2015 F-150 SuperCrew 3.5 EB towing 2012 International 27FB

[tot2learn]

Hello AirForums,

First post and wanted to ask you guys about my TV & Trailer combo.

Tow Vehicle:

2015 F-150 SuperCrew 4x4
Short Bed
3.5L Ecoboost
3.55 Axle Ratio

Trailer:

2012 International Signature 27FB

Hitch:

Equal-i-zer Equalizer Hitch

Attached are photos of my window sticker and screenshots of the specs from the Ford website with my vehicle highlighted:

1. F-150 & Airstream Stickers (side-by-side)
2. GCWR & Max Tow Weight
3. Payload
4. Curb Weight

I paid attention to the max tow weight of the vehicle when I bought it, which seems more than enough to pull the Airstream. I did not pay particular attention to payload (newbie oversight), which seems to be the easily attainable limit to watch closely. From what I've read, the new 2015 F-150 has the best payload capacity of any 1/2 ton pickup on the market and since getting a 250/2500 wasn't an option for me, I felt it was the best choice.

When loading up the family in the cab and gear in the bed, I'm trying to figure out how much room there is to spare. Does this setup work well? Are there any limits or tips I should think about when planning my trips?

Thanks!

[55AS]

Load your trailer up and take it and the TV to a scale to find out trailer weight on axle and tongue.

[silverlabs]

Your best option is to do as BambiTex suggested, load up and go to the scales. I have a 15 F150 Platinum with same engine/rear end as yours but have a few less pounds available for payload. Pulled a 2014 25FC and had no problem and was within numbers fine. I just purchased a 2015 28FC and with the heavier tongue weight, I am a little closer on maxing out payload. On the 28FC I went from an equalizer hitch to a Pro Pride hitch adding a few additional pounds to tongue weight. It pulls very well with this setup, but have not made it to the scales yet. Did all wheel well measurements to get all level, but need to make it to the scales to be sure. As a note though, understanding payload limitations, I carry very little in the bed of the truck. Most is packed in the trailer and distributed equally. Did this with the 25FC and on the 2011 F150 Eco Platinum I had before. It actually had about 500lbs less in available payload and I was fine with it with the amount I carried. Best of luck and just get to the scales to figure out how to pack and manage the weight.

[KJRitchie]

That is the big disappointment with the 2015 F150s is the expect payload increases have only occurred with the high end trim models since Ford lowered the GVWR ratings on the 2015s.Still 1600bs of payload is better than my Tundra's 1465lbs. The highest 2015 F150 GVWR now is 7050 without HD Payload Pkg vs the 2014 7700lbs. The only way to achieve close to 2000lbs payload with a non HD Payload 2015 F150 is with an XLT Supercab.

With 2 passengers and the hitch weight with WDH you should still have a few hundred pounds of payload left. However if you plan on getting a truck shell (200lbs) or tonneau (50lbs) that will eat into your payload.

Kelvin

[tot2learn]

Good suggestion about weighing it when loaded, I'll look into that.

@KJRitchie, I posted a screenshot of my Payload number according to Ford's specs (3rd attachment.) The payload is actually listed as 2020 lbs for my truck. I thought payload was GVWR minus Curb Weight (7000−4925 = 2,075) I don't know why there's a slight difference, but in any case it looks like I'm at about 2000 lbs. Is that more than you thought?

A few more details about the truck, it's a Lariat FX4 with Tow Package.

To recap F-150 Specs are:

GVWR = 7000lbs
Curb Weight = 4925lbs
Payload = 2020lbs (not sure why it's not 2075lbs)

[silverlabs]

What does your yellow sticker on your drivers side door actually say? That is the one you need to go off of as it accounts for your options etc. which may take away from your payload. I misread your original entry and stickers above. You need to get that number off of the yellow sticker.

[BoldAdventure]

Originally Posted by tot2learn

Good suggestion about weighing it when loaded, I'll look into that.

@KJRitchie, I posted a screenshot of my Payload number according to Ford's specs (3rd attachment.) The payload is actually listed as 2020 lbs for my truck. I thought payload was GVWR minus Curb Weight (7000−4925 = 2,075) I don't know why there's a slight difference, but in any case it looks like I'm at about 2000 lbs. Is that more than you thought?

A few more details about the truck, it's a Lariat FX4 with Tow Package.

To recap F-150 Specs are:

GVWR = 7000lbs
Curb Weight = 4925lbs
Payload = 2020lbs (not sure why it's not 2075lbs)

If this is your door sticker (that you posted in the first post), your payload is not 2020lbs it's 1631lbs - You go by your door sticker. Options can change payload. Add a subwoofer and premium sound to the same package and it's suddenly 100lbs less payload. That's how these work.

Generally the ratings you posted, are the averages, then when a vehicle is configured it various based on the options on that vehicle.



All this info is really posted over and over in the forum, some reading will go a long way. Have a thick skin, plenty of opinions around here too.

