Hi All! I'm having trouble deciphering the towing capacity of my truck.Vehicle stats:2016 Ford F-150 4x4 SuperCrew3.5L V-6 EcoBoost3.3 Axle ratioGCWR 16100#Conv. towing trailer cap 10,600#Would my truck tow a UVW 5000# (6800# GVWR) trailer comfortably? I'm new to RVing and looking to purchase my first. I want to be comfortable towing i.e.having acceleration power and ability to get up inclines. If not, what kind of power should I be looking to get?I look forward to your input! Thanks-j

A lot of towing capacity depends on how much you put in the tow vehicle ! If you have 4 college football line men (300+ lb each) and a ATV in the bed with 20 gallons of extra fuel, your capacity will be greatly reduced.You are well within the specs (again depending on vehicle loading), but my gut says you would be much happier if you had the 3.55 or 3.73 axle. Expensive on a 4x4 because you need to change both front and rear.

You left out two numbers....payload and transmission gears.I’m very happy with a 3.23 rear end and eight speed transmission pulling 5200 pounds. Much better than my 2015 Tahoe with a 3.42. Engines are nearly identical. 1712 pounds of payload isn’t a bunch but sufficient.

Your propossed setup falls nicely into what most would recommend.Generally a 1/2 ton can tow a 7K TT... Going over that means a more detailed look at just how the 1/2 ton is configured.Of course, this assumes normal loading and usage.Have fun with your new camper!

Ditto. I wouldn’t be the least bit concerned with anything in the size/weight of trailer you’re considering. Have a couple friends who pull larger TTs with that general era of Eco Boosts , almost exclusively in Colorado without complaints.

Power won't be an issue. Modern trucks have horsepower to spare. You'll be fine with that combo.

Tow Vehicle rating and comfort | Good Sam Community

28 Replies

Grit_dog
Navigator
Dec 29, 2019
@drsteve. Side ramps onto a atv/sled deck. Drive up.
coolmom42
Explorer II
Dec 28, 2019
jeraco wrote:
Hi All! I'm having trouble deciphering the towing capacity of my truck.

Vehicle stats:
2016 Ford F-150 4x4 SuperCrew
3.5L V-6 EcoBoost
3.3 Axle ratio
GCWR 16100#
Conv. towing trailer cap 10,600#

Would my truck tow a UVW 5000# (6800# GVWR) trailer comfortably? I'm new to RVing and looking to purchase my first. I want to be comfortable towing i.e.having acceleration power and ability to get up inclines. If not, what kind of power should I be looking to get?

I look forward to your input! Thanks-j

You will be fine, unless you put a huge amount of heavy stuff in the bed of the truck. That Ecoboost is a towing beast.
drsteve
Explorer
Dec 28, 2019
Huntindog wrote:
afidel wrote:
Huntindog wrote:
All I could afford wrote:
It is possible to fill a F150 with 5 people, bikes, and food enough that you effectively have zero tow capacity because you have no capacity for the tongue weight
It is possible for me to do that with my 1 ton dually as well.

What, by loading the bed with pallets of water?
Take a look at my profile picture. If you still have any questions... Post them up.

I never noticed the quads in the bed until I enlarged the pic. Nice! I assume that's a hydraulic lift setup? How much weight does it add to the truck?
Huntindog
Explorer
Dec 27, 2019
afidel wrote:
Huntindog wrote:
All I could afford wrote:
It is possible to fill a F150 with 5 people, bikes, and food enough that you effectively have zero tow capacity because you have no capacity for the tongue weight
It is possible for me to do that with my 1 ton dually as well.

What, by loading the bed with pallets of water?
Take a look at my profile picture. If you still have any questions... Post them up.
Boomerweps
Explorer
Dec 27, 2019
Short answer: no problem.
IMHO, that size TT is in the "sweet spot" weight-wise for towing with your truck. As others have mentioned, just watch your tongue weight and truck loading not to exceed your CCC or RAWR.
time2roll
Nomad
Dec 27, 2019
Yes an F150 with a 10,000+ tow capacity rating should be very comfortable towing a RV travel trailer with 6,800 GVWR.
TomG2
Explorer
Dec 27, 2019
Payload is king, since it takes the whole vehicle into consideration, not just individual components. One could put a huge rear axle under a Ranger and still be limited in towing capacity to the whole vehicle. My buddy put a F-350 rear axle under his F-150. It lived about six months after he loaded it to rear axle capacity.

Everyone has their personal preferences. When I tow 7,000 pound trailers, I want a 2500 series pickup. I like staying under 6,000 pounds with a half ton. I am more comfortable at fifty percent of capacity rather than ninety percent. That's what works for "me".
JIMNLIN
Explorer III
Dec 27, 2019
welcome to the forum jeraco.
The 3.5 EB engine and 3.31 gears and the 6 speed tranny will have no problems pulling that trailer.
The number you have to watch is that small 3800 RAWR Ford uses with the 6800 gvwr package. RAWR can be the lessor rating of a tire...wheel...rear spring pack....rear axle. With this trucks 6800 gvwr and 3800 rawr numbers its rear spring pack.
You have the truck so drop by a set of scales and weigh the trucks front and rear axles. This will tell you to the lb how much weigh will be in the bed and on the back of the truck. (example) Your trucks rear axle may weigh in the 2400 lb range which leaves around 1400 lb payload on the rear axle.
These numbers along with a weight distributing hitch mfg instructions can also help in setting up the WD hitch and dialing it in.
afidel
Explorer II
Dec 27, 2019
Huntindog wrote:
All I could afford wrote:
It is possible to fill a F150 with 5 people, bikes, and food enough that you effectively have zero tow capacity because you have no capacity for the tongue weight
It is possible for me to do that with my 1 ton dually as well.

What, by loading the bed with pallets of water?
drsteve
Explorer
Dec 27, 2019
All I could afford wrote:
It is possible to fill a F150 with 5 people, bikes, and food enough that you effectively have zero tow capacity because you have no capacity for the tongue weight

In that case, buy an F250.