TT good match for TV?

[AndrewM]

Here are the specs on my truck:

2011 F-150 Harley Davidson AWD 6.2
GCWR: 13,500
GVWR: 7,350
Max payload: 1,148
Front & Rear GAWR: 3,850

Would this TT be a good match?

Aerolite 248RBSL
Unloaded Weight 5,179
Hitch Weight 639
Cargo Capacity 1,421
Height 11'
Length 28'8"

Thanks!

[lbrjet]

Plan on 20% transferred back. 33-38% is crazy talk.

I think that trailer will be fine for your truck with one passenger, but I certainly wouldn't go any heavier.

[AndrewM]

I understand that my truck is not an ideal tow vehicle. As such, I plan on staying within the manufacturers ratings without adding aftermarket. I'm sure you can't even get LT tires that fit my rims. I would have to get new rims as well, just for towing. Certainly something I would think about for long trips.

[Hamops]

There has been suggestions that you add Timbren's etc., and that's ok, but there is one thing that has been overlooked throughout this thread and that is the tires on the truck. With 3850lb gross axle weights, that tells me that your truck has "P" type tires on it. They are determining what you can load your truck to. The last thing you need is to overload your tires. Adding spring supports etc., is not going to increase your loading ability until you look at your tires. Your rear axle is likely to be able to easily handle 5000lbs. You would need to find out from Ford or somebody in the know, what the rear axle can safely handle and work accordingly. Go to "LT" tires of the appropriate weight rating and add suspension supports as needed.

[AndrewM]

I read a rather lengthy discussion on here regarding WDHs. The engineer who started the post stated that 33-38% gets distributed back to the TT. So if I have a loaded tongue weight plus hitch of 1000#, ~667# will be applies to the trucks axles. That leaves me about 480# for my extra girth plus passengers and gear. Tight, but doable.

Is my logic correct?

[bimbert84]

For proper balancing, you need 12-15% of the trailer's total weight on the tongue. So assuming the trailer will weigh 6500# when loaded, you'll have 780-975# of tongue weight. Let's call it 900#. Figure another 100# for the hitch itself. That leaves you with about #150 for people and gear.

This is less than ideal. If you have only one passenger, you might be OK, but move everything you can out of the truck and into the trailer.

-- Rob

[rightyouareken]

AndrewM wrote:
What percentage of the tongue weight does a properly adjusted WDH put back onto the trailer axles?

I believe in my case it was about 20%. I don't have my figures handy, but that is in the ballpark. It is probably more or less offset by the weight of the hitch itself though.

[AndrewM]

What percentage of the tongue weight does a properly adjusted WDH put back onto the trailer axles?

[wandering1]

That's part of the specs, how heavy a TT is rated for? Get the specs from ford not your door frame.

[AndrewM]

Yeah it does look nice and the 93 performance tune makes it pretty quick. It's not useless for towing, just useless for towing big stuff. Tows my tandom jet ski trailer just fine!!

This TT would certainly be at the top end of what I'd try to tow. If I need to tow anything larger, I'd borrow my dad's F250 7.3.

[fla-gypsy]

It has a 6.2L gas engine and no payload making it pretty much useless for towing but I bet it is pretty and fast.

[AndrewM]

Thanks for input. Looks like I'll be right at the payload limit. I'll be sure to keep the bed empty. And I would only have one passenger with me.

[Terryallan]

Steeljag wrote:
1100 lbs of pay load? Wow that's low?

It's Harley Davidson Edition. It has EVERYTHING on it. That makes the truck heavy, and lowers the payload.

[mrkoje]

Steeljag wrote:
1100 lbs of pay load? Wow that's low?

Maybe lower then most - I know the fully loaded Dodge 1/2 tons are about the same way 1100-1200lbs payload.

[TomG2]

I have a set of Timrens for a Chevy, but not a Ford. You will likely be back on here in a few weeks asking about Timbrens, Air Bags, Supersprings, and a Super hitch if you load your tow vehicle much over your GVWR.

[rightyouareken]

It'll pull it just fine IMHO. The question will be payload since yours is fairly low. How many people and how much cargo are you planning to put in the truck? This stuff + people + tongue weight shouldn't exceed your payload rating. The 6.2 engine won't have any difficulties.