Opinions wanted on Towing

Gentlemen,

Ford states I can have 1130 on the tounge, so after draining the fresh tank (240 Lbs) I'm within spec. Ford puts out a good guide at: http://www.ford.com/resources/ford/general/pdf/towingguides/11FLMRVTT_F150nov18.pdf

I recently lowered the ball height (by one position) as the rear tires on the TT seemed to be getting warmer than the fronts (trailer is a spread axle design)

If anyone here is familiar with the Blue ox rig, I'm using the 9th links which gives a noticable bend to the bars.

Still a newbie so any help is appreciated.

Mickey, without WD his rear axle would go up by about 1600 pounds from unhitched and front axle lose 400 pounds by my estimation. Applying weight behind the rear axle acts like a lever with the rear axle as the fulcrum. He has restored some, even most (maybe 320 pounds) of the weight take off the front axle, more than what Ford recommends at 50%.

The 3-pass weights (vs. two) would show how much weight was removed front the front axle, how much was restored, and actual TW.

fordownr wrote:
RPMTZIG,

Please check with your FORD dealer as there are MANY possible issues (Technical Service Bulletins) with the combination you are describing. I have a 2011 F-150 Super crew (5.0 Ltr) towing a Keystone passport (~7500 lbs fully loaded). Have a significant shimmy/stutter when first taking off but it goes away above 25MPH. Ford has replaced the driveshaft, Trans Mounts, and put new springs under the rear end, but still have the issue.

Separate loaded weights are:
Truck front 3480, rear 3080
Trailer 7520

Connected weights are:
Truck front 3400, Rear 4280
Trailer 6360

We are using a Blue Ox weight distributing hitch (BWX1000) and the truck and trailer combined are on plane.

Do some research on the consequences of overloading a semi-float axle.

APT wrote:
Mickey, his WDH is ok. Ford recommend restoring only half the lost front axle weight due to tongue weight. He probably has more than that.

However, I'm pretty sure he is over the rear axle rating (4050?) and receiver rating (950?). His TW is more like 1300 pounds and needs stronger WD bars.

Try the scale again, 3 passes. Truck alone. Truck with trailer without WD, truck with trailer with WD.

You likely know more about this than I, especially since I have no familiarity with the Blue Ox (we use and EQ). However, he is showing a 1,200 pound loss from the trailer (tw), and ALL of that 1,200 is showing up on the drive axle. I understand what you are saying as far as Ford's recommendation for only restoring some of the loss, but there should be some transfer to the trailer as well. We don't have the raw number of the tongue weight (the third pass you refer to), but unless he has 1,500+ pound tongue weight (extremely high at 20%), I'm having trouble seeing how anything is being transferred anywhere. I'm not the expert others are, and I won't claim to be, but something seems off in the numbers.

On the other items, I fully agree that he is likely over on some of his weights and that the 3 passes would be very helpful in determining what is going on.

Mickey, his WDH is ok. Ford recommend restoring only half the lost front axle weight due to tongue weight. He probably has more than that.

However, I'm pretty sure he is over the rear axle rating (4050?) and receiver rating (950?). His TW is more like 1300 pounds and needs stronger WD bars.

Try the scale again, 3 passes. Truck alone. Truck with trailer without WD, truck with trailer with WD.

fordownr wrote:
RPMTZIG,

Please check with your FORD dealer as there are MANY possible issues (Technical Service Bulletins) with the combination you are describing. I have a 2011 F-150 Super crew (5.0 Ltr) towing a Keystone passport (~7500 lbs fully loaded). Have a significant shimmy/stutter when first taking off but it goes away above 25MPH. Ford has replaced the driveshaft, Trans Mounts, and put new springs under the rear end, but still have the issue.

Separate loaded weights are:
Truck front 3480, rear 3080
Trailer 7520

Connected weights are:
Truck front 3400, Rear 4280
Trailer 6360

We are using a Blue Ox weight distributing hitch (BWX1000) and the truck and trailer combined are on plane.

