QuestionHi Shayne,
This will be my final question to you good friend. The camper trailer wieght information that I will be towing is, 6,000 lb GVWR, 4124 lb Minus UVW, 300 lb minus fresh water weight of 36 gallons, 59 lb minus propane weight of 14 gallons. 1517 lb = CCC for this trailer. With propane and water tank full what type of wieght distributing equipment would you recomend for me to have installed on my Ford F-150? (and yes it is a XLT 145" wheelbase stylesid)
Thanks again for the all the help Shayne. :)
-------------------------------------------
The text above is a follow-up to ...
-----Question-----
Ha Shayne, thanks for all the help. Here is all my truck info.
2006 F-150 4X4 Supercab XLT, 5.4L FFV V8 Engine, 4-speed auto transmission, 3.55 ratio limited slip axle. Window sticker says 7200# GVWR package, Tow and Go. It has a frame mount hitch with electric brakes system hooked up already.
Sticker on the towing hitch says. Hitch type: Weight distributing, Max Gross Trailor WT (LB): 9,000, Max Tongue WT (LB): 990, Weight carrying, Max Gross Trailor WT(LB): 5,000, Max Tongue WT(LB): 500. Then a square with a V-5 in it on sticker.
I hope this is enough information for you to help me, Thanxs Shayne.
-------------------------------------------
The text above is a follow-up to ...
-----Question-----
So my F-150 could pull 6k lbs if properly equipted with the right set up? I will keep doing my homework thanxs for the site info.
-------------------------------------------
The text above is a follow-up to ...
-----Question-----
Dear Shanyne,
I own a Ford F-150 series pickup with a 5.4 leter triton. I also own a 6000 lbs. camper trailor that i would like to tow across the U.S.. I would like to know a good afforable setup that I could use to towe my camper with. All i have is my electric brakes setup and a standard ball and hitch. Are sway bars a good idea to have?
-----Answer-----
Rodneney,
Most sway control devices are next to useless.
Weight distribution systems (not to be confused with sway bars) are a whole other story. I would not tow that large of a trailer across the state, let alone the country, without proper weight distribution.
In fact, if you check your hitch it is quite likely rated to 5,000 lbs weight carrying capacity. (There are some made for the F-150 with a 6k capacity). This means that without weight distribution you cannot legally or safely tow this trailer. (Check out Hiddenhitch.com and click on "Products" then "Weight Distribution" for more info.)
Be sure to have the system setup by a professional and have them teach you how to set it up as you will need to make adjustments based on load in the trailer. If they don't ask the tongue weight of the trailer, don't weigh it themselves or say that any kit will work for your trailer, say "Thank you for your time." and leave. The system needs to be selected and setup for your particular truck and trailer combination. Also, beware of heads that are welded to the shank. They cannot be adjusted and are worth scrap value if you ever change trailers or trucks.
Good luck,
Shayne Peterson
MobileHitch
http://www.mobilehitch.ca/
-----Answer-----
Rodney,
To say for sure that you truck is rated to tow 6,000 lbs, I would need to know a bit more about the truck.
eg. Year, Cab, Transmission, Rear End Gearing, 2 or 4 wheel drive.
With ALL of the above, I can get you an exact Ford tow rating.
Good luck,
Shayne Peterson
MobileHitch
http://www.mobilehitch.ca/
-----Answer-----
Rodney,
Okay... here goes.
I missed asking the bed length or wheelbase. The 7200# GVW tells me it should be a 6' bed, on a 144.5" wheelbase. This puts the truck at 8,300 lbs maximum trailer weight and 14,000 lbs gross combined weight (truck and trailer together). The truck only weighs 5500 lbs completely empty so you still have lots of wiggle room before you get to the GCWR of 14k#.
If the truck has a 5' bed, take 1,000 lbs off the capacities.
As noted on the hitch, you will infact need a weight distribution system.
Enjoy,
Shayne Peterson
MobileHitch
http://www.mobilehitch.ca/
AnswerRodney,
Knowing the weight of the trailer at a given moment is only half the battle. You also need to know how the weight is distributed in the trailer. Talk to a local shop and have them weigh the tongue of the trailer (using a scale, not by guessing).
With that information they can recommend a good system for your particular trailer. It will also be a factor of the trailer design. You may need to use a trunnion system if the trailer is very low to the ground. You may need to change systems if the propane rack is in the way of the brackets. It's not something I can determine online.
I can certainly sell you something, but I won't be able to guarantee that it will work properly for you. It also needs to be setup just right, or it won't do it's job as well as it could and could even be dangerous if it's too far out of whack.
Best of luck,
Shayne Peterson
MobileHitch
http://www.mobilehitch.ca/
