F150 tow R5, R6, or R7?

[bruceb58]

The Ford F-150 Heavy Duty payload package has a completely different hitch than the one on other F150s which have the Max Tow. A lot of things affect how the hitch is rated including it's mounting points. In the case of the F-150 with the HDPP, it uses a completely different bumper support that the max tow. I know because I was almost going to buy it before I went and sprung for a 3/4T.

My tongue weight is 600# verified with my Sherline scale with basically a dry tank and nothing else in the boat.

PXL_20210111_194133652-453x604.jpg

[NautiGirl]

The Ford F-150 Heavy Duty payload package has a completely different hitch than the one on other F150s which have the Max Tow. A lot of things affect how the hitch is rated including it's mounting points. In the case of the F-150 with the HDPP, it uses a completely different bumper support that the max tow. I know because I was almost going to buy it before I went and sprung for a 3/4T.

My tongue weight is 600# verified with my Sherline scale with basically a dry tank and nothing else in the boat.

PXL_20210111_194133652-453x604.jpg

Bruce - Interesting you bring up the F150 HDPP. It's for sure a unicorn that Ford has made more and more difficult to purchase in recent years. As I am sure you know, the package and its availability has also changed a lot across generations. At one time it may have included a different hitch, I think OP was in a 2012 and I dont have info on the package for that year, but for the 14th Gen trucks its the same hitch / bumper assembly as the Max Tow package.

Attached is a parts diagram of the bumper reinforcement for a 14th Gen XL truck. I picked an XL because as of the 14th Gen the XL is the only trim that can be optioned /w the HDPP package. There are three options, No Tow Package, Trailer Tow Package which is option package 53A or 53B and then MaxTow which is option Pack 53C. The MaxTow / HDPP hitch is easy to pick out because the attachment points for the chains are angled outward instead of straight across the hitch.

All HDPP trucks include Max Tow by default, and get a higher GVWR due to some frame differences which results in the crazy payload numbers. However, the hitch and the weight carrying capacity ratings are the same across all Max Tow Builds including HDPP trucks. So even with a HDPP you are still at 500/5000 weight carrying.

Also, in previous generations the HDPP package used a different semi float axle that was 7 lug compared to the 6 lug design of the standard axle. For the 14th Gen the Max Tow Trucks, The PowerBoost Trucks, and the HDPP trucks all use the 9.75in Semi Float Axle design.

Towing (1).JPG

[bruceb58]

At least for my truck, which is a 2018, there was a heavier duty hitch available for the HDPP model. I know a person who owns the the HDPP. I will have him take a picture of his hitch rating. You may be right...I never set eyes on one to know for sure the rating.

At one time, I had the part numbers and a quote from a dealer for the heavier duty hitch. Since I went with a 3/4T truck, not sure where I put that info.

When I started towing my R5, I debated getting a Class V hitch either with an aftermarket or the Ford one. In the end, I opted to just use a WDH since the TW was 600#(minimum) and estimated total towing weight was over 6000#(estimated)...both over the hitch rating. I know it's close but I felt better just going with the WDH. It takes me 10 minutes or less to put the bars on.

On my older boat which was a 24' Wellcraft, I also opted to use a WDH. The towing experience was way better with the WDH. I was towing it on 1000 mile round trips.

[bruceb58]

However, the hitch and the weight carrying capacity ratings are the same across all Max Tow Builds including HDPP trucks. So even with a HDPP you are still at 500/5000 weight carrying.

You are correct...his has the 500/5000 weight carry spec. Glad I never bothered "upgrading"

[NautiGirl]

However, the hitch and the weight carrying capacity ratings are the same across all Max Tow Builds including HDPP trucks. So even with a HDPP you are still at 500/5000 weight carrying.

You are correct...his has the 500/5000 weight carry spec. Glad I never bothered "upgrading"

Yup, you're on the same F150 forums I am, huge debate, but the 500/5000lb rating isn't a limit of the hitch its a limit of the F150 platform. Upgrading the hitch doesn't change the fact that putting weight on the tongue takes weight off the front wheels.

The 500lb limit is Ford trying to keep enough weight on the front axle to not reduce steering and braking. They then assumed 10% on the tongue and came up with 5,000lb max trailer weight w/o a WDH.

At least thats what I tell myself to justify pulling an R5 /w an F150

[bruceb58]

At least thats what I tell myself to justify pulling an R5 /w an F150

I bought my boat beginning of 2021. I pulled it from Las Vegas to Los Angeles without a WDH. I didn't really like the way it pulled...I could tell the front axle was light. The WDH was a big improvement.

I love towing with my 3/4T. No WDH with the Cobalt although I still use a WDH with my travel trailer with 800# of tongue. The WDH with the travel trailer helps with sway.

