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Thread: F150 Towing?

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    F150 Towing?

    My wife and I have recently bought a Grand Design Transcend with a 7,700 GVWR and recently took a 2,500-mile trip. I would like your opinion about my F150 because I am not sure of its towing capacity is sufficient and I am considering trading for a F250 diesel. Below is a spec sheet that I put together based on the Ford towing guide (20Towing_Ford_F150_Oct15.pdf) and my actual weight measurements.
    The mileage we got varied between 4.5 (high head wind) and 10 (normal conditions). The diesel seems attractive and it gives me additional capacity for future trailers. However, I’ve never had a diesel and don’t know how much mileage will vary from the 3.5 Ecoboost. There will also be a bump in fuel cost. What are the other considerations for going with diesel?
    I found out that because of the shortage of new cars, my trade-in value is unbelievably high right now.
    2020 Ford F150 Platinum
    FX4, 3.55 Axle Ratio
    3.5L Ecoboost
    Max Tow Pkg 20” Tires

    F150 Specs:
    Front Axle Max Wt = 3,600
    Rear Axle Max Wt = 4,050

    F150 GCWR = 18,200
    F150 Max Trailer (Conventional Tow) Wt = 12,500
    -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    My data loaded for trip verified by CAT scale:
    F150 Spec Front Wt Max: 3,600 Loaded Wt: 3,200
    F150 Spec Rear Wt Max: 4,050 Loaded Wt: 3,820
    Total: 7,650 Total: 7,020

    Trailer Spec Max Wt: 7,700 Trailer Loaded Wt: 6,640
    Calculated Loaded Truck + Loaded Trailer = 7,020 (F150) + 6,640 (Trailer) = 13,660

    Summary:

    (F150 GWCR) – (Loaded Truck + Trailer) = 18,200 – 13,660 = 4,540 Underweight
    Truck Loaded Wt (7,020) is approx. 92% of Max Axle Wt (7,650)

    Cheers
    "TEXAS, the greatest Nation that became a State"

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    I've got a similar setup. Getting a F250 is in our plan as well, but for now the Ecoboost gets the job done. My concern isn't the weight capability as much as it is the lack of a long bed and added stability it would offer with our 32 ball to bumper trailer...

    Diesel does cost more but also has higher energy, so you'll get better mileage. The downside is diesels don't like short trips, and right now that's the majority of my driving.
    Last edited by Lane Hog; 04-25-2021 at 02:03 PM.

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    What do you mean about short trips?
    "TEXAS, the greatest Nation that became a State"

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    Quote Originally Posted by dugals View Post
    What do you mean about short trips?
    Trips around town to the grocery store or work if you live close by...

    Short runs (2-10 miles) won't heat up the engine enough to eliminate some of the condensation that builds up inside when you first start up. After 20-30 minutes the engine is hot enough that it evaporates.

    Sent from my SM-G981U using Tapatalk

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    Site Team Ynot4me2's Avatar
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    What those the sticker in the door of your TV say? That pdf from Ford can really be misleading.
    Steph & Lise
    2019 F150 Lariat 2.7 EB
    2020 Imagine XLS 22MLE

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    Site Team Redapple63's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Ynot4me2 View Post
    What those the sticker in the door of your TV say? That pdf from Ford can really be misleading.
    Agreed, specifically the GVWR and the Payload.


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    The TV GVWR is 7,000 and payload on the sticker is 1,528. Looks like I'm exceeding the TV GVWR by 20 lb. I don't like being on the edge of the max and that's why I'm considering a F250. I calculated our payload as about 500 lb on the last trip - driver + passenger + dog + misc. I wasn't carrying that much. I guess the weight distribution hitch contributed to the rest of the weight.
    "TEXAS, the greatest Nation that became a State"

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    Site Team Redapple63's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by dugals View Post
    The TV GVWR is 7,000 and payload on the sticker is 1,528. Looks like I'm exceeding the TV GVWR by 20 lb. I don't like being on the edge of the max and that's why I'm considering a F250. I calculated our payload as about 500 lb on the last trip - driver + passenger + dog + misc. I wasn't carrying that much. I guess the weight distribution hitch contributed to the rest of the weight.
    Your tongue weight is probably 800-950 lbs. plus the weight of the hitch and your 500lb payload for people and cargo and you are right at your limit.


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    Site Sponsor NB Canada's Avatar
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    F150 Towing?

    Quote Originally Posted by dugals View Post
    The TV GVWR is 7,000 and payload on the sticker is 1,528. Looks like I'm exceeding the TV GVWR by 20 lb. I don't like being on the edge of the max and that's why I'm considering a F250. I calculated our payload as about 500 lb on the last trip - driver + passenger + dog + misc. I wasn't carrying that much. I guess the weight distribution hitch contributed to the rest of the weight.
    It would appear to me that your trailer is overloaded which isn’t good
    Put the trailer on a diet
    Your cat scale write up is confusing plus I don’t see your truck alone
    Only going from this post I estimate your curb weight at roughly 5500 lbs
    Take that from your cat scale 13600 gross means your trailer weighs 8100 pounds 400 lbs over weight
    I wouldn’t worry about going over TV weights some but I would never want the trailer to be over
    They just are not built stout enough IMO

    Btw I find it funny that Ford advertises this “max tow” and you have 1500 lbs payload
    My 2018 Sierra crew doesn’t have such a moniker and it has 1800lbs

    On edit: I see the “platinum” on your Ford which likely accounts for your abysmal payload
    Going to the same equipped truck in a diesel 3/4 ton will be no advantage. The payload will be just as bad
    Either get a bare bones 3/4 ton diesel or a loaded up gas
    If going to a fancy truck and want diesel go straight for a 1 ton no question


    2021 Imagine 2400 BH
    2018 GMC Sierra 4x4 crews
    Last edited by NB Canada; 04-26-2021 at 03:45 AM.
    2021 Imagine 2400 BH
    2018 GMC Sierra 4x4 Crew 1840lb payload

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    Skip the F250 and go F350. The F250 PS will have a much lower payload capacity than a gas F250. Going up to a F350 will give you all the CCC you'll need and not much more money.
    Big issue is finding one for sale that you like. All the dealers near me are out of anything other than a C&C or base XL's.

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