| How does your Tow Vehicle Stack up in the Real | | | | use the vehicle curb weight listed by the vehicle |
| World | | | | manufacturer. |
| I was watching television the other night when a Ford | | | | The Toyota Tundra has a GCWR of 16,000 minus the |
| commercial came on. They had two competitors | | | | curb weight of 5,200 = 10,800 pounds, which is the |
| vehicles hooked to an 11,000 pound trailer and the guy | | | | advertised tow rating of the Tundra in our example. |
| says something along the lines of, it would take two | | | | The Ford F-150 has a new GCWR of 15,800 minus |
| trucks to tow an 11,000 pound trailer unless you have a | | | | the curb weight of 5,125 = 10,675 pounds, which is 325 |
| Ford F-150 with a fully boxed frame. Now, because of | | | | pounds less than the advertised 11,000 pound tow |
| what I do for a living this commercial advertisement | | | | rating. Things don't add up here! And I don't understand |
| immediately got my attention. | | | | how the truck's GCWR increased from 15,300 to |
| My first thought was that a fully boxed frame might be | | | | 15,800 pounds with little or no change to the truck. |
| a nice feature, but I found it difficult to believe that this | | | | Even with the higher GCWR this truck can't tow 11,000 |
| was the reason the truck could tow more weight than | | | | pounds, at least not mathematically. |
| any other half-ton truck on the planet. The last time I | | | | This simple formula works for any towing application. I |
| checked, reasons for strong tow ratings were due to | | | | mentioned that I tried to contact Ford on five separate |
| factors like the engine, transmission, and rear axle ratio | | | | occasions, to explain this difference in the calculations. |
| to name a few. This piqued my curiosity and I decided | | | | The only response I received at the time of this |
| the next morning I would forgo my daily work plan and | | | | release was from the Ford Motor Company Customer |
| investigate this claim, that a half-ton Ford F-150 could in | | | | Relationship Center, regarding the maximum trailer |
| fact tow 11,000 pounds safely. | | | | weight of a 2007 Ford F-150. It read, "In an effort to |
| The first order of business was to check some | | | | assist you, we have researched on your inquiry. As |
| published towing guides to confirm Ford's claim. I | | | | per our resources, the maximum trailer weight in |
| started with the 2007 Ford Fleet Towing Guide. When | | | | pounds for a properly equipped F-150 without cargo is |
| I went to the section on half-ton trucks I discovered | | | | 10,500 pounds. Without another response from Ford I |
| that the highest published tow rating listed for a half-ton | | | | have to assume that this basic formula, which works in |
| F-150 was 10,500 pounds. Upon further examination I | | | | all other scenarios, is correct in this scenario. |
| found that there was only one F-150 truck, out of 56 | | | | Perhaps an even larger problem is, the consumer |
| configurations available, with this 10,500 pound rating. It | | | | doesn't really understand vehicle tow ratings and |
| was a regular cab 4X2, with a 144.5 inch wheelbase | | | | nobody on the vehicle manufacturing side of the house |
| and a 4.10 axle ratio. But wait there was a footnote, it | | | | is really attempting to educate consumers on this topic. |
| read that this truck also required a heavy duty payload | | | | I mean really, advertising an 11,000 pound tow rating to |
| package, and in parenthesis it said (late availability). I | | | | the masses when in reality only one version of the |
| don't know when this towing guide was published, or | | | | F-150, out of 56 available, can tow close to the |
| whether this heavy duty payload package was | | | | advertised weight. And sadly in the real world of |
| available at the time of this writing. | | | | towing it can't even do that. Let me explain. |
| Let's look at where we're at so far. Out of 56 | | | | When a manufacturer determines a tow rating it is |
| configurations between Ford F-150 half-ton regular cab, | | | | usually based on an empty vehicle, without many |
| supercab and supercrew trucks, two wheel drive, four | | | | options, and the weight of the driver. Most weights |
| wheel drive, short bed and long bed models with 3.55, | | | | used for the driver are listed at 150 pounds. I think the |
| 3.73 or 4.10 axle ratios there was only one F-150 | | | | last time I weighed 150 pounds was sometime in junior |
| half-ton truck rated to tow 10,500 pounds. The last | | | | high school. Here's how this tow thing really works. |
| time I checked a regular cab, two-wheel drive long | | | | You want to buy an F-150 to tow a Recreation |
| wheel base truck was not the favorite choice among | | | | Vehicle. For starters you want a supercab so there is |
| the masses in the truck buying category. | | | | room for the family. And of course you wouldn't be |
| But wait, there was another problem; the TV ad said | | | | caught dead without four wheel drive, and it has to be |
