!/2 ton Truck towing limitations

Joined
Dec 11, 2023
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Hello Everyone, I just got a new 2024 F150 5.0 super crew with the FX4 package. Love the truck. I traded in my 2012 F150 5.0 2 wheel drive truck. I wanted another 5.0 because my 2012 had 185,000 miles on it and it was still running great. My comment / question concerns a little disappointment I discovered after picking up my truck. I made sure and ask the salesman what the tow limits were before purchase and he said for conventional towing my limit was 9,300 lbs. My boat and trailer weighs 7,400 lbs so I thought I am more than good to go. Well going through some "fine print" on Ford's towing chart for 2024 I discovered that my truck is only allowed to tow 5,000 lbs with the included class 4 hitch. To tow more than 5,000 up to the truck tow rating requires a weight distributing hitch!!! I can't use such a hitch on a boat with surge brakes (or at least that's what I think). I'm confident my new truck will tow my boat with no problem. My 2012 was rated to tow only 8,000 lbs and was 2 wheel drive and it towed the boat the short distances I usually tow it with no problem so the new truck should be even better. However I think it stinks that Ford and other manufacturers of 1/2 ton trucks have the restriction about tow weights without a weight distributing hitch. They all brag about the tow limits without openly in my opinion talking about this limitation. The limit isn't the class 4 hitch because class 4 is rated to at least 10,000 lbs. I don't have an excessive tongue weight with my tandem axle trailer as the load is very well spread out. I'd estimate my tongue weight to be right at 500 lbs, certainly not more than 750 lbs. When hooked up the boat and trailer didn't squat my 2012 truck down very much at all. Any of you who tow with a 1/2 ton truck, does this concern you from a liability standpoint if God forbid you were in an accident while towing your boat? I don't trust accident lawyers and I can just hear them now, "Well why were you towing that 7,400 lb load with your truck when the manufacturer says not to exceed 5,000 lbs.!
 

alldodge

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Page 1 (12,900) - I'm reading the truck would need the Tow/Haul package and max tow axle
Page 2 - conventional tow 3.73 axle (10,300) with super crew 4x4 and (10,000) with Tremor package
 

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  • 2024-Ford-F-150-Towing-Guide.pdf
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briangcc

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Uh huh...did ya read the note? Says not to exceed 5k without using a WDH.

More than likely due to rear suspension sag/squat.
 

Mad Dog 2

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I would investigating a means to have fully functioning brakes while using a weight distribution hitch.
I think Ford is saying you need the weight distribution hitch for steering control and to support the suspension of the trailer and truck.
You need fully functional trailer brakes as well.
I think when you search you will find other truck owners have this problem and there are after market solutions.
- Electric over hydraulic brake system?
- Different style weight distribution hitch?
Keep us informed
 

alldodge

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Uh huh...did ya read the note? Says not to exceed 5k without using a WDH.

More than likely due to rear suspension sag/squat.
Yes I did, but the 5K comes from how much weight can be put on the hitch, next to last page, bottom left
 

briangcc

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Yes I did, but the 5K comes from how much weight can be put on the hitch, next to last page, bottom left
And you can't do max without a WDH. Says it right on the same page....in the same chart. Heck its all through the PDF of the owners manual...over 5k = WDH. And that's direct from the manufacturer.

I tow with my Ram 1500, no issues. My towed weight is probably right around 4500lbs when fully outfitted for a day on the water...boat is 2600lbs dry/rigged per manufacturer. According to the owners manual for my specific truck, a WDH is recommended over 5k, not required.

Would I though? Probably not. Why? Cause anything bigger is a travel trailer for me and that would be one big old sail behind the truck. I'd want every advantage towing that possible.
 

JASinIL2006

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Tough problem, but as an F150 owner since 2005, I can tell you that 5000 lb. (without WDH) limit is pretty much standard. To me, it's always sounded like a WDH would be a hassle for a boat trailer since you regularly load/unload most of the weight from the trailer, which means (I guess) you have to disconnect the WDH when launching /retrieving. If the problem was only the surge brakes, you could always install electric brakes or electric over hydraulics, but I don't know how you get away from the WDH issue.

I certainly wouldn't drive around towing a boat trailer that exceeded the max recommended two capacity by 2500 lbs. In addition to whatever legal liability issues that might bring, it just doesn't sound particularly safe.
 
