Tow weight

[Ejraste]

Im new to the rv trailer world. I am currently in the market for my 1st travel trailer. The idea is to eventually find a full time/seasonal campground that has full amenities. I have small children and thought it would be a good time to start the process. I currently drive a 2018 f150 xlt supercrew 4x4. The max towing capacity is 7400 lbs and max payload is 1990 lbs. I do want a nice size trailer that we won’t put outgrow anytime soon, so my question it’s what is my max trailer weight? Would it be the 7400 lbs? So ideally, I would want my dry weight to be around 5000 to 6000 lbs? Thanks

[GrandpaKip]

nickthehunter wrote:

GrandpaKip wrote:

Ejraste wrote:

afidel wrote:
Correct, J2807 is based on full fluids, a 150 pound driver, and 10% tongue weight using a flat deck trailer with heavy weights adjusted to give the desired tongue weight. It's not at all representative of what real users tow or how most of us use our vehicles. I've talked to several people in the industry about a more realistic tow test using an average family of 4 with 2 teenagers and a few hundred in the bed and a max frontal area but because it would result on smaller numbers everyone has said it would never fly as marketing would kill it.

Honestly I think the test they do, especially the 11 mile Davis dam test is much harder and more demanding than the normal person would pull. Over 3000 feet of elevation over a short 11 mile stretch going a minimum of 40 mph. So for example, if the 2020 Silverado pulled the 9500 lbs through that stretch of elevation and demand without any issues, I would say that pulling 7000 to 7500 lbs would be no issue. And they actually use a 150 lb passenger as well on their runs.

But they are not pulling a wall through the air. As has been said, for RVs, tow weight is basically useless as you will not hit that number before running out of payload.
Tow weight is fine if you are pulling a flatbed full of lumber. Build a front facing wall from that lumber and the result is totally different.

They do test the frontal area, from 12 sft through 60 sft - Read the Standard so you know the facts instead of relying on hearsay.

I just spent 10 minutes trying to read the standard with no luck. I’ll just take your word for it. I guess that’s where the frontal limit in my manual comes from. Thanks for the correction.

[ppine]

There seems to be an ongoing theme that people want to pull stuff with just enough truck. Join the winning team and either get a larger truck of a smaller trailer.

[TomG2]

Even the mighty F-150 has these "Frontal Area Considerations"

55 sq. ft. Any Powertrain with Trailer Towing Package or Payload Package and
Trailer Towing Ratings Between 5,001 and 7,700 lbs.
60 sq. ft. Any Powertrain with Trailer Towing Package or Payload Package and
Trailer Towing Ratings 7,701 lbs. and Greater

From the 2020 Ford Towing Guide.

[nickthehunter]

GrandpaKip wrote:

Ejraste wrote:

afidel wrote:
Correct, J2807 is based on full fluids, a 150 pound driver, and 10% tongue weight using a flat deck trailer with heavy weights adjusted to give the desired tongue weight. It's not at all representative of what real users tow or how most of us use our vehicles. I've talked to several people in the industry about a more realistic tow test using an average family of 4 with 2 teenagers and a few hundred in the bed and a max frontal area but because it would result on smaller numbers everyone has said it would never fly as marketing would kill it.

Honestly I think the test they do, especially the 11 mile Davis dam test is much harder and more demanding than the normal person would pull. Over 3000 feet of elevation over a short 11 mile stretch going a minimum of 40 mph. So for example, if the 2020 Silverado pulled the 9500 lbs through that stretch of elevation and demand without any issues, I would say that pulling 7000 to 7500 lbs would be no issue. And they actually use a 150 lb passenger as well on their runs.

But they are not pulling a wall through the air. As has been said, for RVs, tow weight is basically useless as you will not hit that number before running out of payload.
Tow weight is fine if you are pulling a flatbed full of lumber. Build a front facing wall from that lumber and the result is totally different.

They do test the frontal area, from 12 sft through 60 sft - Read the Standard so you know the facts instead of relying on hearsay.

[Grit_dog]

Most of you remember back before the internet, fuel injection, disk brakes and maybe seatbelts.
Don’t over complicate things.

[TomG2]

What does the fine print say about frontal area limitations? A huge consideration when towing with a marginal tow vehicle.

[GrandpaKip]

Ejraste wrote:

afidel wrote:
Correct, J2807 is based on full fluids, a 150 pound driver, and 10% tongue weight using a flat deck trailer with heavy weights adjusted to give the desired tongue weight. It's not at all representative of what real users tow or how most of us use our vehicles. I've talked to several people in the industry about a more realistic tow test using an average family of 4 with 2 teenagers and a few hundred in the bed and a max frontal area but because it would result on smaller numbers everyone has said it would never fly as marketing would kill it.

Honestly I think the test they do, especially the 11 mile Davis dam test is much harder and more demanding than the normal person would pull. Over 3000 feet of elevation over a short 11 mile stretch going a minimum of 40 mph. So for example, if the 2020 Silverado pulled the 9500 lbs through that stretch of elevation and demand without any issues, I would say that pulling 7000 to 7500 lbs would be no issue. And they actually use a 150 lb passenger as well on their runs.

But they are not pulling a wall through the air. As has been said, for RVs, tow weight is basically useless as you will not hit that number before running out of payload.
Tow weight is fine if you are pulling a flatbed full of lumber. Build a front facing wall from that lumber and the result is totally different.

