What does 11,000 lbs of towing capacity mean?

The 11,000# capacity is real for things like boats and utility trailers that don't have the tongue weight. This assumes of course that you have NOTHING and no one else but the driver in the cab.

The limitations of a 1/2 ton are the tongue weight restriction (usually 1k - 1200#), axle ratings, and payload. A travel trailer will run those out pretty fast and not come near to the tow rating of 11,000#. This is why they make 3/4 and 1 ton models. Bigger payload, bigger axle capacity, and heavier tongue limit.

easycamper wrote:
If you're buying a new truck anyway you might as well go big and get an F-350.

You'll want the published hitch weight to be well within the trucks payload capacity so you have room for passengers and any other cargo.

Thanks, but my repair costs on a 1/2 ton are a lot cheaper than yours... And I don't need that big of a trailer, not yet anyway! :p

X2 on the payload!

dockmasterdave wrote:
For a travel trailer, reduce the manufacturer's rating by at least 1/3.

I've recently discovered how much wind drag isn't figured into those numbers. I'd guess a TT about 8,000 would be a comfortable tow.

so if you have a 3/4 ton truck with a 10k towing rating you should only tow 6700 pounds?

Or if I have a dually rated to tow 22,300 pounds I should only tow 14K?

I think your blanket statement is a little off.

donn0128 wrote:
Towing capacity is how much it can tow.

Ah, if only it were that simple....;)

If you're buying a new truck anyway you might as well go big and get an F-350.

You'll want the published hitch weight to be well within the trucks payload capacity so you have room for passengers and any other cargo.

For a travel trailer, reduce the manufacturer's rating by at least 1/3.

I've recently discovered how much wind drag isn't figured into those numbers. I'd guess a TT about 8,000 would be a comfortable tow.

That means 11000 lb. is the most it can Tove if nothing els in vehicle. So it can't Tove 13400 lb.
Frank.

If the truck you want has 11,000 pounds of tow capacity, the trailer you listed the specs for is almost 3,000 pounds too heavy. And as noted above, that "hitch weight" number is likely to far exceed the rear axle/payload rating of the truck.

I see that, like me, you currently tow a small fifth wheel with a 1/2 ton. ;)

That Artic Fox is way too big for an F-150.

+1 to the above. I wouldn't use any half ton to tow a fifth wheel. For a travel trailer, reduce the manufacturer's rating by at least 1/3.

No! Towing capacity is how much it can tow. Fifth wheels place too much load over the rear axle.