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2011 Ford F150 towing capabilities

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riverrat69
Reg. Apr 2007
Posted 2011-04-20 7:33 PM (#133266)
Subject: 2011 Ford F150 towing capabilities


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Location: Wright City, Mo

I'm currently trying to sell a 1998 4Star 2 horse GN(http://www.horsetrailerworld.com/home/trailerdetail.asp?ID=307060) I have a lady who is interested in it, but she wants to know exactly how much it weighs. She recently purchased a 2011 F150 with the big new engine and the complete towing package including integrated trailer brake. The towing capacity on the truck is rated at 11,000lbs. and the GVWR on the trailer is 8350lbs. How do I convince her that the total weight of the trailer and everything in it including horses has to be below 8350lbs. This gives her an additional 2650lbs of towing capacity. 

Will she be safe towing this trailer or should I just tell her that maybe this trailer is to heavy for her new truck.

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Painted Horse
Reg. May 2005
Posted 2011-04-20 8:00 PM (#133271 - in reply to #133266)
Subject: RE: 2011 Ford F150 towing capabilities



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She will have to make the decision of whether the new truck can handle that kind of load.  They keep improving the load ratings on the new trucks.  I guess by the specs she should be fine.  My biggest concern is not the total weight but rather the PIN weight of the loaded trailer.  She will probably exceed the load capacity of the rear axle before she exceeds the GCVW.

For your part.  take a picture of the mfg plate showing the trailers Gross weight, Maybe run it across a scale and get a weight ticket that you can give her showing the empty weight of the trailer. then the decision is in her ball court.

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PaulChristenson
Reg. Jan 2007
Posted 2011-04-20 10:35 PM (#133277 - in reply to #133266)
Subject: RE: 2011 Ford F150 towing capabilities


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Originally written by riverrat69 on 2011-04-20 7:33 PM

I'm currently trying to sell a 1998 4Star 2 horse GN(http://www.horsetrailerworld.com/home/trailerdetail.asp?ID=307060) I have a lady who is interested in it, but she wants to know exactly how much it weighs. She recently purchased a 2011 F150 with the big new engine and the complete towing package including integrated trailer brake. The towing capacity on the truck is rated at 11,000lbs. and the GVWR on the trailer is 8350lbs. How do I convince her that the total weight of the trailer and everything in it including horses has to be below 8350lbs. This gives her an additional 2650lbs of towing capacity. 

Will she be safe towing this trailer or should I just tell her that maybe this trailer is to heavy for her new truck.

You do NOT want to be the one that convinces her, because if anything bad happens she will be back with a lawyer...as was stated show her the trailer data...get a certified scale weight of the trailer empty and let HER make the decision...
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riverrat69
Reg. Apr 2007
Posted 2011-04-21 4:38 AM (#133284 - in reply to #133266)
Subject: RE: 2011 Ford F150 towing capabilities


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Your right Paul, maybe convince was not the right way to phrase my sentence. I'm pretty sure that her new truck will be capable of towing the trailer. We have friends who pull the exact trailer with an older Chevy 1500 and they haul all over the Midwest. 

I guess I'm just going to have to bite the bullet, hookup and take a run to the nearest truck stop. Have it weighed and then I will have that info for anyone who has interest in it. I've nevered worried about the weight, because we tow with an 2008 F350 Dually.

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PaulChristenson
Reg. Jan 2007
Posted 2011-04-21 1:47 PM (#133298 - in reply to #133284)
Subject: RE: 2011 Ford F150 towing capabilities


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Originally written by riverrat69 on 2011-04-21 4:38 AM

Your right Paul, maybe convince was not the right way to phrase my sentence. I'm pretty sure that her new truck will be capable of towing the trailer. We have friends who pull the exact trailer with an older Chevy 1500 and they haul all over the Midwest. 

I guess I'm just going to have to bite the bullet, hookup and take a run to the nearest truck stop. Have it weighed and then I will have that info for anyone who has interest in it. I've nevered worried about the weight, because we tow with an 2008 F350 Dually.

Hey...any reason to hook up a horse trailer is better than none...
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geraldbaker
Reg. Jun 2011
Posted 2011-06-15 9:11 PM (#134885 - in reply to #133266)
Subject: RE: 2011 Ford F150 towing capabilities


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I think that would be safe for her man... The more powerful the truck is the better. She wouldn't ask for the towing capabilities of your Ford if she doesn't need it. To convince her to buy your car, you should amaze her with that towing capability. Just simply say that my F150 has Ford F150 parts that exceeded the towing capacity that you need.
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Reg
Reg. Oct 2003
Posted 2011-06-18 9:09 PM (#134955 - in reply to #133266)
Subject: RE: 2011 Ford F150 towing capabilities


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Originally written by riverrat69 on 2011-04-20 7:33 PM

I'm currently trying to sell a 1998 4Star 2 horse GN(http://www.horsetrailerworld.com/home/trailerdetail.asp?ID=307060) I have a lady who is interested in it, but she wants to know exactly how much it weighs. She recently purchased a 2011 F150 with the big new engine and the complete towing package including integrated trailer brake. The towing capacity on the truck is rated at 11,000lbs. and the GVWR on the trailer is 8350lbs. How do I convince her that the total weight of the trailer and everything in it including horses has to be below 8350lbs. This gives her an additional 2650lbs of towing capacity. 