They may be 'on plane,' but I honestly can't imagine that hitch is adjusted properly. A properly adjusted wd hitch should put some weight on the drive axle, some on the steer axle, and some back on the axles of the trailer. You have 1,200 pounds (which is likely the entire tongue weight of the trailer) registering entirely on your rear axle.

I don't know that this would cause any of the shaking you are indicating (can't imagine why it would), but it could certainly exacerbate any underlying issues you may have. FWIW - I'd go back and check your set-up and see if you can't tweak it.

RPMTZIG,

Please check with your FORD dealer as there are MANY possible issues (Technical Service Bulletins) with the combination you are describing. I have a 2011 F-150 Super crew (5.0 Ltr) towing a Keystone passport (~7500 lbs fully loaded). Have a significant shimmy/stutter when first taking off but it goes away above 25MPH. Ford has replaced the driveshaft, Trans Mounts, and put new springs under the rear end, but still have the issue.

Separate loaded weights are:
Truck front 3480, rear 3080
Trailer 7520

Connected weights are:
Truck front 3400, Rear 4280
Trailer 6360

We are using a Blue Ox weight distributing hitch (BWX1000) and the truck and trailer combined are on plane.

7100 pound GVWR - 6100 pound actual scaled weight leaves 1000 pounds for loaded TW. Or, 750 if you take off for your estimated cargo which is a good idea since I have never seen a pickup pull into a campground with an empty bed.

6200 pounds dry is the high end of half ton towing IMO. With only a couple (no kids?), that should be fine. Get a WDH with integrated sway control.

DiskDoctr wrote:

skipnchar wrote:
80% range is useful for those not willing or able to do the REAL numbers but it appears you don't have that problem. Using 80% of capacity just allows you to do estimates instead of real numbers.

Yep. I would add that towing above 80% (generally speaking) requires specific care, including in most cases a properly adjusted weight distribution hitch (WDH), proportional brake controller, properly rated and inflated tires, and additional 'skill' by the operator.

In most vehicles when towing above 80%, you will certainly 'know' you are towing! You will be lugging up hills, have to tow at reduced speeds, have to pay special attention to road defects that cause significant bounce, etc.

Most vehicles towing below 80% are very forgiving for inexperienced at towing drivers.

IMHO, that is why you hear the 80% number quoted often. Keep in mind that MANY vehicles have TWO SEPARATE tow ratings- one without WDH and one with WDH. The difference? About 20% ;) Get the picture?

Interestingly, those who argue for or against the '80% rule' usually are the ones who know enough and have enough experience and proper equipment that the safety margin doesn't affect them. How's that for ironic? LOL.

Be sure you have the proper WDH and sway control and properly adjust your WDH. Many forget or don't know how to adjust their WDH. It makes a HUGE difference.

Hope this helps.

Well written statement. I completely agree. It's simply thrown around here too often, as a one size fits all standard, and others are dodging death and injury every time they hit the road at or near full capacity.

skipnchar wrote:
80% range is useful for those not willing or able to do the REAL numbers but it appears you don't have that problem. Using 80% of capacity just allows you to do estimates instead of real numbers.

Yep. I would add that towing above 80% (generally speaking) requires specific care, including in most cases a properly adjusted weight distribution hitch (WDH), proportional brake controller, properly rated and inflated tires, and additional 'skill' by the operator.

In most vehicles when towing above 80%, you will certainly 'know' you are towing! You will be lugging up hills, have to tow at reduced speeds, have to pay special attention to road defects that cause significant bounce, etc.

Most vehicles towing below 80% are very forgiving for inexperienced at towing drivers.

IMHO, that is why you hear the 80% number quoted often. Keep in mind that MANY vehicles have TWO SEPARATE tow ratings- one without WDH and one with WDH. The difference? About 20% ;) Get the picture?

Interestingly, those who argue for or against the '80% rule' usually are the ones who know enough and have enough experience and proper equipment that the safety margin doesn't affect them. How's that for ironic? LOL.

Be sure you have the proper WDH and sway control and properly adjust your WDH. Many forget or don't know how to adjust their WDH. It makes a HUGE difference.

Hope this helps.