Forum Discussion

OutdoorPhotogra's avatar
Apr 07, 2015

Check my tow numbers

Currently pull a pop-up so math has never mattered. Moved back to East Coast and rain takes all the fun away from a pop-up. I'm going to an RV Show on Saturday just to poke around. May buy in a couple months or may wait a year but need to see what I can comfortably pull. Looks like 4500lbs dry, 6500 loaded is max.

As expected, cargo weight is what is killing me. I can stay at 80% of tow rating and GVCWR but will max or close on TW with 100#'s allocated for WD hitch.

Here are the numbers. Calculations from spreadsheet I built:
2007 F-150, 5.4L V8, 3.73 LS
Tires: LT 275/65R18 E
Tow Rating: 9,000 lbs
GVWR: 7050
GCVWR: 14,500

5440 Truck w/full gas (scales)
560 4 Pax
100 Cargo:
100 WD Hitch
------
6200 Loaded Truck
850 slack for tongue weight of trailer (Hitch rated to 950 with WD Hitch)

So, at 13% for Tongue Weight:
4500# Trailer Dry: 585 TW, 10,700 Gross Combined (65%)
6500# Trailer GVWR: 845 TW, 12,700 Gross Combined (85%)
  • Dakota98 wrote:
    lawrosa wrote:


    What you need is individual axle weights from the scales. Front and rear. The compare them with the axle weights on the door tag..

    Subtract the two and that's your payload left period.. Payload for TW or pin weight plus passengers, fuel and gear,


    Sorry, but that is incorrect. OP has it right. Exceeding GVWR is not recommended.


    Uh not as far as I know.. DOT goes buy axle weights. I drove a tractor trailer many years...Although in a commercial application there is no difference IMO with non commercial...

    The weight police should have no issues if you are with in axle and tire limits..

    After all the tires carry the load period...
  • lawrosa wrote:


    What you need is individual axle weights from the scales. Front and rear. The compare them with the axle weights on the door tag..

    Subtract the two and that's your payload left period.. Payload for TW or pin weight plus passengers, fuel and gear,


    Sorry, but that is incorrect. OP has it right. Exceeding GVWR is not recommended.
  • I'm going off GVWR. If it's 7050, I thought I couldn't go over that?

    I don't have actual axle weights from scale because no scale I've ever used has provided a breakdown.

    Front GAWR: 3450
    Rear GAWR: 3850
  • cant make heads or tails of your post in regards to weights because you are going by GVW I assume...

    What you need is individual axle weights from the scales. Front and rear. The compare them with the axle weights on the door tag..

    Subtract the two and that's your payload left period.. Payload for TW or pin weight plus passengers, fuel and gear,,

    Anything else and your just guessing.. If you want to stay under GVW thats fine but you may have a lot more capacity...

    Once you get your payload info you will know exactly what you can tow...