Hello from LouisianaMy wife and I are looking to get a travel trailer in the very near future. We have been shopping and before we purchase anything, I wanted to make sure I'm getting something that our truck can easily tow. I've read ad nauseam online, and I figured why not go straight to the source.We are looking at travel trailers that are mostly about 5000 pounds dry. Everything we've found is in the 4500 - 5500 pound range. These trailers are generally between 22 and 28 feet. I do not plan on towing anything more than that at this point, but am interested in finding what I can comfortably tow, from a reliable source, not an RV salesman.I've read about people pulling really large trailers with similar trucks, all the way up to 8000+ pounds which is WAY more than we need.We have a 2WD F150, with 3.31 gears, and 5.0 V8 (not interested in regearing right now). From the door it looks like payload is 2124. I took the truck to the weigh station yesterday loaded full of fuel as well, and including our weight. I'm attaching those pictures below. Can anyone with experience weigh in here? Thanks in advance.

If it's for you and DW only, try looking a little smaller. I have a 21' with a single slide, Crusier Shadow Cruiser 195wbs. Dry weight is about 3800 and loaded as we camp 4800.Look at my profile to see our TV195wbsYou might need 'E' rated tires and possible shock upgrades from OEM.Others are going to insist that you need a WDH w/sway control, but I manage with out.

6800# (GVW)-5020# (actual weight)=1780# actual payload. It's good to see you're doing your homework.Tow rating is also based on your cab configuration (standaed, Super cab, or Crew cab) and also if you have no tow package, the standard tow package, or the max tow package. If you don't know, a call to a Ford dealer with your VIN should get you the option list as it left the factory.

Per the door sticker and your scale ticket, it looks like you have 1,780# left over for tongue weight with a weight distributing hitch. Your hitch rating is likely below that, so it will be the limiting factor. Unless I'm missing something, I don't see the GCVWR (gross combined vehicle weight rating) on the sticker - you should be able to find it in the manual or towing guide. That number minus the 5,020# total truck weight from the scales will tell you what you have left for GROSS weight of the trailer. When you quote trailer weights, are these empty or the gross weight ratings off the stickers on the trailers? If curb/empty weights, forget those. Use the GVWR for the trailer and calculate 12% of the trailer GVWR for a loaded pin weight. We towed a 26', 7,200 lb. GVWR travel trailer with a 1/2 ton V8 SUV and it handled well. The gas V8, though a good powerplant, was a limiting factor on grades and in the mountains. Just make sure you use a WD hitch with anti-sway and get everything set up properly.Happy - and safe - camping!Rob

The 5L is plenty of motor for what you have in mind but the 3:31 rear end is far from ideal and will dramatically reduce your real world towing comfort level. I would keep the trailers GVWR at 6 to 7,000# or less {ignore all dry weights as they are a joke}.Your payload is good at 1780# but keep in mind even a 6,000# trailer will put 780# + another 100# for the WD hitch - a 7,000# trailer will bump that up to over 1,000#. More than likely your truck has P rated tires which are inappropriate for towing. Moving up to LT tires will make for a huge improvement whatever you buy. As always.... Opinions and YMMV:C

mbopp wrote:6800# (GVW)-5020# (actual weight)=1780# actual payload. It's good to see you're doing your homework.Tow rating is also based on your cab configuration (standaed, Super cab, or Crew cab) and also if you have no tow package, the standard tow package, or the max tow package. If you don't know, a call to a Ford dealer with your VIN should get you the option list as it left the factory.Thanks for the feedback! We have the standard tow OEM package. It was installed as part of the deal when we bought the truck, we got an incredible deal / it's like new. So do you think we're looking slightly too large? I should've added that we have a 90 pound German Shepherd, so having some floorspace for him to lay down was a must. It's crazy what we've been told that we could pull from some of the dealerships. I was cautious the instant I heard them to nod yes to anything we liked...

2016 F150 Questions about Towing and Travel Trailer

josheaton
Explorer
Mar 22, 2017
mbopp wrote:
6800# (GVW)-5020# (actual weight)=1780# actual payload. It's good to see you're doing your homework.
Tow rating is also based on your cab configuration (standaed, Super cab, or Crew cab) and also if you have no tow package, the standard tow package, or the max tow package. If you don't know, a call to a Ford dealer with your VIN should get you the option list as it left the factory.

Thanks for the feedback! We have the standard tow OEM package. It was installed as part of the deal when we bought the truck, we got an incredible deal / it's like new. So do you think we're looking slightly too large? I should've added that we have a 90 pound German Shepherd, so having some floorspace for him to lay down was a must.

It's crazy what we've been told that we could pull from some of the dealerships. I was cautious the instant I heard them to nod yes to anything we liked...
Desert_Captain
Explorer III
Mar 22, 2017
The 5L is plenty of motor for what you have in mind but the 3:31 rear end is far from ideal and will dramatically reduce your real world towing comfort level. I would keep the trailers GVWR at 6 to 7,000# or less {ignore all dry weights as they are a joke}.

Your payload is good at 1780# but keep in mind even a 6,000# trailer will put 780# + another 100# for the WD hitch - a 7,000# trailer will bump that up to over 1,000#.

More than likely your truck has P rated tires which are inappropriate for towing. Moving up to LT tires will make for a huge improvement whatever you buy.

As always.... Opinions and YMMV

:C
Second_Chance
Explorer II
Mar 22, 2017
Per the door sticker and your scale ticket, it looks like you have 1,780# left over for tongue weight with a weight distributing hitch. Your hitch rating is likely below that, so it will be the limiting factor. Unless I'm missing something, I don't see the GCVWR (gross combined vehicle weight rating) on the sticker - you should be able to find it in the manual or towing guide. That number minus the 5,020# total truck weight from the scales will tell you what you have left for GROSS weight of the trailer.

When you quote trailer weights, are these empty or the gross weight ratings off the stickers on the trailers? If curb/empty weights, forget those. Use the GVWR for the trailer and calculate 12% of the trailer GVWR for a loaded pin weight.

We towed a 26', 7,200 lb. GVWR travel trailer with a 1/2 ton V8 SUV and it handled well. The gas V8, though a good powerplant, was a limiting factor on grades and in the mountains. Just make sure you use a WD hitch with anti-sway and get everything set up properly.

Happy - and safe - camping!

Rob
mbopp
Explorer
Mar 22, 2017
6800# (GVW)-5020# (actual weight)=1780# actual payload. It's good to see you're doing your homework.
Tow rating is also based on your cab configuration (standaed, Super cab, or Crew cab) and also if you have no tow package, the standard tow package, or the max tow package. If you don't know, a call to a Ford dealer with your VIN should get you the option list as it left the factory.
WNYBob
Explorer
Mar 22, 2017
If it's for you and DW only, try looking a little smaller. I have a 21' with a single slide, Crusier Shadow Cruiser 195wbs. Dry weight is about 3800 and loaded as we camp 4800.

Look at my profile to see our TV

195wbs

You might need 'E' rated tires and possible shock upgrades from OEM.
Others are going to insist that you need a WDH w/sway control, but I manage with out.

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2016 F150 Questions about Towing and Travel Trailer

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