| Ford had a half-ton F-150 that could tow 11,000 pounds, | | | | a short wheelbase model. Next on the list, you want |
| not 10,500. Before wasting a lot of time, for no reason, I | | | | something that has decent fuel economy because you |
| decided to check a couple of other 2007 towing | | | | will be using it to drive to work when you're not towing |
| guides I had lying around to see if one of them could | | | | the trailer. So you compromise and go with a 4.6 Liter |
| clear up some of this confusion. The 2007 RV | | | | V-8 with a 3.55:1 axle ratio. Out of those 56 |
| Business Towing Guide listed 49, F-150 trucks in | | | | configurations of F-150 trucks you now have one to |
| various configurations, of which the highest tow rating | | | | choose from. That's right, one model meets your |
| was 9,900 pounds. Again it was a regular cab, | | | | criteria and the tow rating of your new F-150 is 6,000 |
| two-wheel drive with an 8 foot bed and a 5.4 liter V-8 | | | | pounds, not 11,000. |
| engine. There were two footnotes which called for an | | | | This takes us back to the empty truck with a driver |
| automatic transmission and a 4.10:1 axle ratio. The 2007 | | | | who weighs 150 pounds. Let's look at the real world |
| Trailer Life Annual Towing Guide listed the same 49, | | | | again. You have a wife and two children whose |
| F-150 configurations with the same model rated to tow | | | | combined weight is 330 pounds, being conservative. |
| 9,900 pounds. Now I was thoroughly confused. Can an | | | | The additional options you want on your truck like the |
| F-150 tow 9,900, 10,500 or 11,000 pounds? I decided I | | | | bed liner, brush guard and side steps added 150 |
| better contact somebody at Ford about the TV | | | | pounds, again being conservative. Now, do you plan to |
| commercial and find out what's going on. Who was | | | | put anything in the back of the truck when you go |
| right, the television ad or one of the published towing | | | | camping? Well it's a good place for the bikes and lawn |
| guides? | | | | chairs, and don't forget about your tool box. Since we |
| I searched and searched for any of the Ford | | | | have been conservative to this point we'll just add |
| representatives contact information who might quickly | | | | another 130 pounds for cargo. And the difference |
| clear this matter up, but soon discovered it was a | | | | between your actual weight and the 150 pound driver |
| challenge to get to the top. The closest thing I could | | | | is, let's say 40 pounds which in my case is still on the |
| come to was a Ford Public Relations phone number I | | | | conservative side. Now let's do the math. A 6,000 |
| stumbled across on the Internet. I spoke with a young | | | | pound tow rating minus 650 pounds of added weight |
| lady about my dilemma; she said she wasn't allowed to | | | | equals a 5,350 pound tow rating. You see, everything |
| give me her name. I explained the problem between | | | | you add on, or load in to the truck takes that same |
| the television ad and the published towing guides and | | | | amount away from the vehicles tow rating. |
| she told me that tow ratings are based on how the | | | | Oh and don't forget the tongue weight of the trailer |
| truck was equipped. I attempted to explain that I | | | | you're towing. Additional weight like tongue weight and |
| thoroughly understood this, but that this didn't answer | | | | other weight added to the vehicle cannot exceed any |
| my question. Her final response was for me to contact | | | | vehicle weight ratings like the Gross Axle Weight |
| a local Ford dealer and they would be able to answer | | | | Rating (GAWR) and the Gross Vehicle Weight Rating |
| all of my questions. Now I have been at this RV | | | | (GVWR). While were on the subject of weights, I |
| towing thing for quite some time, but for the benefit of | | | | mentioned another weight rating earlier that isn't talked |
| the doubt and to comply with the guidance I was given, | | | | about very often, the Gross Combined Weight Rating |
| I contacted a local Ford dealership. I'm glad I didn't have | | | | (GCWR). In the real world the GCWR is very |
| to pay for the phone call because what I already | | | | important when you are talking about towing because |
| suspected turned out to be right. I talked to the sales | | | | it is the maximum permissible weight of the fully loaded |
| department and the service department and nobody | | | | tow vehicle and the fully loaded trailer combined. If you |
| could tell me what the highest tow rating for a 2007 | | | | go to a set of scales and weigh the fully loaded truck |
| F150 was, based on any configuration. | | | | and the fully loaded trailer it cannot exceed the |
| I let things rest for a few days, so I could get caught | | | | GCWR of the tow vehicle. We can go one step |
| up on some work I was falling behind on. Low and | | | | further and say that regardless of the advertised tow |
| behold I saw the same commercial on TV again. Now | | | | rating if you subtract the curb weight of the vehicle |
