2013 f150 Ecoboost is a Tracer 3150BHD to much??

Re-reading the entire thread, I do see you said you have neither maxtow or max payload. The scale information you posted is a huge help.

cman88 wrote:

Actual Weights
GVW-6480
F-3636
R-2844

Did you fill the tank? If not, figure an extra 8# per gallon.

Now you're starting to see the real problem. You've got only 720 pounds of payload left. Since a properly balanced TT should have around 12-15% of its weight on the tongue, you should be looking at trailers in the 4800-6000# range, and that's when fully loaded.

cman88 wrote:

Now I know the tracer is out of the question, but if I laoded all the stuff I put in the truck box and put it at the back of a trailer would I not gain extra payload??

Yes, but not pound-for-pound. Remember, 12-15% of everything in the trailer will end up on the tongue, so you'll save only 85% of the weight by moving it to the trailer.

cman88 wrote:

I estamate 125Lbs of the 6480 was gear. Also we have 2 autos so if we had to I could deduct 125lbs (gear) and 275lbs (wife,2kids) from gvw,payload and put in second auto. So with all that, what is the max trialer I can haul.

Your plan would remove 340# from the truck, leaving you with 1060# for tongue weight. 1060/12-15% = 7000-8800#. Big difference!

cman88 wrote:

Found another one that fits our needs It comes in at around 5900lbs dry with a 750lbs hitch weight.

Be very careful about weights listed in trailer brochures (or given to you by trailer salesmen). Loaded weight will be significantly higher. You've got to include the weight of all options, gear, water, propane, etc., and believe me it's very easy to underestimate this. For reference, my trailer is listed at 5800# dry, but at the scales it's 7400#. Also, I'd ignore the listed tongue weight altogether. For proper balance, 12-15% of the trailer's total loaded weight should be on the tongue. If it's less than that, it probably won't tow well (will tend to sway more), so you'll need to move cargo forward to get more weight on the tongue.

That said, it looks like this second trailer is within your truck's capabilities, if you move the weight out of the truck as you said.

-- Rob

I wrote:

For reference, my trailer is 5800 in the brochure, but 7400 at the scales. And that's about as high as I'd want to go with my truck (I have Maxtow but not HD payload).

mister_d wrote:

Rob, I think your truck and mine are about the same .. our TT runs around 8-8500 and runs fantastic including in the hills of TN. Didn't want to contradict you but just in case you were wondering how much it could handle.

No offense taken, and I appreciate the real-world use-case. I've actually yet to tow any distance with mine. I just got it in January and our first trip will be in a few weeks.

I have little doubt the truck will perform well. I ran all the numbers, did a lot of research, and I'm confident I'll see an improvement over my 2003 Ram Hemi, which also pulled just fine. But the fact remains that in a 1/2-ton, payload can get tight. I smoked the rear-end in my Ram twice, and although I wasn't over my axle ratings, I can't help but suspect it was a factor.

In my Ford (maxtow but no HD), the payload is 1850#. My trailer tongue weight is about 1000#, which leaves 850# for everything else: people, gear, hitch weight, and 35 gallons of fuel. Add it all up, and I'm right near the limit. I'm comfortable there, but there's not a lot of room before I wouldn't be.

-- Rob

bimbert84 wrote:
For reference, my trailer is 5800 in the brochure, but 7400 at the scales. And that's about as high as I'd want to go with my truck (I have Maxtow but not HD payload).

-- Rob

Rob, I think your truck and mine are about the same .. our TT runs around 8-8500 and runs fantastic including in the hills of TN. Didn't want to contradict you but just in case you were wondering how much it could handle.

cman88 wrote:

The sales guy says my truck will pull this without a problem as long as I use an equalizer hitch.

Imagine that.

cman88 wrote:

I want to believe him but he knows we like the trailer and could be saying this just to make a sale?

A trailer salesman trying to make a sale on a trailer? Hmmm. Seriously, the absolute last place to seek advice on towing capabilities is a trailer salesman. Many of them don't know what they're talking about, and the ones that do are lying.

