Why Does 2017 Ford F-150 with EcoBoost have Two Trailer Towing Capacities

Products Featured in This Question

Curt Trailer Hitch Receiver - Custom Fit - Class III - 2"

(29)

$196.44

2-5/16" Hitch Ball - 1-1/4" Diameter x 2-3/4" Long Shank - Chrome - 12,000 lbs

(2586)

$18.03

2" Hitch Ball - 1-1/4" Diameter x 2-5/8" Long Shank - Chrome - 10,000

(3760)

$20.55

Question:

I have a 2017 F150 super crew 3.5 ecoboost with max tow package AND A 7,000 GVWR. I want to tow a 2011 featherlite 17.5 ft trailer 1,500 lbs with a 1964 Thunderbird on it 4,300 lbs. the combination will be 5,800 lbs. The featherlite trailer has a 7,000 LB, GVWR There is a sticker on my factory trailer hitch that says weight carrying max trailer capacity of 5,000 with a 500 lb tongue load and the sticker also says weight distributing max capacity of 12,000 lbs with a 1,200 lb tongue load. I have no idea why the sticker on the factory hitch has two types of capacities, weight distributing and weight carrying. I also have no idea what the trailer tongue weight is going to turn out to be. Does it look like I need to buy a different hitch from you to tow the trailer and the Thunderbird??

asked by: Paul W

Expert Reply:

The second higher capacity listed on your hitch is the capacity the truck would have if you used a weight distribution system installed on the trailer. A WD system uses spring bar tension between the truck and trailer to redistribute some of the tongue weight up to the front axle of the tow vehicle. This allows the weight of the trailer to basically be better distributed which allows it to have a higher towing capacity. I attached a help article for more info on this, but basically if you use a WD system you'll have no problem towing the trailer weight you mentioned but without a WD system you'd be over your capacity.

The best way to pick out a weight distribution system is to base it off of the loaded tongue weight of the setup when it is loaded and ready to tow. This figure also includes the weight of any cargo behind the rear axle of the tow vehicle. I attached a help article on determining tongue weight for you to check out as well. You will want the loaded tongue weight of your setup to fall right in the middle of the tongue weight range of the system you use.

Since your trailer loaded is 5,800 lbs that would mean you'd have most likely a tongue weight between 580 and 870 lbs. Since most of the weight of your setup will be a vehicle on a car hauler trailer you'd most likely be on the higher end of the tongue weight range. So the best system we offer for you will be the Strait Line part # RP66084 which has a tongue weight range of 600-1,200 lbs and features best sway control that works to fight sway before it starts.

For a 2 inch ball you would want part # A-90 and for a 2-5/16 inch ball # 19286.

expert reply by: Jameson C