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  1. #1
    Long Hauler howson's Avatar
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    How To Determine Your Truck's Trailer Towing Capability

    <EDIT> For those that may be confused by my sig pic--when this was written I had 2017 F-250 Platinum w/6.7L diesel. As you can see by the pic I added to this thread at the bottom, I ended up with a feature-for-feature duplicate of my previous truck except it's a 350 DRW!

    IMPORTANT: The hitch and pin weights on Grand Design's website (listed under Specifications) is less than what you'll experience in the real-world. For planning purposes, use 15% of a bumper-pull trailer's GVWR as a worst-case scenario for hitch weight. For a 5th Wheel use 25% to determine worst-case pin weight. (These numbers are from the towingplanner.com website referenced below.) The actual weight of your trailer's hitch or pin will probably be less, but if your truck can handle the worst-case scenario you'll be good!

    If you're considering a Reflection or Solitude 5th wheel this thread by @CWSWine has pin weight estimates: https://www.mygrandrv.com/fo...ng-Tow-Planner

    FORUM THREADS
    There are many, many threads on the topic of payload in the archives. This one, IMHO, is one of the better covering almost every angle of the discussion. https://www.mygrandrv.com/fo...Payload-Limits

    TRUCK PAYLOAD INFORMATION
    See this thread for an extensive list of trucks with real-world payload figures: https://www.mygrandrv.com/fo...ad-Information

    CALCULATORS
    I wish my salesman had taken the time to go through this checklist with me prior to purchasing a F-250. The attached worksheet from Ford shows how to determine what you need.

    Ford's PDF Worksheet: Click image for larger version. 

Name:	Towing-Capability-Calculator-for-F-Series-Trucks-in-Stock (1).pdf 
Views:	1947 
Size:	1.32 MB 
ID:	10984

    An excel spreadsheet by Marc from Keep Your Daydream is available at their website. Thanks to @Coheeba:http://www.keepyourdaydream.com/payload/

    Our very own @jim1521, aka "Momentum Rider", created a detailed spreadsheet (moved here from another thread with his permission): Trailer Loading v1.xlsx

    WEBSITES
    http://towingplanner.com/

    https://www.huskytow.com/towing-calculator/ (link provided by @Thunderbucket)

    http://changingears.com/rv-sec-tow-vehicle-sizing.shtml

    https://catscale.com/ All you ever wanted to know about CAT scales. (Link provided by site sponsor @SouthTX.)

    If you're considering towing with a 1/2 ton truck, read this blog entry by forum member @Thorvald: https://www.mygrandrv.com/fo...s-with-example

    www.fifthwheelst.com This website has a lot of information. There are many references to the app RV Tow Check (not free). Link to website provided by @xrated.

    VIDEOS
    A video on the subject by the Keep Your Daydream duo (link originally provided by Emily Stahley from GD): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qwFLOBrADBs

    Another video on the topic (link provided by @CWSWine) put out by RV Safety: https://rvsafety.com/rv-education/ma...ks-to-trailers

    The first 12 minutes of this video by Changing Lanes! on Youtube (another shoutout to @CWSWine for the link) is recommended for those considering a 5th Wheel: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=87runDszXLQ&t=574s

    APPS
    https://rvtowcheck.com/ (This is not free.) Link from a post by site sponsor @yattr0

    Considering a Travel Trailer? Understand Your TV's Hitch Ratings (Thread by @TucsonJim)
    https://www.mygrandrv.com/fo...-Hitch-Ratings

    Why are all this information?
    Because I am a Charter Member of @SouthTx's TwoTimeTV Club!

    Last edited by howson; 03-17-2019 at 12:21 PM.
    2017 Ford F-350 DRW 6.7L Platinum
    2019 315RLTS (purchased 16 Jul 18 from Campers Inn RV in Byron, GA)

  2. #2
    Seasoned Camper wstcoaster07's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by howson View Post
    I sure wish my salesman had taken the time to go through this checklist with me prior to purchasing a F-250. I now (too late) realize I need at least a Ford F-350 SRW. The attached worksheet from Ford shows how to determine what you need.

    Click image for larger version. 

Name:	Towing-Capability-Calculator-for-F-Series-Trucks-in-Stock (1).pdf 
Views:	1947 
Size:	1.32 MB 
ID:	10984

    Another resource is http://towingplanner.com/
    It's unfortunate they didn't take or fully understand your requirements for the truck. My dad has a Dodge Ram 1500 and was asking me to look for a 5th wheel for him. He was very surprised and not too happy when I told him (after seeing his door stickers) that his 1500 had less payload capacity then our expedition and that I don't think he would find a 5th wheel with a pin weight of less than 1100#s, or even close (his payload is only 1370). He is now in the same boat of realizing he needs a bigger truck if he wants to buy a 5th wheel. Even worse is when he called the dealer about it they recommended he upgrade to a 3/4. I told him that while he MAY be able to get away with it safely it won't leave him much wiggle room when he wants to get anything bigger.
    Of course he also mentioned how a buddy down the street told him his 1500 would have no trouble towing it. I told him even if the engine could pull one he would be walking a very dangerous and possibly deadly line towing well outside of his listed limits on his door panel based on axle ratings, braking capability, etc.
    2019 2800BH
    BlueOx Swaypro BXW1500
    2017 Expedition EL XLT w/heavy duty tow package w/ Michelin Defender LTX LT275/65/18

  3. #3
    Site Team WhittleBurner's Avatar
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    That chart should be given to every truck buyer, especially the first timers towing . There is so much info out there, doing homework is the most important step when buying to tow.

