I'm trying to help a family member in their TT selection.Truck for discussion:2009 F150 XLT CrewCab 6.5' bed 2WD 5.4L V8 3.55 rear w/ 6-speed transmissionGVWR: 7,100 lbs.Tow rating: ~9,500 lbs.GCWR: 13,000 lbs.A family member has the above truck. It has an ARE camper shell, spray-in bed liner, scooter lift, and scooter. All told, with his wife, him, and the scooter, the truck weighted 6,650 lbs. That leaves just under 500 lbs. available payload for tongue weight and anything else they pack in the truck.The thing is, he's got plenty of more room on his axle ratings (maybe 500 lbs. per). I haven't checked tire ratings yet, they're the same p-rated Michelin tires that came on it.Most towing would be in Texas, Oklahoma, and maybe Arkansas. . . generally short trips. They're looking at campers with dry weights from 4,100 lbs. to 5,300 lbs. I've advised to estimate +1,200 above that as a camping weight and 12% for tongue weight.I'm a stickler for ratings, but it does seem that payload is the one number even the "weight police" don't mind pushing a little.Questions:1. Would you feel safe getting right up to or a little over this payload as long as you're well under axle and tire ratings?2. Is this a candidate for air bags?3. How would adding a leaf spring in the rear effect it? Would you still use the axles as the main restriction?4. Any other ideas? This is a classic case of having the TV before the TT, but a new TV isn't an option right now.Thanks for your help!*Edited to add engine size

Go weigh YOUR truck camp ready....you, passengers and all stuff you would take with you in truck.With YOUR weight numbers then you can find the right TT that is within your trucks ratings and actual payload capacity.Anything else is just a 'guesstimate'.....SWAG (Scientific Wild A** Guess)

Air bags do -not- increase the payload of a vehicle. They may improve the ride but the same weight (plus the weight of the airbag system) is transmitted to the axles.

This sounds suspiciously like a case of "I'm gonna do it anyway, just hope a few folks agree".

I owned a 2010 F-150 Crew Cab 6.5 bed and 5.4 with 3.73 gears and 4x4. My GVWR was 7,700 lbs. Sounds like he doesn't have the max tow package which gives you the upgraded cooling system package. I'm unsure if the regular tow package has the same cooling system upgrades, that's something you'd want to make sure of since you live in a generally warm area of the country. You can usually punch in the VIN of your truck in this web page http://services.forddirect.fordvehicles.com/inventory/WindowSticker.pdf?vin=1FT8W3BT3DEB19230just change the VIN number after the "=" sign. This will give you a breakdown of what the truck is equipped with. As for 1. The limitation on my max tow truck was actually the rims. Each rim was rated at only 2,100 lbs. The "P" rated tires were rated at 2,400 lbs a piece roughly. So I only have 4,200 lbs of capacity at each axle. However, there's a rag that noted a capacity of 4,500 lbs for the axle, so the rims were not limiting the axle by much2. Air bags don't add capacity, they help level the load of your vehicle though so you're not dragging your rear end around.3. For 3, it's the same as 2. I'll note again that in my case, it was my wheel rims being rated at 2,100 lbs a piece. The 9.75 axle (if your truck has that) can actually handle a little more, right around 4,500 lbs (can't remember, but some 4-wheeler mag did a comparison build between the 9.75 and the Dana 60). I can't say much for the other supporting bits though like the leaf pack and bolts that hold the rear suspension together. Personally, as long as you aren't exceeding the axle weight of your rig, I'd be fine with it. Only thing to do is scale the setup and make sure you aren't exceeding the axle ratings.

Jus2shy's reply is very good covered all but two items.#1. based on a post the other day current 7,700# GVWR F150's have a 3,750# front axle and a 4,050# rear for a total of 7,800# of capacity.Given that 7,800 - 6,650 = 1,150, keep in mind that the rear axle is still only 4,050# rated, so you really only have about 900# to play with going by axles.

Payload / Can they tow it question - 2009 F150 | Good Sam Community

jus2shy
Explorer
May 20, 2014
I owned a 2010 F-150 Crew Cab 6.5 bed and 5.4 with 3.73 gears and 4x4. My GVWR was 7,700 lbs. Sounds like he doesn't have the max tow package which gives you the upgraded cooling system package. I'm unsure if the regular tow package has the same cooling system upgrades, that's something you'd want to make sure of since you live in a generally warm area of the country. You can usually punch in the VIN of your truck in this web page http://services.forddirect.fordvehicles.com/inventory/WindowSticker.pdf?vin=1FT8W3BT3DEB19230

just change the VIN number after the "=" sign. This will give you a breakdown of what the truck is equipped with.

As for 1. The limitation on my max tow truck was actually the rims. Each rim was rated at only 2,100 lbs. The "P" rated tires were rated at 2,400 lbs a piece roughly. So I only have 4,200 lbs of capacity at each axle. However, there's a rag that noted a capacity of 4,500 lbs for the axle, so the rims were not limiting the axle by much

2. Air bags don't add capacity, they help level the load of your vehicle though so you're not dragging your rear end around.

3. For 3, it's the same as 2. I'll note again that in my case, it was my wheel rims being rated at 2,100 lbs a piece. The 9.75 axle (if your truck has that) can actually handle a little more, right around 4,500 lbs (can't remember, but some 4-wheeler mag did a comparison build between the 9.75 and the Dana 60). I can't say much for the other supporting bits though like the leaf pack and bolts that hold the rear suspension together.

Personally, as long as you aren't exceeding the axle weight of your rig, I'd be fine with it. Only thing to do is scale the setup and make sure you aren't exceeding the axle ratings.
HappyKayakers
Explorer III
May 20, 2014
This sounds suspiciously like a case of "I'm gonna do it anyway, just hope a few folks agree".
agesilaus
Explorer III
May 20, 2014
Air bags do -not- increase the payload of a vehicle. They may improve the ride but the same weight (plus the weight of the airbag system) is transmitted to the axles.
Old-Biscuit
Explorer III
May 20, 2014
Go weigh YOUR truck camp ready....you, passengers and all stuff you would take with you in truck.

With YOUR weight numbers then you can find the right TT that is within your trucks ratings and actual payload capacity.

Anything else is just a 'guesstimate'.....SWAG (Scientific Wild A** Guess)

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Payload / Can they tow it question - 2009 F150

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