weight is about 12%, right on.

How did you arrive at the 12% figure? I came up with 1140/8100=14%

Truck with trailer attached is 7,340. Minus base weight of 6400=940# tongue weight. 940 tongue + 6900 on the trailer axles = 7840 trailer weight. 940 tongue over 7840 trailer = 12% tongue.

Unless I made a mistake somewhere. It happened one other time.

Where did you get the 1140 and 8100?
joshuajim
Explorer II
May 19, 2013
GMT830 wrote:
Tongue weight is about 12%, right on.

How did you arrive at the 12% figure? I came up with 1140/8100=14%
joshuajim
Explorer II
May 19, 2013
GMT830 wrote:
Tongue weight is about 12%, right on.

I would take some air out of the TV tires. Probably 40 psi in the fronts, 50 psi in the rears. Consult an inflation table, you will be very surprised......

Handling and ride will improve

Due to the TPMS, the minimum I can run is 50 front 55 rear or I get the warning constantly. I'm told that this cannot be changed by the dealer due to federal law.
GMT830
Explorer
May 19, 2013
GMT830 wrote:
Tongue weight is about 12%, right on.

I would take some air out of the TV tires. Probably 40 psi in the fronts, 50 psi in the rears. Consult an inflation table, you will be very surprised......

Handling and ride will improve

Most people think I'm a lunatic for the tire pressures I run/recommend

http://www.firestonetrucktires.com/pdf/Firestone_Load_Table.pdf

Last couple of pages is LT tires.
GMT830
Explorer
May 19, 2013
Tongue weight is about 12%, right on.

I would take some air out of the TV tires. Probably 40 psi in the fronts, 50 psi in the rears. Consult an inflation table, you will be very surprised......

Handling and ride will improve
Learjet
Explorer
May 19, 2013
couldn't hurt to tighten the bars up one notch and see how it handles.

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