    I don't think anyone should take advice from 98% of sales people, I have found that most times they just say anything to make the sales.
    Like trailer sales...sure you can tow that 20,000 lb trailer with your Ford Ranger lol
    Not long ago we looked at duallies and the sales man knew far less about the trucks than I did. Seemed all he wanted to do was sell it by the looks not the capabilities and tried to build it up like he was Tim the tool man. I was waiting for him to start grunting. The first Ain't she a pretty truck lost the sale... advice to a sales man...don't try and sell a woman a truck and call it a she LOL
    Marcy & Gary
    2014 Grand Design - Reflection 303RLS
    2022 GMC 3500 Denali Duramax Longbed SRW
    2015 GMC Denali 3500 - Retired
    2003 F350 - retired
    Michigan
    We're in trouble now, the dog are bloggin'!
    https://3dogsandatrailer.wordpress.com/


  4. #4
    Setting Up Camp
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    Hay Howson, I tried to use both of these calculators but it doesn't seem to be working out. The "Towing-Capability-Calculator... won't allow me to fill in anything in step 4 except the GCWR. And there doesn't look like there's a way to get an answer from my inputs anyway. I'm sure Im doing this wrong.... I just realized I'm filling in these fields into a PDF. Thats probably why its not calculating. Still trying......

    Thank you for the suggestion. Its more help than I got from the local dealer.

  5. #5
    Setting Up Camp GLSchmidt's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by CoconutJoe View Post
    Hay Howson, I tried to use both of these calculators but it doesn't seem to be working out. The "Towing-Capability-Calculator... won't allow me to fill in anything in step 4 except the GCWR. And there doesn't look like there's a way to get an answer from my inputs anyway. I'm sure Im doing this wrong.... I just realized I'm filling in these fields into a PDF. Thats probably why its not calculating. Still trying......

    Thank you for the suggestion. Its more help than I got from the local dealer.
    You might try the spreadsheet that Marc from Keep Your Daydream put together. It's pretty easy to use and should give you all of the important information to determine how much margin you have for towing. You can get the spreadsheet from their website: http://www.keepyourdaydream.com/payload/
    Gary & Lisa

    2018 Reflection 150 Series 295RL
    Reese Elite 18k hitch
    2010 Dodge Ram 2500 5.7L Hemi, 4.10
    [SIGPIC][/SIGPIC]

  6. #6
    Left The Driveway
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    Quote Originally Posted by howson View Post
    I sure wish my salesman had taken the time to go through this checklist with me prior to purchasing a F-250. I now (too late) realize I need at least a Ford F-350 SRW. The attached worksheet from Ford shows how to determine what you need.

    Click image for larger version. 

Name:	Towing-Capability-Calculator-for-F-Series-Trucks-in-Stock (1).pdf 
Views:	1947 
Size:	1.32 MB 
ID:	10984

    Another resource is http://towingplanner.com/
    Thanks for post (above )for the many of us who's numbers have left us more confused. Both are great finds for me, and have made me realize just how far off I was on everything I calculated. Good Job !

  7. #7
    Seasoned Camper
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    I'm simply amazed how many people buy the wrong truck. You must have plenty of money.

    Sent from my SM-G955U using Tapatalk

  8. #8
    Left The Driveway
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    I worked 36 yrs offshore drilling oil wells and have retired. Not a lot of money, but sure not leaving any for my kids. So, gonna buy what I want while it last.

  9. #9
    Long Hauler howson's Avatar
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    This thread has morphed over the months as more and more resources are added to my original post. I've changed the title to better reflect the content and organized the links. The purpose of this post is to let you know so you'll take a look (at post #1 ) so you're aware of what is here.

    As the regulars here on this forum know, this is a favorite topic of mine since I learned the hard way. My hope is this thread saves someone from making the same mistake.
    2017 Ford F-350 DRW 6.7L Platinum
    2019 315RLTS (purchased 16 Jul 18 from Campers Inn RV in Byron, GA)

  10. #10
    Seasoned Camper
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    I have a 2002 F-350 diesel SRW crew cab long bed 4X4....the salesman at Lazy Days said I could tow anything on the lot. When I did the research I found I could actually tow only a fairly light trailer, just the diesel engine, 4X4, crew cab and camper shell eat up a lot of my payload. After loading the truck with people and gear, fuel, I only have 1,040 lbs of payload left! Fortunately we are only interested in a small TT at this point but it just shows how much people assume, and don't really know. I have been a mechanically inclined guy all my life and do all my own work, never had a clue about weights though till I did the research. Course the new Superduty trucks have bigger numbers but in 2002 9,900 was it for the SRW 1 ton trucks.

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