CAT Scale numbers, would like some advice

[BigRedd]

2018 F150 - GVWR 7000, Front GAWR 3525, Rear GAWR 3800
2018 287BHSW - GVWR 8150, Axles 3500 each. Curb Weight with full propane 6382, payload 1768
GCVR Truck and Trailer 15,140
GCVR from Ford 16,200
Equalizer 1200 lbs TW WD Hitch

I went to the scale loaded for a 2 month road trip, with full water(80g). I wont list those numbers as I shifted a lot of stuff from the front to the back after I went on, and I started to dump water. Went for dinner as the water drained and ran across the scale a couple more times, here are the numbers( I calculated my tongue weight by adding the front and rear Hitched-no WD attached from my unhitched weight):

Unhitched
Front Axle 3,360
Rear Axle 2,880
Total 6,240

Hitched-no WD
Front 2,900
Rear 4,480
Trailer 6,960
TW 1,140
Total 14,340

Hitched-WD attached
Front 3,300 (under 60 lbs from unhitched weight)
Rear 3,880 (over 80 lbs for GAWR)
Trailer 7,140 (over 140 lbs for Combined TT GAWR)
TW 940
Total 14,340 (over my GVWR for the truck by 180 lbs)

GCVR Truck and Trailer 15,140
GCVR from Ford 16,200

I set up the WDH while the trailer was empty ( re-set it up actually, as the dealer had it all messed up), and I will drop a couple more washers in to try to get that last 60 lbs back to the front axle but it wont fix all my problems. My first question is regarding the GCVR of the truck and trailer. Although Jayco says I can have 8150 lbs in the trailer, the axles are only rated for 3500 lbs. I feel like it would be safer to assume my GCVR is 14,000 lbs, 7000 for the trailer and 7000 for the truck, as I will not be able to distribute 1150 to the truck. I feel like I could adjust my WDH to transfer that 80 lbs I am over on my Rear axle on the truck to the front and trailer axles but then I am already over on the trailer axles by 140 lbs. I could leave my wife and kids at home and that would get rid of the extra weight but they didn't like my joke.

Right now, with no water I feel I am 340 lbs over my assumed GCVR, but adding the GCVR of the truck and trailer I am under by 800 lbs. My batteries weigh in at 140 lbs, I cant believe I loaded 1578 lbs into this thing but those are the numbers I guess. Should I try to go over and weigh each trailer axle to see if what each axle is at, if that is possible? My tongue weight is sitting just under 14% before the WD is applied, and just under 12% when its applied but being over those weight ratings makes me nervous on the highway. I thought about moving the batteries to the rear bumper but that doesn't help my TT axles. If I can adjust the WDH to apply the load back to the Front Axle and off the rear, while only being 2% over on the TT axles, but under my TT and truck GCVR am I good if I go across a scale? I think I am rambling at this point so I will stop.

Thanks in advance for your input.

Thanks

[ShawnR]

You’re very close to my weights. Besides simply unloading some unnecessary gear I think a little creative packing and resupplying will get you closer to the gross combined you seek. I never haul a full tank of water, just a little. I’ve swapped my 30# propane bottles for 20’s, I’m planning to go to one battery since I don’t boondock. I never haul firewood. Lightweight plastics go in the truck, tools in the trailer. My wife packs things we never use so I’m taking them out and reminding her to be weight conscious. Last trip she packed a baby monitor and our SLR camera, neither of which we’ve used for a couple years. I pack less ammo. Lol

[SkyBound]

Your truck weight is 6240lbs and your GVWR is 7000lbs, so right of the bat you are limited to 760lbs of tongue weight. Removing weight from the truck, if possible, would be a good first step. Then, add a washer and see if you can get some of that weight onto the front axle of the truck. I am running 7 washers in an Equalizer 10K and my hitched and unhitched front axle weights are identical, according to the CAT scale.

[BigRedd]

I was just interested in seeing where I sat with full water, way over weight though. I only have 20 lb tanks, but I brought an extra which started in the back of the truck and then moved to the bathroom for the second attempt on the scale. We are going to be boondocking quite a bit, as BC provincial camp grounds don't have power. We do have a Honda eu2000i generator. But the stroller( since we have a bike trailer) extra propane, insta-pot, griddle, stoneware home dishes, griddle, tonneau cover and extra tools could solve our problem.

We have 3 yr old twins and a 6 month old, so we brought some stuff for them but it's pretty light. But all those nice to haves for a long trip will have to go. Not going to be glamping as much as my wife would like I guess.

Thanks for the info

[BigRedd]

Originally Posted by SkyBound

Your truck weight is 6240lbs and your GVWR is 7000lbs, so right of the bat you are limited to 760lbs of tongue weight. Removing weight from the truck, if possible, would be a good first step. Then, add a washer and see if you can get some of that weight onto the front axle of the truck. I am running 7 washers in an Equalizer 10K and my hitched and unhitched front axle weights are identical, according to the CAT scale.