I have the same truck, although you didn't say whether you have MaxTow or HD payload. Even if you have both (which is unlikely unless you specifically ordered it that way), you're really pushing your limits. If you don't have both, I suggest you look at smaller, lighter trailers. Payload is your real concern, so keep a close eye on that.

Also note that the brochure weight of a trailer is fiction compared to what it really weighs at the scales. For reference, my trailer is 5800 in the brochure, but 7400 at the scales. And that's about as high as I'd want to go with my truck (I have Maxtow but not HD payload).

-- Rob

His payload number is correct for his truck and is directly from the yellow sticker. The website number is the maximum for a stripped down truck.

OP - the second trailer looks like it will work for you fine. Also nice job with doing all of this research and choosing wisely.

cman88 wrote:
Ok scale update.

Went to a certifed cat scale with whole family and all gear (bikes, coolers, ect) and this is where we are.

2013 F-150 fx4 Ecoboost
GVWR-7200lbs
GCWR-15500lbs
RGAWR-4050lbs
Payload-1162lbs
Maximum loaded trailer weight rating-9600lbs
Maximum tongue weight rating-1050lbs

Actual Weights
GVW-6480
F-3636
R-2844


Now I know the tracer is out of the question, but if I laoded all the stuff I put in the truck box and put it at the back of a trailer would I not gain extra payload?? I estamate 125Lbs of the 6480 was gear.

Also we have 2 autos so if we had to I could deduct 125lbs (gear) and 275lbs (wife,2kids) from gvw,payload and put in second auto.

So with all that, what is the max trialer I can haul. Found another one that fits our needs It comes in at around 5900lbs dry with a 750lbs hitch weight.

Sorry for spelling errors,
Thanks.

I do not think your payload number is correct. I did not see that low of number for your truck on the Ford site.

http://www.ford.com/trucks/f150/specifications/payload/

Ok scale update.

Went to a certifed cat scale with whole family and all gear (bikes, coolers, ect) and this is where we are.

2013 F-150 fx4 Ecoboost
GVWR-7200lbs
GCWR-15500lbs
RGAWR-4050lbs
Payload-1162lbs
Maximum loaded trailer weight rating-9600lbs
Maximum tongue weight rating-1050lbs

Actual Weights
GVW-6480
F-3636
R-2844


Now I know the tracer is out of the question, but if I laoded all the stuff I put in the truck box and put it at the back of a trailer would I not gain extra payload?? I estamate 125Lbs of the 6480 was gear.

Also we have 2 autos so if we had to I could deduct 125lbs (gear) and 275lbs (wife,2kids) from gvw,payload and put in second auto.

So with all that, what is the max trialer I can haul. Found another one that fits our needs It comes in at around 5900lbs dry with a 750lbs hitch weight.

Sorry for spelling errors,
Thanks.

APT wrote:
Keep in mind that when using a WDH, only about 80% of TW goes onto the TV axles. So while loaded TW tends to go up by 150 pounds, that 150 pounds comes back off. Stick to TTS under 600 pounds dry TW, 5-6k dry. Get a good WDH with integrated sway control. Load as much in the TT and not in the truck bed. Happy camping!

Yep this is the plan.

Quick update. After reading Mike Up's reply I was in the corner with my tail between my legs for the last couple of days. Hard to believe that a Honda CRV has more payload the my truck:(

I have come to the fact that the Tracer is way to much trailer for my truck. Sad that I had to come here to get that answer. You would've thought that the highly praised local travel trailer dealer would try and sell me a trailer WAY to big for me to haul legally.

I have my truck full of fuel and most of the gear we would take camping. Me and the boy are gonna take the truck to the scales tomorrow. Ill keep you all updated.

Keep in mind that when using a WDH, only about 80% of TW goes onto the TV axles. So while loaded TW tends to go up by 150 pounds, that 150 pounds comes back off. Stick to TTS under 600 pounds dry TW, 5-6k dry. Get a good WDH with integrated sway control. Load as much in the TT and not in the truck bed. Happy camping!