Will she be safe towing this trailer or should I just tell her that maybe this trailer is to heavy for her new truck.



SOMEHOW convince her that the trailer weighs about 4,000 lbs and two horses are very unlikely to weigh anywhere near 4350.
Since this should be an easy first step, segue into explaining that the 4350 includes tack, water, hay, etc.

Then that 2650 lb margin for the truck's tow capacity... ???
I would avoid mention of it, there is already enough to deal with.
This will only add confusion and it sounds like you have enough of that already.
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Reg
Reg. Oct 2003
Posted 2011-06-18 9:19 PM (#134956 - in reply to #133266)
Subject: RE: 2011 Ford F150 towing capabilities


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Somehow cropped from the bottom of my last message;

=================================================================
Payload might be an issue.
What percentage of 8350 lbs can the little Ferd "carry" over its rear axle ?

THAT might take you some effort to convince her.
Heck, it would take some effort to convince ME (-:

They have some different load rating RPOs, basically tire and spring option packages.
To know for sure you would need to know which of those are actually on HER truck.

THEN the whole conversation is about HER weight and everything else that goes IN the truck, not just BEHIND it.


Edited by Reg 2011-06-18 9:21 PM
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Pete's My QH
Reg. May 2011
Posted 2011-06-19 3:35 PM (#134962 - in reply to #133266)
Subject: RE: 2011 Ford F150 towing capabilities


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We have a '07 Ford f150. We were looking at a 2h slant gooseneck (either all alum or alum skin..I can't remember). We decided AGAINST because it would be TOO HEAVY with it loaded, and something about you couldn't find a gooseneck hitch hookup for the f150's...no one carried them since they aren't supposed to be pulling something like that. We ended up bying a 2h slant ALL ALUMINUM bumper pull. And it's pretty hard on our f150 pulling two horses. Thankfully it's pretty flat here, but in the hills/mountainous regions...It's KILLER.
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Pete's My QH
Reg. May 2011
Posted 2011-06-19 3:40 PM (#134963 - in reply to #134962)
Subject: RE: 2011 Ford F150 towing capabilities


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Originally written by Pete's My QH on 2011-06-19 4:35 PM

We have a '07 Ford f150. We were looking at a 2h slant gooseneck (either all alum or alum skin..I can't remember). We decided AGAINST because it would be TOO HEAVY with it loaded, and something about you couldn't find a gooseneck hitch hookup for the f150's...no one carried them since they aren't supposed to be pulling something like that. We ended up bying a 2h slant ALL ALUMINUM bumper pull. And it's pretty hard on our f150 pulling two horses. Thankfully it's pretty flat here, but in the hills/mountainous regions...It's KILLER.

(was gonna be an edit, but I couldn't get it all out in 3mins lol)

I understand it's the "new" f150, and it's not always the concern of being able to pull it weight wise..it's also a huge concern if you can STOP it. lol Imo, an f150 is NOT a pulling truck, more of a cool drive around town. If I could, I'd trade it in for something bigger...but that won't happen for a long time.

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Reg
Reg. Oct 2003
Posted 2011-06-19 4:51 PM (#134967 - in reply to #134963)
Subject: RE: 2011 Ford F150 towing capabilities


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Originally written by Pete's My QH on 2011-06-19 3:40 PM

Originally written by Pete's My QH on 2011-06-19 4:35 PM

We have a '07 Ford f150. We were looking at a 2h slant gooseneck (either all alum or alum skin..I can't remember). We decided AGAINST because it would be TOO HEAVY with it loaded, and something about you couldn't find a gooseneck hitch hookup for the f150's...no one carried them since they aren't supposed to be pulling something like that. We ended up bying a 2h slant ALL ALUMINUM bumper pull. And it's pretty hard on our f150 pulling two horses. Thankfully it's pretty flat here, but in the hills/mountainous regions...It's KILLER.

(was gonna be an edit, but I couldn't get it all out in 3mins lol)

I understand it's the "new" f150, and it's not always the concern of being able to pull it weight wise..it's also a huge concern if you can STOP it. lol Imo, an f150 is NOT a pulling truck, more of a cool drive around town. If I could, I'd trade it in for something bigger...but that won't happen for a long time.



Please pardon me if this seems like a pet rant.
There should NOT be a concern with what the truck can stop (/slow).
The trailer's brakes should be doing very nearly ALL the work of slowing/stopping the trailer.
I will agree that ABS gives a truck better braking in emergency stops, but for all normal braking the truck should be slowing only its own mass and the trailer its own mass.