Personally (my opinion) you have enough truck if you load it properly, don't go trying to tow with an ATV in the bed (Obviously).

As for best in class payload, the big three all lie in advertising to Joe Q Public, nonstop. Beating a dead horse, but I've pointed out many times, Ford's best payload is in a single cab long bed version, but they'll say BEST IN CLASS PAYLOAD with an asterisk, and then show a picture of a King Ranch which in fact is not the configuration with that payload.

Ram & GM also do this, not picking on Ford. It's just advertising. It makes it confusing for all of us. And leads to endless debates and arguments. And plenty of sales. Just like the "Best in class statements" who determines these classes? They do, they're just made up nonsense.

Off my soap box. Good luck, and enjoy your new rig and truck.

[silverlabs]

Not to hijack a thread but this kind of cracked me up. BoldAdventures, you had another thread about changing to 16 inch tires and there was all kind of back and firths on Rims vs Wheels and proper terminology. In looking at the sticker from Ford on tires, it mentions tires and, lol, rims. I guess someone still refers to them as rims. Sorry again to hijack for a moment.

[tot2learn]

BoldAdventures - In the picture you referenced, the left picture is the F-150 and the right one is the Airstream, so the 1631lbs you read off is the trailer's payload.

silverlabs - I don't have a yellow sticker on the driver-side door, the one I uploaded on the left-hand side of the first attachment is the only sticker I found on that door. I'll look again.

[tot2learn]

Ah, I found it. They keep the yellow sticker on the inside of the door jam now.

If the payload is only 1544 lbs, then that's surprising. When you build the truck online the only thing you have to reference with your model is the payload guide at 2015 Ford F-150 | View Payload Specifications | Ford.com

Is the yellow sticker really represents the payload, that's a big difference between the advertised 2020 lbs and 1544 lbs.

[silverlabs]

It should be either on the door or the inside frame of door. Mine is on that inside frame

[DC Bruce]

The sticker that says 1500 odd pounds is for your particular truck. Remember that assumes a full tank of gas and a 175 lb driver. So, any other passengers, dogs and stuff count against payload.

[featherbedder]

I asked chev. dealer for build sheet for my 2500 silverado that he was happy to furnish all I had to do was give vin.# printed out, w/no charge & no guessing what I have. Not all info on door much more this way. One example, rear gears were # on door sticker,ratio sheet showed ratio, much more info also.

[KJRitchie]

I'm not sure the payload allows the weight of the driver, maybe a full tank of gas.
The sticker does say the combined weight of occupants and cargo. I can never find any documentation that states otherwise from any manufacturer.

I'm not sure what the process is at the end of manufacturing when they apply the sticker. They must weigh the vehicle at the end of the line and subtract the weight of the vehicle from the GVWR. They only put a few gallons of gas in at the factory to be able to drive it to the shipping center and run quick tests.

Many of us are the same boat payload-wise yet I've yet to read of any failures towing when a few hundred pounds over payload.

Kelvin

[larryglarson]

You will not have any problems unless you load 2 to 3000 lbs. More stuff than you need. I would suggest 60 lbs. Air in trailer and may be 40 in rear tires TV.

[BoldAdventure]

I agree with the two above statements. Don't over load your axles really. If you have a 1/2 ton and hook up to a 27 or 30 ft Airstream, then no, no you cannot put an ATV in the bed and expect it to be ok. It's not hard to figure out.

Just watch out for the 3/4 ton and 1 ton payload police who will tell you that you are a danger to society and you will probably kill yourself at any moment for not towing with an International Freightliner.

(large sums of snark and humor in the above, please take it as humor)

[tot2learn]

Thanks for the input everyone. We aren't full-timers and our loads will be modest. BTW, the new F-150 as a daily driver has been fantastic, I'm really enjoying the truck.

[DuncanK1]

I thought the Ford payload number includes a notional 150lb driver? I wish I was a bit closer to 150 than I am!!

[tot2learn]

I just wanted to post a follow-up on this and post a couple pics. Although I haven't been to the scales, I have the Equal-i-zer hitch dialed in so that the truck is level. I'm very pleased so far with the truck as a daily-driver and a TV.

[Mach5]

Originally Posted by tot2learn

If the yellow sticker really represents the payload, that's a big difference between the advertised 2020 lbs and 1544 lbs.

I have been "researching" on (wife calls it obsessing over) the F150 Forum for a while trying to figure out which engine/cab/bed/payload options would be best suited for towing a 25FB FC. Your max payload of 1544 is about average for the '15 3.5L EB Lariat 5.5' Screws on the forum; not the worst I have seen, and I have seen a few with higher max numbers.

Just curious what heavy options you have? You already mentioned FX4, and looks like sport trim w/ 20" wheels (rims? I remember a time when a wheel was a rim with a tire on it ), I don't see towing mirrors so probably no Max Tow pkg, possibly a moon roof?

By the way, nice looking combo, that truck has a nice stance with the trailer attached.

PS, those don't look like the Flatirons that I remember