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Jcgorrie's avatar
Jcgorrie
Explorer
Aug 25, 2013

2013 Ford Ecoboost towing capacity

We have recently purchased this truck with the maximum tow package & are now looking for a travel trailer. One is the Jayco Eagle with a dry weight of 6305 GVWR of 8500. The 2nd trailer is a Dutchman Arerolight 225 RBSL withe a dry weight of 4862 & GVWR of 6600. We will be using on short trips but at times pulling through mountains of BC ie the Coquihailla. Any info would be appreciated

16 Replies

  • Golden_HVAC wrote:

    ...
    Because the truck total cargo rating is around 3,000 pounds, then you subtract the 900 pounds of hitch weight, you have about 2,200 left for passengers, cargo in the bed, andfirewood, and such, before reaching the GVWR of the truck.
    ...


    Not sure where you got the 3000#?

    Most F150's have a payload of 1500#, some more, some less.
    I think you can get close to 3000# with a Reg Cab 4x2 with HD Payload and MaxTow options but they are extremely rare.
  • The 8,500 pound GVWR trailer can have around 800 - 900 pounds of hitch weight. Because the truck total cargo rating is around 3,000 pounds, then you subtract the 900 pounds of hitch weight, you have about 2,200 left for passengers, cargo in the bed, andfirewood, and such, before reaching the GVWR of the truck.

    Your truck should not have a problem with towing any of the listed trailers, even a little more weight will be acceptable.

    Be sure that you are using high octane gas while towing. It will help the engine a lot. Also if you are using 87 or 88 octane now, check your mileage. Changing to 91 or 92 octane gas will save at least 5% in fuel, and typically is less expensive then running 87 octane. This is because each tankfull will go an additional 30 - 50 miles while using the higher octane fuel.

    Fred.
  • What people are talking about is that these trucks are limited not by their tow capacity but by their payload.

    Look for a yellow sticker on your truck's door jamb. It will list the payload (the "not to exceed" #).

    Subtract from that the weight of all people and gear you intend to carry in the truck and maybe 50# for your WDH.

    What remains is the maximum tongue weight that your trailer can have.

    For good towing, a trailer should have a minimum of 12% of it's total/gross weight on the tongue. To be most conservative, use the trailer's GVWR and take 12% of that. How does it compare with the max tongue weight your truck can handle?

    A less conservative approach is to take the trailer's dry weight and add the weight of what you intend to carry in the trailer. Take 12% of that, and so on. But this requires some previous trailering experience. And what you carry often grows over time.
  • Do you have ecoboost and max payload?? If you do and you have the 3.73 rear you're in good shape.
  • As I have recently discovered/realized...(see thread - http://forums.goodsamclub.com/index.cfm/fuseaction/thread/tid/27182763.cfm

    How much we can tow in our 1/2 tons, is not the real problem...it's the ability to have passengers and "stuff" in our truck WHILE we are towing.

    HOWEVER, with that said...I believe we must pay attention to the weight on our axles...that explains, why I am able to tow my 2009 Keystone Laredo 29 bhs (potentially 7900 lbs and the 700-800 lbs on my hitch) I still had 600 or so pounds to go on my axles. We have traveled close to 3000 miles comfortably, i believe now I will pack most of the items in the camper, that I used to put in the bed of my truck. I will leave the truck for me and the family.

    With that said, since we are going to be "lifers" for camping, our next truck will probably be a super duty so we can get any camper we want. :)