Forum Discussion

bgitler's avatar
bgitler
Explorer
Mar 13, 2015

What can I safely pull?

Hello,

I have been trolling towing capacity forums for several weeks because I decided to purchase a tt and need a vehicle to tow it. I have narrowed my vehicle search down to a 2004 Ford f150 Crew Cab 5.4 L V8 4x4 (Towing Capacity 7,700 lbs) and a 2004 Avalanche 5.4 L v8 4x4 (Towing Capacity 7,100 lbs). Most people list their vehicle and tt and ask if it is safe to pull. However, I'd like to hear from all of you how much weight would be safe for me to pull, and your opinion of these 2 vehicles.

Thank you in advance, the snow is melting and I'm getting itchy to go camping!

Ben
Tow Vehicles

35 Replies

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  • agesilaus's avatar
    agesilaus
    Explorer III
    Mar 13, 2015
    Well the carrying capacity on the door post is based on a 155 pound driver. Anything more comes right off the total capacity. Just a guess that the F150 might have a 1500 pound carry capacity but you need to find out.

    BTW your statement: "I have been trolling towing capacity forums for several weeks because I decided to purchase a tt and need a vehicle to tow it." Certainly implies that you know the specs on the TT.
  • bgitler's avatar
    bgitler
    Explorer
    Mar 13, 2015
    agesilaus, there are no games being played, and I'm sorry that you feel the need to respond so harshly. I do not own a tt and have never shoped for one. Like I said in my original post, I am interested in knowing from experienced RVer's what I can safely tow.

    As far as carrying capacity, it will only be myself 200 lbs, wife 140 lbs and 2 children 40 lbs each. I figure I would probably have about 750 lbs of "stuff" we'd be taking with us.

    Thanks again everyone!
  • agesilaus's avatar
    agesilaus
    Explorer III
    Mar 13, 2015
    once again the carrying capacity of the tow vehicle is as important and often more important than the pulling capacity. The tongue weight of a almost 8000 pound trailer will be over a thousand pounds. Add on the weight of a weight distributing hitch, truck passengers, any thing else carried in the truck to see if it falls within the carry capacity.


    By playing cute games by hiding the specifications of the trailer that you already have makes one think that you believe that's it's too heavy.
  • bgitler's avatar
    bgitler
    Explorer
    Mar 13, 2015
    Thanks donn0128. 7 k wouldn't be pushing the limmits too much?
  • donn0128's avatar
    donn0128
    Explorer II
    Mar 13, 2015
    Generally speaking the Ford is probsbly good up to about 25 feet long. The Av because it is a glorified Tahoe, maybe 22 feet long. Weight on either one will max out around 7K. And that is if the truck is lightely loaded.

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