[Ejraste]

afidel wrote:
Correct, J2807 is based on full fluids, a 150 pound driver, and 10% tongue weight using a flat deck trailer with heavy weights adjusted to give the desired tongue weight. It's not at all representative of what real users tow or how most of us use our vehicles. I've talked to several people in the industry about a more realistic tow test using an average family of 4 with 2 teenagers and a few hundred in the bed and a max frontal area but because it would result on smaller numbers everyone has said it would never fly as marketing would kill it.

Honestly I think the test they do, especially the 11 mile Davis dam test is much harder and more demanding than the normal person would pull. Over 3000 feet of elevation over a short 11 mile stretch going a minimum of 40 mph. So for example, if the 2020 Silverado pulled the 9500 lbs through that stretch of elevation and demand without any issues, I would say that pulling 7000 to 7500 lbs would be no issue. And they actually use a 150 lb passenger as well on their runs.

[afidel]

Correct, J2807 is based on full fluids, a 150 pound driver, and 10% tongue weight using a flat deck trailer with heavy weights adjusted to give the desired tongue weight. It's not at all representative of what real users tow or how most of us use our vehicles. I've talked to several people in the industry about a more realistic tow test using an average family of 4 with 2 teenagers and a few hundred in the bed and a max frontal area but because it would result on smaller numbers everyone has said it would never fly as marketing would kill it.

[JIMNLIN]

Yeah, from what I’m reading, most new trucks are tow rated Based on j2807 standards. So if a truck is rated for 10,000 lbs then that means it passed every single test towing towing 10,000 lbs.

The 10000 lb tow rating is for all types of trailers....not just rv trailers. Tow = carry and pull weight.
Many 1/2 ton trucks can have a 10000 lb tow rating however depending on the trailer type may not have the rear suspension to carry fixed hitch loads from A TT or 5th wheel trailer.

Other trailer types like car haulers/cargo trailers/stock trailers/equipment trailers/etc, the load can be arranged to determine a hitch load for any truck/trailer combo.

[Ejraste]

GrandpaKip wrote:

Ejraste wrote:

I tend to think I could easily keep a 6000 lb trailer under 8000lbs when loading it.
If it actually weighs 6000# dry. Mine was around 300# more than stated dry weight. I scaled it on the way home from the dealer. On a trailer that size, I wouldn’t be surprised to see 500# or more.

That’s understood which I’ll keep into consideration. I gave myself wiggle room with the weight numbers I stated above.

Sounds good. I have the same truck you are looking at and I doubt if you would have any problem toting a 7000# trailer.

Yeah, from what I’m reading, most new trucks are tow rated Based on j2807 standards. So if a truck is rated for 10,000 lbs then that means it passed every single test towing towing 10,000 lbs. The tests were all completed with 150lb driver and passenger and all towing/hitch equipment needed. Just to make sure I am understanding this correctly? Of course, any extra weight added above that would lower your towing capacity, and as long as you are Not maxed out on gvcwr and payload, then I would assume the truck is capable of handling the weight.

[Jebby14]

SlothHorn wrote:
First time poster. I anticipate become a full-fledged member of this site/community as I get started.

Like many, I am confused about my truck's towing capacity. I've read every word of this thread twice. I figure, the best thing might be to put on my own truck's specs and lean on the experts on here for help.

2009 Dodge Ram SLT Quad Cab 2WD 4.7 V8
Gear Ratio 3.55
GVWR 6,700
3,700 front; 3,900 rear
Payload 1,681 - I'm assuming this is my payload as it's on the sticker inside my door.

95% of our travel will be somewhat local and on flat roads; however, we do want to take the occasional cross-country trip. We'll never be in a hurry as we're teachers and anticipate these rare trips to be over a good length of time.

What would be a comfortable dry weight "max" for a travel trailer? Thanks in advance. Ty

in the future you might want to post your own thread instead od hijacking one several pages deep. that said, how much stuff do you bring and how big is the family being loaded in the truck? ill guess and do the math, you can adjust the numbers accordingly.

1681
-500 lbs (family adjust as required)
-100 lbs (hitch)
-250 lbs (stuff in truck, wood, cooler, bikes, ect adjust as required)
=831 lbs remaining payload

831 / .015 = 5540 lbs fully loaded (at 15 percent tongue weight)

therefore looking for a trailer with a GVWR of 5500 lbs is a good bet
likely mean a dry weight around 4000 lbs.

[Sjm9911]

Can you tow it yes. But i might have said this allready, it will be a dog acelerating and stoping. And bad up mountians. So if they have the truck lanes for slow traffic , you will be there. It will also be loud, high rpms. Does the 2020 1500s still have the variable engien for the better gas millage? That also hurts the acceleration when entering highways. The delay in the power was noticable on my 2012 seirea with the same gearing and engien. So, you can tow it but it will not be fun. If your only towing on level ground, it will be better.

[SlothHorn]

First time poster. I anticipate become a full-fledged member of this site/community as I get started.

Like many, I am confused about my truck's towing capacity. I've read every word of this thread twice. I figure, the best thing might be to put on my own truck's specs and lean on the experts on here for help.

2009 Dodge Ram SLT Quad Cab 2WD 4.7 V8
Gear Ratio 3.55
GVWR 6,700
3,700 front; 3,900 rear
Payload 1,681 - I'm assuming this is my payload as it's on the sticker inside my door.

95% of our travel will be somewhat local and on flat roads; however, we do want to take the occasional cross-country trip. We'll never be in a hurry as we're teachers and anticipate these rare trips to be over a good length of time.

What would be a comfortable dry weight "max" for a travel trailer? Thanks in advance. Ty