The tonneau cover, extra propane and stroller are all we really have in the back of the truck. I like the tonneau as we can put the generator in the back to keep eyes off it but it might need to be sacrificed for sure. The extra tank is gone. I'll need to go across the scales again.

I only have 5 washers in it right now, so I will add a couple.

Thanks

[BigRedd]

I need to re-title my thread "I just packed to much crap the first time, I'll unpack some stuff and re-weigh", seems about right.

[ShawnR]

Originally Posted by BigRedd

I need to re-title my thread "I just packed to much crap the first time, I'll unpack some stuff and re-weigh", seems about right.

My wife and granddaughter wanted to paint and hide rocks so they packed rocks. I kid you not.

[BigRedd]

Originally Posted by ShawnR

My wife and granddaughter wanted to paint and hide rocks so they packed rocks. I kid you not.

Lol, the rocks at the campsite are not adequate, who doesn't know that.

[bankr63]

1500# does sound like a lot of stuff. We pack about 1000# for a family of 4 (2 teens).

You do need to start thinking about a long range strategy however. Those little kids start to grow quickly, and man do they add on weight. In 4 years they are going to be seriously eating into your GVWR, and reducing what's available for tongue weight.

In the interim, you might consider driving a second vehicle with the wife and kids. Yes it increases your fuel used probably requires a second vehicle permit, but it is probably more economical than trying to trade out of a 1 year old truck.

[BigRedd]

Originally Posted by bankr63

1500# does sound like a lot of stuff. We pack about 1000# for a family of 4 (2 teens).

You do need to start thinking about a long range strategy however. Those little kids start to grow quickly, and man do they add on weight. In 4 years they are going to be seriously eating into your GVWR, and reducing what's available for tongue weight.

In the interim, you might consider driving a second vehicle with the wife and kids. Yes it increases your fuel used probably requires a second vehicle permit, but it is probably more economical than trying to trade out of a 1 year old truck.

When I was searching for the truck I was really considering the max payload package, but the brochures said the standard trucks payload was 2k. With a 910lb empty TW I thought I would be ok, but having only 1700 actual payload kinda sucks. Hind sight is 20/20 right.

I didn't think about the growing kids either, in 5 years they'll be packing in the weight and bringing more stuff. We do have a second vehicle, and driving it in the future might be an option for sure. Mom and Dad could stand to lose a couple lbs too, lol.

[GL243]

Just curious, did you rule out a 267BHSW? Close to same floor plan, but without a U-shaped dinette which maybe was a deciding factor with your number of progeny, but would presumably have saved you about 600 lbs on dry weight for the TT part of the equation. That might not have reduced your tongue wt. enough, however?

[LittleBrother]

Originally Posted by BigRedd

2018 F150 - GVWR 7000, Front GAWR 3525, Rear GAWR 3800
2018 287BHSW - GVWR 8150, Axles 3500 each. Curb Weight with full propane 6382, payload 1768
GCVR Truck and Trailer 15,140
GCVR from Ford 16,200
Equalizer 1200 lbs TW WD Hitch

I went to the scale loaded for a 2 month road trip, with full water(80g). I wont list those numbers as I shifted a lot of stuff from the front to the back after I went on, and I started to dump water. Went for dinner as the water drained and ran across the scale a couple more times, here are the numbers( I calculated my tongue weight by adding the front and rear Hitched-no WD attached from my unhitched weight):

Unhitched
Front Axle 3,360
Rear Axle 2,880
Total 6,240

Hitched-no WD
Front 2,900
Rear 4,480
Trailer 6,960
TW 1,140
Total 14,340

Hitched-WD attached
Front 3,300 (under 60 lbs from unhitched weight)
Rear 3,880 (over 80 lbs for GAWR)
Trailer 7,140 (over 140 lbs for Combined TT GAWR)
TW 940
Total 14,340 (over my GVWR for the truck by 180 lbs)

GCVR Truck and Trailer 15,140
GCVR from Ford 16,200

I set up the WDH while the trailer was empty ( re-set it up actually, as the dealer had it all messed up), and I will drop a couple more washers in to try to get that last 60 lbs back to the front axle but it wont fix all my problems. My first question is regarding the GCVR of the truck and trailer. Although Jayco says I can have 8150 lbs in the trailer, the axles are only rated for 3500 lbs. I feel like it would be safer to assume my GCVR is 14,000 lbs, 7000 for the trailer and 7000 for the truck, as I will not be able to distribute 1150 to the truck. I feel like I could adjust my WDH to transfer that 80 lbs I am over on my Rear axle on the truck to the front and trailer axles but then I am already over on the trailer axles by 140 lbs. I could leave my wife and kids at home and that would get rid of the extra weight but they didn't like my joke.

