F150 on the Cat scale

[Slimpockets]

I have been reading on here about how overloaded my F150 is on this forum. I know from reading here that pulling my 25’ Airstream needs a F350 diesel at a minimum to do it with any safety margin. I have been towing with a F150 for 20,000 miles and keep waiting for the white knuckle experience. My life has yet to flash before my eyes too!

Curiosity got the best of me and I went to a scale on the way home from a trip. Can any of you diesel drivers help me figure out where to load another 900ish pounds in my truck? Thanks in advance!

[jeffb831]

You obviously have the HDPP option (which is no longer available) on the truck to get to 2400+# of payload. Almost every time someone says that a Ford 1/2 ton truck is insufficient, they qualify it with: "unless you have the HDPP".

Also without the other sticker showing the max GVWR and individual axle ratings, how are you sure you really have 900# left?

[uraljohn]

The HDPP option on the F150 makes it have an acceptable payload rating. Still not a bad idea to do a 3 pass weigh in at a CAT Scale just to make sure your not over axle. Bet that is a nice truck.
I tow our 2019 FC 25' RBT with a 2013 E150 XLT Premium Passenger Van. It has a GVWR of 8600 LBS and a "Do not exceed" payload rating of 2538 LBS. So....there are half tonners out there that can easily tow a 25' AS. As a long time CDL Truck Driver (almost 2 million miles in Class 8 equipment) I always do a 3 pass CAT Scale weigh in just to make sure of individual axle weights. Happy travels.

[Slimpockets]

One more sticker.

[Life is a Highway]

Snarky but us in a real 3/4 ton vs a grocery getter on steroids understand the difference. And yes I owned a 3.5 eco puke 150 with the max tow package with our 25 Flying Cloud

It lasted one year before the trade up to a F-250. A 350 only adds $1700 to the price of a 250 giving one a stronger rear diff and helper springs. We did not need that unless towing a 5 th wheel

[uraljohn]

Originally Posted by Life is a Highway

Snarky but us in a real 3/4 ton vs a grocery getter on steroids understand the difference. And yes I owned a 3.5 eco puke 150 with the max tow package with our 25 Flying Cloud

It lasted one year before the trade up to a F-250. A 350 only adds $1700 to the price of a 250 giving one a stronger rear diff and helper springs. We did not need that unless towing a 5 th wheel

Just curious...How is your F250 equipped? Gas/Diesel, 2wd/4wd, Quad cab/Super cab, 6' or 8' bed, Trim level (XLT, Lariat, King Ranch, Platinum). What are the numbers? GVWR, the "Do Not Exceed" Payload/Cargo capacity # from the door jamb sticker? Just trying to get an accurate picture. Thanks in advance for info. Happy travels.

[Slimpockets]

Originally Posted by Life is a Highway

Snarky but us in a real 3/4 ton vs a grocery getter on steroids understand the difference. And yes I owned a 3.5 eco puke 150 with the max tow package with our 25 Flying Cloud

It lasted one year before the trade up to a F-250. A 350 only adds $1700 to the price of a 250 giving one a stronger rear diff and helper springs. We did not need that unless towing a 5 th wheel

I went the other direction. I had a F250 with the Blowing smoke engine. I just changed all the fluids in my 3.5 and so far no problems. Time will tell.

[JJTX]

Originally Posted by Slimpockets

I have been reading on here about how overloaded my F150 is on this forum. I know from reading here that pulling my 25’ Airstream needs a F350 diesel at a minimum to do it with any safety margin. I have been towing with a F150 for 20,000 miles and keep waiting for the white knuckle experience. My life has yet to flash before my eyes too!

Curiosity got the best of me and I went to a scale on the way home from a trip. Can any of you diesel drivers help me figure out where to load another 900ish pounds in my truck? Thanks in advance!

Your truck is not made anymore, in general. 2000 is max, generally in an F150 frame. So yours is more capable, literally than some F250s of older generation and is heavier. There may still be an option for more than a 2K payload though. But its unusual.

With that said, the sheer weight difference and weight handling characteristics of a newer F250 is no comparison to any F150 frame. Its apples an oranges.

Just because you drive with caution and don't overload and push the speed you should be at, does not mean the average person is not completely ignorant and unaware of what will happen when a semi truck passes you, pushes your camper with its wind load and sends you jackknifed into the ditch because of how big and heavy the larger camper is vs the tow vehicle. This requires slower speeds and proper setup and not over loading.

Over load your vehicle and drive 10-15mph faster than you should with a crosswind, then have a bus or semi pass you and things change. When the camper yanks your back wheels off the pavement, its over.

This scenario is possible, even with an F250. But much less likely as nothing is perfect.

Theres a video posted here of a camper/tow vehicle combination that probably is a bad idea at the speed they were traveling and the results when a large vehicle pushes the camper to the side. Its ugly. And I'm sure that guy didn't have any problems before, until he/she did. The tow vehicle was not capable of controlling the sway induced by the passing semi.

Would I tow your camper with your truck? Not more than about 55. It still needs a 2500 frame tow vehicle. 25 foot is a LONG trailer. Add 2-3 more feet with the hitch a frame and thats a huge lever yanking on that back bumper hitch on a light tow vehicle.


Good luck, keep it slow.

[lookingin]

Originally Posted by Slimpockets

I have been reading on here about how overloaded my F150 is on this forum. I know from reading here that pulling my 25’ Airstream needs a F350 diesel at a minimum to do it with any safety margin. I have been towing with a F150 for 20,000 miles and keep waiting for the white knuckle experience. My life has yet to flash before my eyes too!

Curiosity got the best of me and I went to a scale on the way home from a trip. Can any of you diesel drivers help me figure out where to load another 900ish pounds in my truck? Thanks in advance!

No need whatsoever to upgrade. Keep the well configured 150 and focus on safe driving.