What does 11,000 lbs of towing capacity mean?

mcsandman wrote:
I'd like to buy a F-150 eco-boost while trying hard to understand all these spec numbers (for an Arctic Fox 27-5L): In a nutshell, can that truck safely do it?
Dry Axle Weight (approx. Lbs.): 7782
Dry Hitch Weight (approx. Lbs.): 1868
Net Carrying Capacity: 3750
Gross Dry Weight - Lbs.: 9650
Gross Vehicle Weight (GVWR) - Lbs.: 13400

While the F-150 can tow a "Lot" - it can not carry a lot in the bed, or take on a heavy pin weight of a fifth wheel. That is better left to the F-350 trucks with full floating rear axle, and 6,500 pound rear axle capacity.

If you are looking at a travel trailer, then the F-150 Ecoboost is a good pick for a 8,000 - 9,000 empty weight trailer, with about 1,000 pounds of expected "Loaded" hitch weight.

The F-150 maximum cargo rating is around 2,300 pounds. However that does not mean you can install a 150 pound fifth wheel hitch and then carry 2,000 pound pin weight without going way over the GVWR of the F-150, because normal families take people in the cab on vacations.

Manufactures rate the "Maximum towing" capacity without passengers, afterall you are asking about "Maximum" so they include minimum amount of weight in the new truck. No factory installed options, or extra weight of passengers.

The GVWR is much higher than the empty weight on this RV. That does sound unusual, I wonder how accurate the empty weight is.

Fred.