towing capacity
#1
02-18-2008, 07:28 PM
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#2
02-19-2008, 06:34 AM
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I think it would be broken down like this:
SuperCrew 5.4L, 3.73 4x2 = 9,500 lbs
..............................4x4 = 9,300 lbs
Subtract 500 lbs towing capacity if you have the factory 18" or 20" rims.
That is the maximum towing capacity, but many, many other factors will come into play. You will need to make sure that the trailer loaded as it will be for the weekend (or whatever use it will have) does not exceed the maximum towing capacity, overload the truck's GVWR (Gross vehicle weight rating), or exceed the weight ratings on the axles, tires or hitch. The SuperCrew is a fairly heavy truck, and by the time you add gear to the bed and passengers in the cab you are limited on how much extra weight is left before you overload an axle, tire or exceed the GVWR. Here are some tips from me (and other members will probably agree, and add to the list as well).
1). Weigh your truck with fuel, cargo loaded as it will be durring towing, and passengers in place. -- This allows you to see where your truck is at in relation to the GVWR and axle and tire ratings.
2). Based on the information you learned in step 1, look for specs on a particular trailer and calculate what effect the trailer will have on the truck. Certain trailers are heavier on the nose than others, and this will change how it affects your pickup's axle, tire and GVWR as well as let you know where it is at in relation to the hitch's tow rating.
3). Trailer brakes and a brake controller such as the Prodigy are a must for towing over 3,500 lbs.
4). A weight distributing hitch and trailer sway control are good ways to tow larger trailers, as it re-distributes weight onto the trailer, thus lessening the weight beared by your truck. Trailer sway control is nice with flat sided trailers since they catch a lot of cross-wind and wind blast from other vehicles.
5). Safe towing practices are important. There is no need to tow at 70+ mph... you'll get there when you get there. If your truck is hunting for a gear or constantly shifting, take charge and select the best gear for the situation... if it needs to be in 2nd gear, pull the shifter into 2nd gear. Leave yourself extra space for stopping, accelerating, turning and any other maneuver that you feel needs extra space. Planning ahead, and scanning the roadway is a must. Your truck will get less gas mileage while towing, so make sure you plan to fillup sooner and more frequently. If your trailer exceeds the width of the truck you will need to extend your mirrors out to the same width if you have towing mirrors, or clamp on a set of towing mirrors to compensate.
This is all basically common sense stuff, but it is always good to review. Without knowing your exact truck, it is tough to say how much trailer you can handle.
SuperCrew 5.4L, 3.73 4x2 = 9,500 lbs
..............................4x4 = 9,300 lbs
Subtract 500 lbs towing capacity if you have the factory 18" or 20" rims.
That is the maximum towing capacity, but many, many other factors will come into play. You will need to make sure that the trailer loaded as it will be for the weekend (or whatever use it will have) does not exceed the maximum towing capacity, overload the truck's GVWR (Gross vehicle weight rating), or exceed the weight ratings on the axles, tires or hitch. The SuperCrew is a fairly heavy truck, and by the time you add gear to the bed and passengers in the cab you are limited on how much extra weight is left before you overload an axle, tire or exceed the GVWR. Here are some tips from me (and other members will probably agree, and add to the list as well).
1). Weigh your truck with fuel, cargo loaded as it will be durring towing, and passengers in place. -- This allows you to see where your truck is at in relation to the GVWR and axle and tire ratings.
2). Based on the information you learned in step 1, look for specs on a particular trailer and calculate what effect the trailer will have on the truck. Certain trailers are heavier on the nose than others, and this will change how it affects your pickup's axle, tire and GVWR as well as let you know where it is at in relation to the hitch's tow rating.
3). Trailer brakes and a brake controller such as the Prodigy are a must for towing over 3,500 lbs.
4). A weight distributing hitch and trailer sway control are good ways to tow larger trailers, as it re-distributes weight onto the trailer, thus lessening the weight beared by your truck. Trailer sway control is nice with flat sided trailers since they catch a lot of cross-wind and wind blast from other vehicles.
5). Safe towing practices are important. There is no need to tow at 70+ mph... you'll get there when you get there. If your truck is hunting for a gear or constantly shifting, take charge and select the best gear for the situation... if it needs to be in 2nd gear, pull the shifter into 2nd gear. Leave yourself extra space for stopping, accelerating, turning and any other maneuver that you feel needs extra space. Planning ahead, and scanning the roadway is a must. Your truck will get less gas mileage while towing, so make sure you plan to fillup sooner and more frequently. If your trailer exceeds the width of the truck you will need to extend your mirrors out to the same width if you have towing mirrors, or clamp on a set of towing mirrors to compensate.
This is all basically common sense stuff, but it is always good to review. Without knowing your exact truck, it is tough to say how much trailer you can handle.
Last edited by Tornadom; 02-19-2008 at 06:42 AM.
#3
02-19-2008, 08:50 AM
Most people are happy if they keep the weight under 6000 pounds for 1/2 ton trucks. Despite Ford's theoretical tow rating, most trailers will have more tounge weight that will quickly hit the GWVR of your truck way before max trialer weight. For example, 6000 pounds trailer with 15% tounge weight = 900 pounds on your truck. Then, you, wife, kids = 500 pounds. That leaves 100 pounds of cargo capacity in the bed before hitting trucks' GVWR, on a trailer than is 3000 pounds under "tow rating." When shopping for a trailer, keep the UVWR (unloaded vehicle weight rating) under 5000 pounds and you'll be happy in the 6000-6500 pound loaded range.