Right now, with no water I feel I am 340 lbs over my assumed GCVR, but adding the GCVR of the truck and trailer I am under by 800 lbs. My batteries weigh in at 140 lbs, I cant believe I loaded 1578 lbs into this thing but those are the numbers I guess. Should I try to go over and weigh each trailer axle to see if what each axle is at, if that is possible? My tongue weight is sitting just under 14% before the WD is applied, and just under 12% when its applied but being over those weight ratings makes me nervous on the highway. I thought about moving the batteries to the rear bumper but that doesn't help my TT axles. If I can adjust the WDH to apply the load back to the Front Axle and off the rear, while only being 2% over on the TT axles, but under my TT and truck GCVR am I good if I go across a scale? I think I am rambling at this point so I will stop.

Thanks in advance for your input.

Thanks

It's amazing how quick it adds up. I'm pulling a 12' popup camper that Jayco says is 2200 lbs but somehow I'm rolling around just a hair over 3000 without water.... somehow I added 800lbs to a (relatively) small camper.

The GAWR is the load you can apply to the axle. CAT scale will tell you the load applied to the axle as well as the weight of the axle, wheels, tires and brakes which don't count toward GAWR. So you're very close but likely not over right now on any of your axles.

[SkyBound]

Originally Posted by BigRedd

The tonneau cover, extra propane and stroller are all we really have in the back of the truck. I like the tonneau as we can put the generator in the back to keep eyes off it but it might need to be sacrificed for sure. The extra tank is gone. I'll need to go across the scales again.

I only have 5 washers in it right now, so I will add a couple.

Thanks

Your GVWR is 7000lbs and your payload is 1700, which means your truck weighs 5300lbs empty. Somehow you have added 1000lbs before even hitching.

[BigRedd]

Originally Posted by SkyBound

Your GVWR is 7000lbs and your payload is 1700, which means your truck weighs 5300lbs empty. Somehow you have added 1000lbs before even hitching.

It was just the two adults, 3 kids and car seats, tonneau cover, 2 bikes, diaper bag and a double stroller. I am pretty sure I took the extra propane take out. I had the WDH and bars attached when I weighed. I know I have a couple lbs to lose but 1000 lbs seems a bit much from what was in it. I wonder if that counts for the 300 lbs of gas? I'll call Weight Watchers tomorrow.

[SkyBound]

LOL. On Fords, the CCC (cargo carrying capacity, or payload) includes a full tank of fuel. The thousand pounds you added is people/gear/accessories. I agree that it's crazy how fast it adds up. My truck has similar capability as yours; empty 6000lbs, 7700lb GVWR = 1700lbs payload. My tongue weight is 900lbs so I have 800lbs for people and gear. I will admit that I have ran 100-200lbs over the truck's GVWR at times... I have tons of supporting mods to enhance towing performance but I understand this doesn't change the numbers.

[SOMBATFAMILY]

Every one say CCC is the number to watch for but it is the lowest number that is made up. Axles and tires load rating are what I am more concerned about. You’ll be able to tell if you over load your TV suspensions. All the manufacturers only warrant their braking performance to the gross vehicle weight rating. I am not saying that you should over load your vehicle ccc by 1000# or more but a couple hundred pounds over won’t even be noticeable.

[ynpmoose]

Originally Posted by BigRedd

2018 F150 - GVWR 7000, Front GAWR 3525, Rear GAWR 3800

Are you 100% sure these numbers are right for your truck?
My 2016 Expedition is GVWR 7760, Front GAWR 3700, Rear GAWR 4300, and that has independent rear suspension, not a solid axle.
Unless you have the 2.7 EcoBoost instead of the 3.5?

[BigRedd]

Originally Posted by ynpmoose

Are you 100% sure these numbers are right for your truck?
My 2016 Expedition is GVWR 7760, Front GAWR 3700, Rear GAWR 4300, and that has independent rear suspension, not a solid axle.
Unless you have the 2.7 EcoBoost instead of the 3.5?

Ya the numbers are correct. Yours must have a heavy duty payload package. I shoulda done the same.

I packed a but smarter and got rid of some items, I'm probably going to go over the scale again some time this week

[Edd505]

get a 3/4 ton and you won't have to worry. A built F150 eco with all the upgrades costs more the a F250 gas.

[NYMarty]

I bought a 2011 F250 gasser when I upgraded to my current trailer in 2017.
Then last year upgraded to a 2013 F350 diesel when I was planning 2-3 halfway across country trips a year to visit my daughter added to our other planned excursions.
So when the mechanic quoted $7000.00 to fix my diesel truck and my daughter moved back to NY I decided to downsize.
Luckily I had spent years on the forums and knew that I wanted the max tow and heavy duty payload package to tow my trailer with a F150.
Even luckier still, my dealer found one 20 miles away on another dealers lot.
That gives me 7850 lbs GVWR, 4800 lbs RAWR, and 2509 lbs of payload.