I have just started looking at replacing my Coleman popup with a TT. My tow vehicle is an '05 F150 extended cab 4X4 with the 5'5" bed, 5.4L engine, tow package, 7800gvw. I live in SW Colorado and will be towing it up into the mountains and down to Arizona, so don't want to be running at gross. How much trailer weight and length would be a good choice for this vehicle? I am looking at the KZ Spree 260RBS with a real empty weight of 5350lbs, and the Spree 245KS with empty weight of 4955lbs. Your advice, thoughts are appreciated. Thanks!

HERE is a link to the Ford Towing Guide.

It has detailed information on towing capacities.

First of all, welcome to iRV2! We're glad to have you with us.

If you really want to know where you are in the real world, you'll need to know the laden curb weight (LCW) of your F150 with driver, passenger(s), pets, cargo, full fuel tank, etc. just as you'll hit the road. That will require a trip to the scales. With the LCW and the truck's GVWR and GCWR:

Truck's GCWR - Truck's LCW = Maximum total weight of laden trailer.

Truck's GVWR - Truck's LCW = Maximum pin or tongue weight of laden trailer.

For sizing purposes, a conservative approach is to use the trailer's GVWR for total laden weight and 20% (5th wheel) or 12% (conventional) of the trailer's GVWR for the laden pin or tongue weight.

Rusty

Thanks a lot, guys! Looking at the Ford chart on the above link, it appears I should be good. Would be wise to fill the water tanks once up over the passes, though. I will make some calls and try to figure out where a scales would be in our dinky community, might be hard to come by. Is there any way to estimate the LCW? Thanks again, will be working on it.

CO-Bikeman
IMHO I think a 1/2T PU will be disappointing and sometimes white knuckle experience for that much TT. My son-in-law has one similar to yours but a little older that they tow a horse trailer W/one or two horses that grosses less than the empty weight that you discribed. It shifts down on any kind of hill and they have had brake trouble (burned ). A 3/4T with a larger engine will do a much better job.

Two problems with "manufacturers' trailer towing ratings":

1. The trailer towing rating is typically computed by subtracting an artificially low curb weight of a base truck (no options or accessories) with only a 150 pound driver from the vehicle's GCWR. This is why obtaining a real world laden curb weight (LCW) is so important. Scales can typically be found at truck stops, grain elevators, landfills, gravel pits, etc.

2. The manufacturers' trailer tow ratings do not address the GVWR portion of the equation - the weight carried by the truck. Only in the fine print is a "gotcha" phrase found, such as "none of the vehicle's ratings are to be exceeded in a towing application."

Rusty

So how much trailer should I be looking for with this half ton?

See my post above - these two formulas will tell you how much trailer you can handle while remaining within your ratings:

Truck's GCWR - Truck's LCW = Maximum total weight of laden trailer.

Truck's GVWR - Truck's LCW = Maximum pin or tongue weight of laden trailer.

Rusty

This weight calculator includes all the factors to accurately calculate what your tow vehicle will safely handle, or conversly, what tow vehicle is required to safely handle your present trailer.
You will note it uses only the trailer's GVW in the calculations, as the UVW is meaningless. It also offers you the option of selecting the 20% safety factor most full-timers follow.
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Ray,
Thanks for the link. It is [/B] really straightforward.