That said, there is often a lag between the introduction of a new truck model "series" and accessories (such as hitches) to fit it, i.e. if there is a new/different frame and underguts.
It takes a while for the hitch manufacturers to figure out what, if any, changes need to be made to their products - and then tool up for that.
It might mean a few more holes, maybe a slightly different shape here or there, it is always NICE if they can come up with a few small changes and have it be backwards compatible to the previous model(s) truck.
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Flicka123
Reg. Dec 2010
Posted 2011-06-19 8:34 PM (#134976 - in reply to #133266)
Subject: RE: 2011 Ford F150 towing capabilities


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I own a 2010 F150 with a V8 engine. I am pulling a two horse Sundowner 777 straightload. I added Timberens to the suspension which helped the ride. And yes, B&W makes a turnover ball hitch for the F150, I have one in my truck. So far, I have not had any issues pulling this rig with my truck, or stopping it for that matter.I'd weigh your trailer, then let the lady make her own decision on whether her new truck will handle it. Her dealer should be able to give her the info on towing capacity for that truck.

Edited by Flicka123 2011-06-19 8:37 PM
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gard
Reg. Aug 2007
Posted 2011-06-19 10:10 PM (#134980 - in reply to #133266)
Subject: RE: 2011 Ford F150 towing capabilities


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Location: western PA

Ford and most half ton trucks do pretty well pulling BP trailers, if they are properly set up with a towing package. The extra coolers and lower gear ratios help with their overall capabilities and long term durability. The problem with the domestic half ton trucks and foreign alike, is when a GN trailer is involved. A 25% pin weight on a DR trailer can easily turn into a 35-40% pin weight with a LQ. A fully loaded, large dressing room, can exceed the weight of a horse.

While the trucks may be able to pull the advertised rates, they usually don't have enough suspension, axle and tires, to safely carry the larger percentage of the heavier loads.

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Reg
Reg. Oct 2003
Posted 2011-06-20 5:25 AM (#134982 - in reply to #133266)
Subject: RE: 2011 Ford F150 towing capabilities


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If you read the ad for the trailer in question (I did) you will see that it is NOT one with a "tile, marble and appliances" camper section, it is described and shown as a dressing room.
From that one could do some arithmetic; such as coupler to front edge of floor is close to the (more or less standard) 8 ft 6 in., the dressing room floor is a little over 5 ft. on its center line, so there is 13 1/2 ft between the coupler and anywhere that substantial weight (Horses) would be.

The pictures (I even looked at ALL of those) show a very bare dressing area with nothing but a blanket bar and brindle hooks, not even a lined/insulated roof.
If the next owner were to fit it out with a 200 gallon water tank directly over the coupler, that would be a problem of their own making.
I think for THIS trailer the load on the coupler is likely to be a LOW percentage of total trailer weight, i.e. this is nowhere near a worst case of payload overload - it may be close to a best case.

There is still the question/issue of how to assure potential purchasers that their vehicle can a) tow it and b) "carry" the front of it.
My suggestion is that you weigh the truck and the trailer separately (one on the scale at a time) "as used", then weigh your truck without the trailer.
The net increase in the weight of your truck represents the payload that the truck carries.

I think this parameter is the most important one with which to assure potential purchasers that they "have enough truck for it".
Have your scale tickets ready to show if questioned (-:

Anyway...
NICE trailer, FAIR price.
I would be half inclined to not bother with this particular buyer, THAT trailer should sell without much "supporting data".

=========================================================================
This may seem picky, but my own truck has the goose ball almost a foot ahead of the rear axle center line, i.e. the rear axle doesn't bear ALL the trailer load, the front axle carries some of it.


Edited by Reg 2011-06-20 5:27 AM
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gard
Reg. Aug 2007
Posted 2011-06-20 6:26 AM (#134984 - in reply to #133266)
Subject: RE: 2011 Ford F150 towing capabilities


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Reg. if you reread my reply, you will see that I didn't mention any particular trailer/truck combination. My thread was a generality in response to the many people, who constantly ask "what can I tow with my truck?".

I attempted to show that one trailer's pin weight, can vary considerably from another, not only from brand to brand, but within the same company as well. The owner's personal loading of a DR can drastically change the total weight on a hitch. For example, 200 gallons of water in an empty DR, can easily exceed the weight carrying capability of a light weight truck, with its ~1600# of additional loading. Add to that tack, feed, gear and and the trailer, and you've easily exceeded the safe capacity of the truck. As I previously posted, these additional loads can exceed the actual weight of an additional horse.

As you know, most GN trailers usually have their axles further aft on the frames, placing a higher tongue weight on the hitch, than will many bumper pull models. Some 2H ST load BP trailers also have the axles well aft, which results in a higher ball weight, necessitating a hitch equalized system. However, many 3H BP trailers allow for a more balanced loading, and a lighter weight on the hitch. There are many variables, and it behooves the truck owner, to know the structural differences before making a purchase.

As you point out, knowing the actual pin weights is the only proper way to determine the suitability of the towing vehicle. My point is to show that half ton truck owners are limited in their choices of GN trailers. Their trucks' ability to tow a trailer, is rarely equal to the advertised towing weights.

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