Joined
Dec 11, 2023
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Thanks for all the replies and I hope there will be more. Yes the Ford tow guide has the note under #1 that over 5000 lbs a WDH is required. I guess it was just my ignorance on the subject but this was a surprise to me and also to most everyone I've talked to about it. My specific truck on the tow guide shows 9,300 pound conventional trailer tow limit but has the #1 foot note under the chart about the WDH. It is interesting that they put the class 4 hitch on but with the hitch as is the limit is about 1/2 of the truck tow limit. I only tow the boat 4 miles each way to the launch ramp and the road doesn't have any even close to steep hills. I have no doubt the truck will tow the boat with ease but I don't like to be in a "grey" legal area if I can help it. I have thought about electric over oil brakes for my boat trailer as I like the idea of having breaks on the trailer actuate even in reverse if I step on the brake pedal. That wouldn't be a cheap addition / modification to the boat trailer but it also wouldn't get around the need for a WDH for over 5000 lbs. I guess I now know why 3/4 ton trucks are so popular:)
 

JASinIL2006

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Straight electric brakes would also be an option, and your wallet would take less of a hit. They're probably not a good idea if you boat it salt water, though.
 

dingbat

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Guessing the need for a WHD at #5k and above is boiler plate.

When weight is applied to a hitch, the rear axle becomes the pivot point in the transfer of weight to the front axle.

In effect, the weight on the hitch reduces the load in the front axle, compromising both the steering and braking action.

The reason I say “boiler plate” is because this weight is used across the board. If it was a valid and accurate weight, the figure would increase with truck weight and wheel base.
 

airshot

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Add some airbags under the back and you will be good to go as far as weight distribution goes, brakes are a must on most any trailer over 2500#.
 

froggy1150

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I had stumbled across a post on some forum talking about a wdh that allowed the surge brakes to operate correctly. Don't remember details but they do exsist
 

Scott Danforth

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Just love it when lawyers get involved with hitch ratings....

A true class 4 hitch is rated for 10k tow and 1000# of tongue weight

However can the truck handle the tongue weight?

As AD mentioned, it needs the tow package and tow max axle for the higher tow rating.

The truck is more than capable of pulling the trailer, and with properly maintained trailer brakes, it's capable of stopping.

I do not know enough a out the axle changes to comment on that
 

Pmt133

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If you pull up the same guide for your old truck, the 5000lb asterisk is there as well. Just saying.

It is there as a CYA. Same as the 10% tongue weight to hit the max tow numbers. Note how 10% puts you at the ~1000lbs of tongue weight of a standard class IV for nearly all the max tow ratings.... Interesting, right? On a half ton you typically run out of truck way before you hit the claimed max tow numbers if you actually run the numbers of your setup... However no one typically does.
 

Horigan

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Add some airbags under the back and you will be good to go as far as weight distribution goes, brakes are a must on most any trailer over 2500#.
Airbags don't change the weight distribution between the front and rear axles. They just reduce the rear sag by stiffening/raising the rear suspension.
 

Scott Danforth

Grumpy Vintage Moderator still playing with boats
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Usually Air Bags are all that is needed to not squat. But agree, they do not add capacity or change the weight distribution in a static condition.

They may change the dynamic condition a bit as the rear thrust angle geometry changes a bit with squat
 
Joined
Dec 11, 2023
Messages
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This is all great input, thank you everyone. My research to this point indicates that my best most cost effective solution to be "legal" is to purchase a class 5 hitch with a 2" receiver opening and have it installed in place of my Ford factory OEM class 4 hitch. Draw-Tite has a class 5 as described that is a bolt on fit for my 2024 F150. It says the installation takes about 40 minutes. The specs for the hitch give ratings with and without a WDH attachment. This is the specs as listed on the etrailer website:

41954 Draw-Tite Class 5 Trailer Hitch Receiver - Ultra Frame​

Installation Details DT35MR Installation instructions
Weight Carrying Capacity
Gross Towing Weight (GTW):
11,000 lbs.
Tongue Weight (TW):
1,100 lbs.

Weight Distribution Capacity
Gross Towing Weight (GTW):
14,000 lbs.
Tongue Weight (TW):
1,400 lbs.

So at least on paper if I have this hitch installed I have 1,100 lbs Tongue weight and 11,000 lb gross trailer weight limits without using a weight distribution attachment. This is more than enough and in fact surpasses the 10,000 lb 2" large shank trailer ball rating I have on my 16,000 lb rated solid forged 2" square hitch.

I hope this information is helpful and again I do appreciate all the great input. If anyone sees a problem with this hitch as a "legal" solution or if you know of a better solution I'm all ears. I probably won't pull the trigger on buying the new class 5 hitch until warmer weather as I have to install outside. Happy New Year everyone and hurry up boating weather!
 
Joined
Dec 11, 2023
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Legally, the little placard on the truck from when it left the factory is what matters. Doesn't matter what an owner changes....
Well I was afraid I would get this opinion. I will say this, I wonder how anyone can change anything on their mass produced vehicle with any kind of aftermarket product and not run the risk for liability? I mean if the Draw-Tite hitch has the specs I listed and they say it is for my truck wouldn't that mean that I've changed the factory capabilities? I'm not wanting to argue, just sincerely asking for input. I for sure don't want to invest any money and my time to be no better off since I think most would agree Ford's 5000 lb limit without a WDH is just legal posturing. If adding the Draw-Tite unit wouldn't hold up in case of a legal challenge after some kind of mishap then I would stick with the factory hitch and take my chances.
 
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