!/2 ton Truck towing limitations

[airshot]

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.

Only driving a short distance so what is the big deal .....

 

[alldodge]

Don't think we have any attorney's here, and since a F150, 250 and 350 all have the same body, and differences come from chassis changes. So IMO as a non-attorney the little placard is not the final say. If things are changed to increase tow capacity, axle, springs, brakes, steering, etc, then it's increased

Adding a class 5 hitch won't change the max load of the truck, it just changes the amount of weight the hitch can pull/carry

 

[tpenfield]

Don't tell anybody, but I tow about 14,000 lbs with my 2012 F-150 3.5 Ecoboost. Of course, I only tow that weight on the back roads . . . I think the top-end rating for my truck model year is 11,200 lbs.

I think all of the notes on the ratings charts are to make the lawyers happy.

 

[Pmt133]

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.

I have to deal with it (and in some instances DOT) with the fleet. And believe me, people are jerks. What the truck is labeled as is what they care about. Same as the magic 10,000 GVWR. Granted, this is operating in a different wheel house and within the peoples republic of NJ where any chance they can, they will put their foot on the neck of a business just to make a dime. I can count on one hand the amount of times there has been an issue over hundreds of thousands of miles....

So now from a purely personal stand point, the truck will pull what you have as is without any changes needed and I wouldn't worry about it at all. Absolutely no one is going to say a damn thing about it. And you've already been doing it with the old rig so why even worry? Nothing burger, case closed. That's my take and what I alluded to in my first post without saying it outright.

 

[ChooChooSnakeMan]

Don't think we have any attorney's here, and since a F150, 250 and 350 all have the same body, and differences come from chassis changes. So IMO as a non-attorney the little placard is not the final say. If things are changed to increase tow capacity, axle, springs, brakes, steering, etc, then it's increased

Adding a class 5 hitch won't change the max load of the truck, it just changes the amount of weight the hitch can pull/carry

Agree, and as my post with the hitch ratings shows, all adding the class 5 hitch would do (or at least I hope do) is to make me legal to tow up to the 9,300 lb limit of my truck without having to use a WDH to get over 5,000 lbs. If changing a truck from the factory in any way wouldn't improve it and even add liability then I don't think there would be such a huge aftermarket business. Draw-Tite publishes the specs I listed so their lawyers obviously think they are protected. I'm pretty sure if I make any kind of change that it will be to add the Draw-Tite class 5 hitch for my specific truck. Thanks to you and everyone for this great discussion.

 

[Scott Danforth]

The class 4 hitch is more than capable

The transmission, transmission cooling, axle bearings, rear springs and chassis strength along with a bunch of CYA legal speak are what puts the 5000# sticker on your truck

The WDH requirement is a legal band-aid from those that do not know what you are pulling to cover their butts

 

[dingbat]

 

[Toyelectroman]

I have a Ram and after reading this post made me wonder if I was towing illegally. Per Ram they only recommend a WDH over 5000lbs

 

[dingbat]

I have a Ram and after reading this post made me wonder if I was towing illegally. Per Ram they only recommend a WDH over 5000lbs

It’s based on tongue weight (#500) not load.

Guess they assume a 10% TW which may or may not be applicable. The recommended TW for my #6k aluminum is 7%, ie #470

 

[Toyelectroman]

It’s based on tongue weight (#500) not load.

Guess they assume a 10% TW which may or may not be applicable. The recommended TW for my #6k aluminum is 7%, ie #470

That's what I find weird about Ford. Looking on Fords website they say they require WDH over 5000lbs regardless of TW

 

[chrisgt]

That's what I find weird about Ford. Looking on Fords website they say they require WDH over 5000lbs regardless of TW

You could set up a 5000lbs trailer with 10lbs of tongue weight, but you'd jacknife and crash the first time you took a corner down a hill.

The assumption being made by ford is that the trailer mfg has specified correct weight and balance of the trailer, which is going to be around 10% tongue weight. If you're not following the trailer mfg's weight distribution guidance you'll once again be out of compliance.


The whole thing is a load of BS driven by lawsuits.

 

[jimmbo]

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#.

That doesn't take Weight off the Rear Axle, moving it to the Front, which what a WDH does

 

[demarko210]

From what I see on the roads most trucks set squat when the suspension is leveled and towing. Most of the trucks rear set higher than the front from the factory. I would think this makes a difference in towing if you level your truck.

 

[airshot]

If you towing serious weight over distances and at speed, then a WDH is necessary, but for occasional short tows, it really doesn't matter unless the weight is really excessive. Living near lake erie, the walleye capital, most of the trucks I see towing larger boats are defiantly not setup for proper weight distribution !! Again for occasional short tow....not a big deal...