| rather than just being curious I was starting to be | | | | (plus any added weight) from the tow vehicle's |
| concerned about the huge audience watching this | | | | GCWR it will give you the amount of weight the |
| same commercial advertisement. The next morning I | | | | vehicle can actually tow. In our last example the |
| did some research on the Internet. I soon discovered | | | | GCWR for the truck in our example was 11,500. The |
| this commercial was part of the Ford Challenge | | | | curb weight was about 5,360 plus our added weight of |
| advertising campaign. They even have a website for it. | | | | 650 pounds. But don't forget to subtract the 150 pound |
| Take the challenge. See why Ford is the better choice. | | | | driver. So our truck can tow 5,340 pounds before it |
| I'm sure you have probably seen some of the other | | | | exceeds the GCWR. The GCWR takes all factors |
| Ford challenge commercials involving the Ford Fusion | | | | into consideration, unlike the vehicle tow rating. Head to |
| and the Ford Expedition. Basically, the Ford Challenge | | | | the scales to find out how things stack up in the real |
| advertising highlights some of the vehicles features and | | | | world of towing. |
| capabilities as compared to its competition. The F-150 | | | | It doesn't stop here; there are many other things to |
| boasts best-in-class payload and towing. | | | | consider. For example the hitch receiver on the back |
| In an attempt to be fair, and not make judgment, I tried | | | | of the tow vehicle has a weight rating too. The truck |
| for a second time to contact somebody at Ford who | | | | might be able to tow 5,340 pounds, but if the receiver |
| might clear this matter up. This time I had to settle for | | | | is rated for 5,000 pounds that's the most you can tow. |
| sending an email to a customer service department | | | | You see everything in the towing system is based on |
| under the listing of sales and advertising. Ten days | | | | the weakest link in the system. |
| later I received a response from the Ford Motor | | | | As you can see there is a lot more involved with tow |
| Company Customer Relationship Center regarding the | | | | ratings than a television commercial advertising a fully |
| maximum trailer weight of a 2007 Ford F-150. It read, | | | | boxed frame. I could write an entire book on the topic. |
| "In an effort to assist you, we have researched on | | | | Well, actually I did. Much more information is available in |
| your inquiry. As per our resources, the maximum trailer | | | | my book, The RV Book, and DVD titled Trailer Towing, |
| weight in pounds for a properly equipped F-150 without | | | | Weights, Hitchwork & Backing, available at |
| cargo is 10,500 pounds." There was no mention of the | | | | All I really know is the last trailer I owned weighed in at |
| advertised 11,000 pound rating in the e-mail response. | | | | about 7,300 pounds when it was loaded to go |
| Now I thought I really need to contact somebody at | | | | camping. My ¾ ton truck at the time had a tow |
| Ford for an explanation. As a third attempt I went to | | | | rating of 8,800 pounds and I was below the GCWR. |
| This is where all of the media types can access | | | | Towing the trailer was not always a pleasurable |
| information not readily available to the general public. I | | | | experience. I get nervous when I hear about a ½ |
| registered, listed my credentials and was granted | | | | ton truck capable of towing 11,000 pounds, don't you? |
| access. After researching the media site I called the | | | | Here is my Ford Challenge to Ford. Let me review this |
| point of contact for a press release referencing the | | | | one ½ ton F-150 that can tow 11,000 pounds. I'll |
| F-150 11,000 pound rating, but never heard back. Next I | | | | hook it up to an 11,000 pound trailer, take a test drive |
| contacted Ford's Manager for North American | | | | and write a review. If I'm wrong about my doubts that |
| Marketing and Sales Communications by e-mail. I didn't | | | | it can tow an 11,000 pound trailer safely and |
| get a response for over a week, so I called and left a | | | | effortlessly I'll be the first to admit it. I'll keep checking |
| voice mail message. I still haven't heard anything at the | | | | my e-mail, but won't get my hopes up. |
| time of this writing. Personally I would think somebody | | | | I'll leave you with a few thoughts to ponder: |
| at Ford would want to clear this matter up. | | | | 1) Don't let commercial advertising plant a seed that all |
| After some additional research it was my opinion, and | | | | F-150 trucks can tow 11,000 pounds, when in fact only |
| my opinion only, that when Ford got wind of the 2007 | | | | one model is rated for 10,500, at least that's what the |
| Toyota Tundra's offering of a 5.7 Liter V-8 with 381 | | | | Ford towing guide says. And then do the math and |
| horsepower and 401 lb-ft of torque, they felt | | | | see what that one truck can tow in the real world. |
