Calculated tow capability... Disappointed
So, in my search for the TT that the wife and I want, I've been diligently trying to calculate GVWR, GAWR, Traier capacity etc.. etc...I've read quite a bit, and I thought I would be okay with my tow ...
Forum Discussion
itguy08 wrote:ib516 wrote:
You've discovered what many already know. The over-inflated advertised tow ratings of most 1500/150 series trucks. There are a few rare exceptions, but in the configuration most people buy, you'll never come close to be able to tow the huge amounts they advertise. Especially now that they are up to 12k plus. It's silly.
"Half tons" are just fine for towing, if you use your head and run the numbers like you did.
Everyone does need to run the #'s but the advertised #'s are not necessarily over inflated. And yes the max tow/payload packages can be hard to find but you can order it and get exactly what you want.
I've got a 2011 F150 Supercrew 4x4 Lariat with the Ecoboost and Max Tow package. It's got heated/cooled leather, power windows, locks, etc. - definitely not stripped. Ford quotes 11,300 lbs towing capacity for this configuration.
The yellow payload sticker of my unit says 1,820 lbs. At 11,300 and 10%, that's 1130 lbs off my payload. Still leaves me 690 lbs for people and cargo.
The important thing is that people need to look at their specific configuration and determine what they can safely tow. Pick the vehicle that matches what you want to do.
I dunno. You could easily be over 10% tongue weight. Even in your best case scenario you would be at the absolute max, and if you're an average size male you'd have 490 lbs for everything else once you sat in the driver's seat. To me that's not very realistic for most families. Hell, go to a Walmart and look around - that might barely allow for your wife to ride along. :B
I think I may be comfortable towing up to 8000 lbs in a half ton equipped with the heavy hauling packages. That would give you a somewhat reasonable amount of cargo capacity. Get above that 8,000 lb number much and I think going heavy duty makes a lot more sense, especially if you tow a lot in the mountains. I'm sure for what you paid for a well equipped F150, a heavy duty truck would have been well within your wheelhouse. The new HD trucks ride and drive really nicely so they've plenty comfortable as daily drivers.
