2011 Ford F150 and Travel Trailer

[vmacky]

Newbie here and appreciate what I have gathered from this forum so far. Just looking for opinions from some experienced people. Have a 2011 Ford F150 Super Crew with 3.73 rear axel, 5.0 L V8, 4x4, 145" WB, and tow package with anti sway control. Bought 2014 Keystone Hideout 31 RBDS (weight lists at 7660lbs). Have a dealer installed Curt WD hitch, and Primus Brake Controller installed. Checked Ford website for towing and it lists GCVWR as 15,100 and max trailer weight as 9300#. Towed home from dealership and everything rode well. Here is the but, my brother in law, who tows a lot for his job said that I need something bigger than my F150. I don't see why if I am within max truck payload, GCVWR and everything else. Looking for other's opinions. Thanks to all.

[spud1957]

vmacky wrote:
So thanks to everyone from previous responses, went with Ford F350 diesel as my new tow vehicle and made the first trip. Quickly realized that the super duty was much needed and made the 4 hour trip pleasurable.

Wow. Nice upgrade!!!

Pictures ??

[vmacky]

So thanks to everyone from previous responses, went with Ford F350 diesel as my new tow vehicle and made the first trip. Quickly realized that the super duty was much needed and made the 4 hour trip pleasurable.

[vmacky]

This is why I already love this forum. I appreciate everyone's responses and the time to respond. Since I bought this in October and it was already winterized, the trailer is in storage and I will look for a Super Duty come April or May. Thanks again and happy camping to all.

[Hybridhunter]

The rear axle on the F150 can bear almost the entire payload and not be overloaded on most models. Not really a concern on his model, as the axle is derated to the spring rating.
Ford does "recommend" only restoring 1/2 the weight post 2011. However, if "required" to keep things below GAWR, I doubt there would be an issue. It was a change in recommendation in 2011, prior to that they stated differently. (Only change at that point was a switch to EPS) However, the WDH setup instructions from Ford, if followed, can lead to near 80%+ restoration if followed. Some conflict there.....

[APT]

I'd like to point out the Ford recommend for 2011+ F-150 that only half of the front axle load is restored by using a WDH, which would put even less weight back on TT axles.

7600 pounds dry is too much for the most capable half tons, and OP does not have the most capable half ton.

I recommend the OP weighing the setup, 3 passes like GIJoe listed. Then he can compare with all his ratings (GCWR, axle, GVWR, etc). I suspect he is traveling at least 500 pounds over rear axle and over truck GVWR.

[lbrjet]

Hybridhunter wrote:

lbrjet wrote:
1/3 of the TW does not get transferred to the trailer, show me your weight tickets. Typically it is more like 15-20%. There are numerous examples of three scale weightings on this forum and I have never seen 1/3. It is usually less than 20%.

I stated 1/3 of the weight removed from the rear axle goes rearward to the trailer. I concur with 15-20% of gross tongue weight as an accurate number. I have spreadsheets for a couple trailers that show in between those, shank length, TV length, and trailer length determining actual.

Sorry, I misunderstood your post.

[AlmostAnOldGuy]

I agree with you Barney, frontal area makes a big difference and I was remiss in not including that. For example it is much easier towing a boat than a TT. Just mentioning that TTs are expected to have 10 to 15% whereas manufacturers specs often assume 10%. My current setup is closer to 15%. Therefore would recommend getting the loaded rig on the scales so real numbers are available and then the math is easy.

Good luck,
Stu

[Hybridhunter]

lbrjet wrote:
1/3 of the TW does not get transferred to the trailer, show me your weight tickets. Typically it is more like 15-20%. There are numerous examples of three scale weightings on this forum and I have never seen 1/3. It is usually less than 20%.

I stated 1/3 of the weight removed from the rear axle goes rearward to the trailer. I concur with 15-20% of gross tongue weight as an accurate number. I have spreadsheets for a couple trailers that show in between those, shank length, TV length, and trailer length determining actual.

[BarneyS]

AlmostAnOldGuy wrote:
Snip...

As far as the trucks tow weighting the manufacturer assumes you are pulling a flatbed when making those numbers. A travel trailer is different, primarily with more tongue weight.

Good luck,
Stu

Primarily it is the frontal area that makes towing a TT different from a flat bed. Tongue weights could easily be the same but the TT will tow much harder.
Barney

[AlmostAnOldGuy]

As mentioned you want to load up like you will be camping and get it on a scale. I suspect your brother in law is right. Don't forget to look at the receiver rating as well.

