handye9
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Re: F150 w/ 3.5L POWERboost towing experiences?
DITTO !!! On Payload Payload Payload Every truck has multiple ratings for towing, braking, tire loads, axle loads, payload, and GVWR. True towing capacity is limited to the weakest link in the overall ratings, and in most cases, the weak link is payload. If an added battery / electric motor adds to the trucks curb weight, it's going to have a lower payload. Manufacturers build their lighter vehicles, more with comfort in mind, than carrying / towing heavy loads. Keep in mind, when they say "this model is rated to tow XXXXX lbs", what they are really saying is, under prime conditions, this model can tow that XXXXX lbs. What they are not saying is, if Joe the plumber wants all the bells and whistles in his new truck, it will be to heavy to carry the tongue / pin weight from a trailer weighing XXXXX lbs. Then, when he loads up the wife, kids, and camping toys, that truck maybe so heavy it can't tow anything. That mythical "max tow weight rating" is an up to number, as is the truck's payload number. It can tow XXXXX lbs "or" it can carry XXXX lbs, not both at the same time.478Views0likes0CommentsRe: How did I do this? - Bent Ball Mount
Have bent one myself, and it was not Harbor Freight brand, it was made by Draw Tite. I forgot to remove the sway bar, prior to backing up. It not only bent the hitch head, but also snapped the small ball mount off the trailer frame. Over the years, I've installed maybe a half dozen of these sway bar kits. All of the owners manuals had a statement about removing the bar, prior to backing up.463Views0likes0CommentsRe: I've almost got this towing thing down. One more ?
SlothHorn wrote: Note: We're never going to travel with water in the tanks. We're not using a generator. And, we're only going to need, maybe, one propane tank. That seems to be a big chunk of what begins to add up for many campers. Other than clothes, food, blankets, pillows, and, maybe, bicycles, we don't expect to add much else in the way of weight. Never might be a little unrealistic. You may find it much more convenient to carry water in your fresh tank, just for using your own bathroom while on the road. That would also involve putting weight in grey, and black tanks. You may be out camping in a campground during a time when they have issues with their sewer systems (backups, broken pipes, etc), and won't let you dump your tanks (been there, done that). That leaves you no choice but to tow with tanks full. Maybe you'd like to go camping in cooler weather. That time of year, there are campgrounds who won't offer water or sewer hook ups. You'd also need multiple propane tanks. The weight adds up really fast. Average load of dishes, pots and pans, flatware, bedding, camp chairs, BBQ supplies / equipment, spare parts, tools, groceries, water, etc, is 800 to 1000 lbs. Depending on location (in relation to the trailer axles), holding tanks can have a significant impact on your tongue weight. My trailer, for example, has fresh tank behind the axles, black and grey tank above the axles, and a galley (grey) tank, all the way up front. My tongue weight is lowest (975 lbs) when my fresh tank is full, and it is highest (1225 lbs) with no fresh water and a full galley tank. This kind of fluctuation in tongue weight would not be good if you are already on the edge of your payload.287Views0likes0CommentsRe: Dodge RAM payload
Have you looked at Nissan's Titan XD ? They are bigger than the 1/2 ton regular Titan, but smaller than 3/4 tons, from the big 3. I don't know if they are still offering it, but, my 2018 came with 5 year, 100 thousand miles bumper to bumper, and lifetime power train warranty. I have an SV, crewcab, 4X4, 5.6 gas, with utility, towing, and convenience packages. The payload listed on my tire / loading sticker is 2098. A 2 wheel drive model would have about two hundred pounds more. Note: Whatever make /model you choose, the payloads go up, as the number of installed options go down. I have talked with Titan XD owners who have the diesel engine (heavier than gas engine) along with same options as I do. Their payloads are 250 lbs less than mine.362Views0likes0CommentsRe: sway
Most common causes of trailer sway (list not in any particular order). Trailer sway can be caused by any one, or a combination of two or more. Many are a simple check / fix. 1. Insufficient tongue weight. Must be minimum of ten percent of total trailer weight. 2. Towing trailer with nose up attitude. Trailer nose should be level to slightly down attitude. Maybe your hitch ball is too high. 3. Insufficient weight loss restoration on truck's front axle. When you hang the tongue weight on the hitch, the effects on the truck are like a see-saw, it adds weight to rear axle, takes weight off the front axle, and magnifies the pivot point at the hitch ball. Causes - weight distribution hitch is not rated for your tongue weight, or it is not adjusted correctly. If there is too much weight missing from front truck axles, even subconscious hand movement (could be simple as breathing) causes the trailer to wiggle on that magnified pivot point. 