Can 2009 Ford F350 With 9300lb Tow Capacity Safely Pull 8100 lb Travel Trailer

Question:

We are looking at a 38 ft trailer with a weight of 8100 lbs our Ford F350 has a towing capacity of 9300 lbs a GVWR of 11,000 lbs and net weight of 6558 lbs for a payload of 4441. lbs if we take 15 of the weight of the trailer on the hitch/ball whatever its 1215lbs leaving a payload capacity of 3226... 2 questions...the truck is gas, 2009 superduty F350 and is in good shape the questions are do you think it can safely pull this trailer ? we will be using the Equalizer tow package to level the two. second question,...does the weight transfer to the hitch lessen the tow weight of the actual trailer by 15 or just reduces the payload? hope that makes sense

asked by: Lynn

Expert Reply:

Towing capacity, payload and tongue weight are not the same, but are closely related.

Towing capacity is pretty self explanatory. It's the maximum trailer weight a vehicle can pull. This can vary according to how the truck is configured and equipped.

Payload is the amount of cargo a truck can carry, typically in the bed of the truck. The truck's payload will be reduced by the amount of tongue weight applied by the trailer, as you suspected but the tongue weight won't be deducted from the towing capacity as they are two different forces.

If the 8100 lb weight of the travel trailer you're looking at would be the fully loaded and ready to tow weight, including all your gear, water and propane then you're well enough under the 9300 lb capacity of the truck that you'll be fine, as it's smart to leave some cushion between the weight of the trailer and the capacity of its tow vehicle. If the fully loaded weight of the travel trailer exceeds the 9300 lb capacity of the truck, then you'll eventually damage the truck's drivetrain.

Equal-i-zer makes a great product, one of their weight distribution systems would work great for you. A system like # EQ37120ET would work great for tongue weights up to 1200 lbs or # EQ37140ET for tongue weights between 1000-1400 lbs.

Unless you'll be towing on completely flat terrain, I'd highly recommend you go with a supplemental transmission cooler if your F350 is equipped with an automatic transmission. I'd recommend the Derale # D13504 which would install inline with the return line from the radiator to the transmission. If you have the 6.8L V10 engine, a # D13025 fitting kit is recommended, otherwise the instadapt fitting included with the cooler would work just fine for you.

I've linked to some helpful articles about transmission coolers, as well as to a video showing a typical install.