I have the HD Towing and Max Payload and tow a fraction over 8,000. My tongue weight is near the receiver max of 1,150. Your receiver may be less and your payload will likely be exceeded.

As far as the trucks tow weighting the manufacturer assumes you are pulling a flatbed when making those numbers. A travel trailer is different, primarily with more tongue weight.

Good luck,
Stu

[OH48Lt]

Every situation is different, and we can make all the assumptions we want, but the fact of the matter is the OP needs to get weighed properly to determine exactly where his weights are. Guessing can get us somewhat close some of the time, but a proper weighing is in order. Then he can figure out what he needs to do to get safe, if anything.

I have a similar truck (sig below), and a lighter trailer. I have all the power I could ever need, and good brakes, but towing it across Kansas on I-70 a few weeks ago in that wind was white-knuckle all day long. Piece of cake in the Rockies to almost 11000 feet, and everywhere else, but that crosswind blew me all over the place. That day I sure wished I had my SuperDuty back.

[Desert_Captain]

Hybridhunter wrote:
How about you toss 13% out the window? Your assumptions are muddying the discussion. And going 70 mph, wow, that sure is wild.(eyes rolling....) I imagine i would have found out the hard way with nearly 20000 miles on the tires, always going 70. Same with the truck.
Tongue weight can be managed, at 11.5% from the OEM, keeping that around there can yield a safe, nice towing combo. End of story.
And todays F150 is a different truck than even 5 years ago, it's no miracle truck, but it is fine at 100% GVWR.
One obviously does not shoot for 13% tongue weight, just because you day so, if it overloads their truck. I should not have to even post that.

To the OP, can you weigh it? Tweak the WDH to get your axle weights under and see what is what. Your setup can be managed to be legal and safe based on tongue weight, passenger load, and WDH settings. Only you can decide if it tows to your satisfaction and works for you.

As I often note...opinions and YMMV, alas facts do not. You did not address my question, ST tires? which are rated for a max of 65 mph and found on most TT's. Towing a TT without a WDH in the mountains at 70 (OK boys and girls what is wrong with this picture?). Nothing wrong with running at any trucks GVWR, it is not ideal but certainly can be done but the OP's numbers put him hundreds of pounds over GVWR which is neither safe, smart or legal. Sounds like you may have been there but details on your rig are glaringly absent.

Now we do agree on a trip to the scales, not just for the OP but for all of us....been there done that a couple of times.

With a 30'+ TT, especially one pulled by a half ton, anything less than 13% TW IS a potential sway problem, sorry if that upsets you but facts are like that sometimes. If 13% TW overloads the truck you do not have enough truck. Exceeding your RAWR not only is a very bad idea but voids your warranty (but then I should not have to post that). :R

[gijoecam]

lbrjet wrote:
1/3 of the TW does not get transferred to the trailer, show me your weight tickets. Typically it is more like 15-20%. There are numerous examples of three scale weightings on this forum and I have never seen 1/3. It is usually less than 20%.

For comparison, my WDh transfers 180lbs to the trailer axle. The tongue weight is 780lbs. That's about 23% if my math is right... But that's not a significant value to focus on as it's not tongue weight that is being transferred, it's weight from the rear axle. The two are not the same...

[gijoecam]

First pass: WDH Activated
Steer Axle: 4340
Rear Axle: 4280
Trailer: 5560
Gross Combined: 14180

Second pass: Spring Bars removed
Steer Axle: 3980
Rear axle: 4820
Trailer Axle: 5380
Gross Combined: 14180

Third Pass: Tow vehicle only
Steer Axle: 4380
Rear Axle: 3720
Gross Combined: 8020

I'll save you the math since my spreadsheet already did it all for me:
Weight Distributing Hitch Effect
Weight levered off the rear axle: 540
Weight transferred to the steer axle: 360
Weight transferred to trailer axle: 180

By my calculations, that's exactly a 1/3 - 2/3 distribution of the weight it levers off.

And point to note: That's NOT the same thing as distributing 1/3 of the tongue weight...

780lbs of tongue weight transfers an additional 320lbs off the front axle to the rear axle, increasing the rear axle load by 1100lbs. The WDH transfers 540lbs off the rear axle, and distributes 1/3 of that to the trailer, and 2/3 of that to the front axle.

Make sense?