4. Truck is loaded beyond it's payload / GVWR. Look at your tire / loading sticker (on drivers door jamb). It will have a number for "max occupant / cargo weight". That is your truck's capacity to carry the combined weight of everything (including aftermarket accessories (bed cover / caps, bed liners, step bars, etc), added hitch / sway equipment and trailer tongue weight) and everybody that was not in it, when it left the factory. 5. Bad roads. 6. Tire sidewall flexing. If you've got (P) passenger rated tires, they are known for having softer sidewalls than a (LT) light truck tire. 7. Unbalanced / under inflated tires on truck, trailer, or both. 8. Wind. 9. Bent / misaligned trailer axles. This one is rare. Looking at your numbers (tow rating and trailer's dry weight), I suspect a weight issue. That "max tow weight rating" was calculated without passengers and cargo. They're calculation included a driver, weight distribution hitch, and the estimated tongue weight from a 7600 lb trailer, would use up all the truck's payload. If you add passengers and cargo, the truck no longer has payload to carry the tongue weight of a 7600 lb trailer and the towing capacity is reduced. Save your money, air bags won't fix that. If you've got cargo in the truck, it may help to move that to the trailer, preferably above or slightly forward of the axles. Average trailer load (dishes, pots and pans, camp chairs, clothes, bedding, BBQ equipment, groceries, water, etc) weighs 800 to 1000 lbs. Your trailer weighed 6300 when it left the factory, probably 6500 when it left the dealers lot, and fully loaded, it could weigh 75 - 7600 lbs. Tongue weight is NOT a constant number, it goes up and down during every trip. It averages 12 - 13 percent of loaded trailer weight, but can be higher. Depending on location (in relation to trailer axles), holding tanks can have a significant impact on tongue weight. I have a trailer (8300 loaded) with black / grey tanks above the axles, fresh tank behind the axles, and galley tank up front. My tongue weight can be anywhere between 975 and 1225 lbs. All depends on fluid levels in the tanks. Percentage wise I run 11.5 to 14.5 during any particular trip. True towing capacity is limited to the weakest link in the truck's overall ratings (GVWR, GCVWR, Payload, Tow Rating, axle weight, tire weight, and hitch weight). Most often the weak link is payload. Note: Your uncomfortable feeling could just be caused by being on the edge of the truck's capabilities. I've been there. I watched the weather very closely. Windy days were unpleasant, and if the weather report said breezy, I stayed off the road.247Views0likes0CommentsRe: What is included in the tow package on 2019 infinity qx80.
rival178 wrote: Looking at an 2019 infinity qx80. Do both versions (standard and tow) have the same towing capacity and payload? Matt True towing capacity is limited to the weakest link in the tow vehicle's overall ratings. In most cases, the weak link is payload. Manufacturers advertised tow ratings and payloads are both generic "up to" numbers, and the owners manuals will often say no more than "when properly equipped". You can calculate an approximate loaded trailer weight that puts the vehicle at it's max capacity by first, look at the tire / loading sticker (on driver door jamb). There will be a number for "max occupant / cargo weight" (AKA payload). Take that number and subtract the combined weight of passengers and cargo (everything you're going to stuff into the car) and 80 lbs for added hitch equipment. The remaining payload is available for carrying tongue weight from a trailer. Divide that remaining payload by .13. That will be a ball park number of what loaded trailer weight will put that tow vehicle at it's max capacity. Depending on what options are installed on the vehicle, every one of them will have a unique payload number. Note: Tongue weight is NOT a constant number. Depending on what gets loaded, where it gets loaded, grocery levels, and on board fluid levels, it goes up and down during every trip. Give yourself some wiggle room. Here's a calculator that may help. http://www.towingplanner.com/Calculators/TowingPayloadEstimate515Views0likes0CommentsRe: Help choosing something like Cougar
As you've noticed, you don't want to base your trailer search on that mythical "max tow weight" rating. Here's a list of various pieces of information that will help in your search. 1. Max tow weight ratings are calculated without passengers or cargo. That's not how we go camping. As you fill your truck with people, pets, and cargo, it's true towing capacity is going down. 2. There's a tire / loading sticker (on your drivers door jamb) that shows your particular trucks capacity to carry everything / everybody you put in it or on it. That number is listed as "max occupant / cargo weight" (AKA payload). Depending on installed options, cab size, power train, drive train, suspension, axles, tires, etc, every truck has it's own payload number. Not all F150's, F250's, Ram 1500's, Ram 2500's, GM 15 and 2500 series, etc are created equal. 3. The weight of added hitch / anti sway equipment and tongue weight from a trailer are counted as cargo weight on the truck. 4. Trailer tongue weight is NOT a constant number. It fluctuates with loading and usage during every trip. Average is 12 - 13 percent of loaded trailer weight, however, it can be higher at times. You never want your tongue weight lower than 10 percent. 