| threatened a bit. Early on, this year, Toyota stated this | | | | 2) Are truck manufacturers crossing a fine line with |
| half-ton truck would have tow ratings of 10,000+ | | | | advertised tow ratings? I have been involved in a few |
| pounds. An 2007 Toyota Tundra review stated that a | | | | legal cases, as an expert witness, where people were |
| properly equipped 4X2 regular cab Tundra can tow up | | | | paralyzed and killed. The common factor in these |
| to 10,800 pounds. This would have been the highest | | | | cases involved improperly matched tow vehicles and |
| tow ratings in its class for 2007. According to | | | | trailers. Don't depend on automobile dealerships and |
| Autodata, Ford saw its F-Series sales slip 14 percent in | | | | RV dealerships to always give you 100% accurate |
| the first quarter of 2007. Was the Ford claim of 11,000 | | | | information. Do your homework before purchasing a |
| pounds a result of not being outdone? Not losing sales | | | | tow vehicle and trailer. |
| to its competition? After all, Ford trucks have been the | | | | 3) Are RV manufacturers building trailers too heavy |
| king of the hill for quite some time. | | | | for today's trucks? Is this the reason for increased |
| I found it interesting that in 2004, 2005 and 2006 the | | | | tow ratings? If a trailer has a GVWR that is higher |
| highest tow rating for an F-150 was 9,900 pounds. In | | | | than the tow rating of your vehicle it is a mismatch. If |
| August of 2006 Ford announced the 2007 F-150 was | | | | you load the trailer to its GVWR you will exceed your |
| capable of towing 10,500, and in January 2007 it was | | | | tow vehicle rating. |
| increased to 11,000 pounds. The only difference | | | | 4) At this rate what will happen with tow ratings by |
| between these trucks, to justify this increase, is a fully | | | | 2010? |
| boxed frame?? | | | | UPDATE: 1 JUNE 2007 |
| Vehicles go through rigorous testing to determine tow | | | | After numerous attempts to contact Ford |
| ratings. There are many factors involved like engine | | | | representatives and after writing this article I was finally |
| size, transmission, wheelbase, axle ratio, brakes, cooling | | | | contacted by the Ford Public Relations Group, Ford |
| systems, tow packages and much more. The problem | | | | Truck Commercial Manager. I believe that was his title. |
| that I see with tow ratings is that even though there | | | | He claimed that the Gross Combined Weight Rating |
| are many factors involved and there is rigorous testing | | | | for the half-ton truck in question was raised from |
| involved, there is no set standard to measure these | | | | 15,800 pounds to 16,400 pounds, as of 31 May 2007. It |
| things against, at least not that I'm aware of. | | | | was originally 15,300 pounds, then 15,800 and now |
| Let's take a look at some actual specifications | | | | 16,400. I questioned what changed on the vehicle to |
| between the Ford F-150 and the Toyota Tundra and | | | | account for the latest increase in the GCWR and was |
| then we'll do the math. The Ford F-150 in question has | | | | told the shackle and bumper attachments were |
| a 5.4L V-8 engine with 300 horsepower @ 5,000 RPM | | | | improved and something about the unique tires the |
| and 365 lb-ft @ 3,750 RPM. The Toyota Tundra has a | | | | truck had. He also informed me that the truck passed |
| 5.7 L V-8 engine with 381 horsepower @ 5,600 RPM | | | | the same rigorous truck durability testing cycle that all |
| and 401 lb-ft @ 3,600 RPM. Both have a 4.10:1 rear | | | | Fords trucks are put through to determine its |
| axle ratio. Ford advertises a tow rating of 11,000 | | | | capabilities. On more than one occasion he mentioned |
| pounds and Toyota advertises a tow rating of 10,800. | | | | that Ford was not just manipulating the numbers. One |
| The F-150 has a Gross Combined Weight Rating | | | | problem I still see is that there is no standardized |
| (GCWR) of 15,800 pounds and the Tundra has a | | | | testing for vehicles to determine tow capacities, so |
| GCWR of 16,000 pounds. It's interesting that the | | | | basically it is left to the manufacturer to determine |
| Toyota has the higher horsepower, torque and | | | | ratings. I still have my doubts about any half-ton truck |
| GCWR, but a lower tow rating! | | | | being able to safely tow 11,000 pounds, but for the |
| Let's look at a simple formula used to determine | | | | record Ford finally came forward and said their truck |
| vehicle tow ratings. The GCWR is the maximum | | | | can do it. I'll let you, the consumer, be the judge. |
| permissible weight of the fully loaded vehicle and the | | | | Readers comments: |
| fully loaded trailer combined. So if we take the GCWR | | | | Happy Camping |
| minus the vehicle curb weight (the actual weight of the | | | | Mark Polk |
| truck, less passengers and cargo) we know how | | | | Copyright 2007 by Mark J. Polk owner rveducation101. |
| much weight the truck can tow. In our example we will | | | | |