[NautiGirl]

At least thats what I tell myself to justify pulling an R5 /w an F150

I bought my boat beginning of 2021. I pulled it from Las Vegas to Los Angeles without a WDH. I didn't really like the way it pulled...I could tell the front axle was light. The WDH was a big improvement.

I love towing with my 3/4T. No WDH with the Cobalt although I still use a WDH with my travel trailer with 800# of tongue. The WDH with the travel trailer helps with sway.

Totally understand. I weighed the R5 on its current trailer last weekend. I knew it was bad, its on a universal trailer the previous owner only used for winter storage and the tandems are way too far back. I had no idea it was as bad as it was. Its 850 - 875 on the tongue.

So here is my dilemma.

We have already ordered a new custom trailer, it is about 3 weeks out from being delivered. We head to the lake for the 4th of July then we are not down prior to when the new trailer should be delivered. I expect the new trailer to be closer to 600lb tongue weight as the axles will be centered under the boat correctly.

We tow the boat literally 10 miles round trip to the ramp. Its five miles each way all back roads no more than 30mph.

My F150 is a max tow and is rated to 1,400 tongue 14,000 total - yes with a WDH I get it - but 1,400lbs has to put at least 850lbs on the hitch and rear axle so I dont think I am going to snap the receiver off.

The boat is obviously taking a ton of weight off the front of the truck, and its got to be close on Rear axle rating also. I do have the new 9.75 semi float rear rated to 4,100lb.

I really don't want to buy and setup a WDH for a couple trips towing 10 miles.

I am debating sliding the rear axles on the trailer next weekend, its 4 U Bolts a side and the axles slide in a tray. Seems easy but as my wife said "you know you will mess something up if you try this". They need to slide about 12in to really be correct but I would take 6in just to get some weight off the truck. There are a couple brake lines in play but they should be ok. Figure I can unbolt it and then use a ratchet strap to the bow stop to pull them forward.

Final option do nothing tow it for one more weekend go 25mph and pray to not reverse curve my leaf springs. So far the truck seems fine, I should have weighed the tongue right when we bought the boat but I didn't. We towed it about 125 miles home, all back roads and were ok. Truck squats about 2.25in /w it on the ball.

We shall see how this weekend goes, but cant wait to get a new trailer.

[bruceb58]

If that is as far as you are going, I wouldn't worry about it one bit.

[NautiGirl]

If that is as far as you are going, I wouldn't worry about it one bit.

Most likely my choice to be honest. My Mother in Law and her twin sister are at the lake with us on the 4th weekend though so hanging out in the marina parking lot sliding axles on a trailer may be better than boating on that day.

I can't wait to see how much the proper trailer setup helps the tongue weight. Lets hope boatmate is on time /w the delivery date.

[mdadgar]

When I picked up my A25 in Rogers, AR, to tow it home to California, I measured the tongue weight with the Sherline scale I threw into my bag at the last minute.

250 lbs on the tongue.

This was my solution to get me home without visiting the roadside ditch.

tongueweight.jpg

Yay for sporting goods stores and ratchet straps.

And yeah, I called Pacific Trailers on the way home to order a custom trailer to fit this boat. Had the rear axles moved on this Venture trailer when I got back to hold me over until the new trailer was finished.

[NautiGirl]

When I picked up my A25 in Rogers, AR, to tow it home to California, I measured the tongue weight with the Sherline scale I threw into my bag at the last minute.

250 lbs on the tongue.

This was my solution to get me home without visiting the roadside ditch.


tongueweight.jpg


Yay for sporting goods stores and ratchet straps.

And yeah, I called Pacific Trailers on the way home to order a custom trailer to fit this boat. Had the rear axles moved on this Venture trailer when I got back to hold me over until the new trailer was finished.

That's amazing. I guess I should be thrilled we are too heavy and not too light.

I dont understand why its so difficult to find a boat with a decent trailer under it. We had all kinds of issues /w our 222 trailer when we first purchased it also.

While I am not thrilled about making an unexpected trailer purchase it will be nice to finally have a boat sitting on something new that I dont have to worry about.

[mdadgar]

While I am not thrilled about making an unexpected trailer purchase it will be nice to finally have a boat sitting on something new that I dont have to worry about.

That is 100% why I spent the money on a new custom trailer.

We have to tow every time we want to use the boat, so it was worth it to me.

[NautiGirl]

While I am not thrilled about making an unexpected trailer purchase it will be nice to finally have a boat sitting on something new that I dont have to worry about.

That is 100% why I spent the money on a new custom trailer.

We have to tow every time we want to use the boat, so it was worth it to me.

Same. We don't tow far but we do tow every weekend we boat. Custom is worth it for the ease of loading and unloading at the ramp alone.

3 weeks to go if boatmate makes their scheduled delivery date.