5. Trailer sales people talk unloaded and gross weights on the units they sell. Neither of which is likely to be what you'll be towing. The trailer will be heavier than unloaded weight, before it gets off the dealers lot, and it's very rare for an average camper to load up to the gross weight on the trailer. Average loaded trailer weight is 800 - 1000 lbs higher than it's unloaded weight. 6. Take your payload number and subtract weight of your family, weight of your cargo, weight of aftermarket accessories (if any) added to the truck, and 100 lbs for hitch equipment. Whatever is left over is payload available to carry trailer tongue weight. If you divide that available payload by .13, that will give you a ball park figure of what "loaded" trailer weight will put your truck at or near it's max weight. That loaded trailer weight could be considerably lower than your "max tow weight" rating. Note: Closer you get to max weight or over weight, the more unstable / unpleasant you towing will be. Give yourself some cushion.526Views0likes0CommentsRe: Newbie here with a towing question
When manufacturers calculate "max towing capacity", they do it without aftermarket accessories, passengers, or cargo. They also advertised that max tow weight with two key words, often missed by consumers. Those words are "UP TO". RV manufacturers are also guilty of advertising misleading information. They advertise trailers with their unloaded (dry) weights, along with some low hitch / tongue weights. Some of those hitch / tongue weights don't include a battery or propane, both of which add weight directly onto the tongue. They also don't tell you, tongue weight is not a constant number. It goes up and down during every trip. Your estimate of 500 lbs for stuff loaded in the trailer, could be a bit on the low side. Just filling a 30 gallon fresh water tank, adds 240 lbs. If you got in a situation where you had to tow with full black / grey tanks, you would have 500+ lbs right there. The average load (dishes, flatware, pots and pans, bedding, camp chairs, BBQ equipment, flashlights, batteries, groceries, water, etc) is about 1000 lbs. Average tongue weight runs 12 -13 percent of loaded trailer weight. Some trailers, based on their floor plan, or how you load it, can be a little higher. On your tire / loading sticker (on drivers door jamb), there is a number for "max occupant / cargo weight" (AKA payload). That is the truck's capacity to carry everything and everybody you put into, or onto the truck. The weight of added hitch equipment and trailer tongue weight are counted as cargo weight, on the truck. Any aftermarket accessories, you may have added to the truck, are counted as cargo weight. With these numbers and percentages, you can calculate how that trailer matches up with your truck. Take your payload number and subtract 100 lbs for hitch equipment, subtract you family weight, subtract aftermarket accessory weight (if you have any), and subtract any cargo that you would be carrying in the truck. Whatever is left over, is payload available for carrying tongue weight. If you divide that available payload by .13, that will give you a ball park number of what loaded trailer weight would put your truck at it's max capacity. Give yourself some wiggle room. Allow for those tongue weight fluctuations and the possible unexpected guest or cargo. The closer you are to going over weight, the more unpleasant your towing will be. You're looking at a trailer that will be close to 6000 lbs when it is ready to camp. Does it fit with your set up, only you can make that call. Do some of these calculations, and see where it falls.292Views0likes0CommentsRe: Please help me check my capacity math
bshack wrote: Here is my TT: https://www.rvusa.com/rv-guide/2017-keystone-bullet-travel-trailer-floorplan-243bhs-tr29959 My truck: 2020 Toyota Tundra SR5 CrewMax w/5.7 V8 5.5ft bed https://www.toyota.com/tundra/features/weights_capacities/8261/8272/8275 CAT scale weight - 5860lbs total or 3320lb steer and 2540lb drive Tire loading sticker - max occupant + cargo 1270lb GVWR - 7200lb Hitch: Equalizer anti sway and weight distribution hitch I looked at specs on that trailer. 555 lbs is "dry" hitch weight. 4685 is unloaded trailer weight. 6500 is GVWR of the trailer. Here are some things you're missing: Average load of dishes, pots and pans, bedding, camp chairs, BBQ equipment, groceries , water, etc is 800 to 1000 lbs. That would make the trailer's loaded weight about 5685 lbs. More, if you're carrying bikes and toys. You should plan for trailers GVWR of 6500. Average tongue weight is 12 to 13 percent of loaded trailer weight, and it is not a constant number. Tongue weight fluctuates during every trip. A weight distributing hitch weight 80 to 110 lbs. The weight of your weight distributing hitch and loaded tongue weight are counted as cargo weight in the truck. Thirteen percent of 6500 (trailer's GVWR) is 845 lbs. Plus a WDH, would mean the trailer needs to use at lest 945 lbs of your payload. 1270 payload minus 945 tongue / hitch weight = 325 lbs available to carry passengers, luggage, car seats, cargo, etc. The closer you get to going over max weight, the more unstable / unpleasant your towing will be.429Views0likes0Comments
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