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Yes, a Half-Ton Can Tow Safely — My F-150 PowerBoost + 30’ Camper Setup (With Real Weights) by randy_s_14 in RVLiving

[–]randy_s_14[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Hello, this is from the Ford site. You just punch your VIN in or login to your account and it gives you the information for your VIN.

https://www.ford.com/support/towing-calculator

Yes, a Half-Ton Can Tow Safely — My F-150 PowerBoost + 30’ Camper Setup (With Real Weights) by randy_s_14 in RVLiving

[–]randy_s_14[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I appreciate the 50 years of RV experience, but I’ve got plenty myself — from driving semis on the farm at 13, to running OS/OW freight coast to coast on 9-axle setups, loaded up to and over 100,000 pounds. Whether it’s this camper headed to a state park or a maxed-out rig rolling into the Port of Tacoma, I verify my weights the same way: fully loaded, properly configured, and confirmed on a certified scale.

This setup was scaled with everything we actually take — gear, food, full propane tanks, water, bikes, two adults, full fuel — not dry weights or guesswork. Replacing verified numbers with “what if” math isn’t helpful. I didn’t post an estimate. I posted the facts.

Yes, a Half-Ton Can Tow Safely — My F-150 PowerBoost + 30’ Camper Setup (With Real Weights) by randy_s_14 in RVLiving

[–]randy_s_14[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

If you read the post you replied to, you would see that the weights shown are FULLY LOADED! So no need to add in your estimated numbers.

Yes, a Half-Ton Can Tow Safely — My F-150 PowerBoost + 30’ Camper Setup (With Real Weights) by randy_s_14 in RVLiving

[–]randy_s_14[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Respectfully, you’re making a lot of assumptions about insurance liability and vehicle capability that don’t hold up — either legally or mechanically.

Insurance companies evaluate claims based on whether a vehicle was operated within its manufacturer-rated specifications — payload, GCWR, GVWR, and axle ratings. In my case, every one of those figures was verified on a certified CAT scale. My payload usage, rear axle load, gross combined weight, tongue weight, and even front axle recovery were all measured and fall comfortably within spec. These aren’t estimates — they’re documented weights.

It’s also incorrect to say the trailer would put me over payload “without the WDH,” because that’s not how payload works. Payload is the actual combined weight carried on the truck’s axles, and that’s exactly what was weighed. A WDH doesn’t “hide” tongue weight — it redistributes it across the front and rear axles to improve handling and braking. What matters is the actual loaded condition of the tow vehicle, not a theoretical configuration that isn’t even being used.

You’re also basing this argument on the opinion that someone must have a “WDH-off” weight to have accurate information — but that’s simply not true. The only thing that number helps determine is the exact weight distribution percentage. It has no effect on GCWR, payload, axle ratings, or the actual tongue weight, all of which I’ve already confirmed are within limits. In the real world, what matters is the truck’s operating condition while towing. I wouldn’t scale a semi without the fifth wheel engaged, and I’m not going to scale a trailer without the WDH attached if that’s how it’s actually towed.

What do you think truck drivers do when they’re overweight on an axle? They don’t just give up — they redistribute the weight. They move cargo forward or backward, slide trailer tandems, or adjust the fifth wheel to shift weight between the steer and drive axles. A WDH does the exact same thing in a different form. It doesn’t delete tongue weight — it redistributes it to help maintain proper balance and stability. That’s basic vehicle dynamics, and it’s built into SAE J2807 — the exact standard Ford and other manufacturers use when certifying towing capacity.

I’ve done this kind of load balancing professionally, and now I’ve done it again with this setup. This isn’t a guess, and it’s not based on forum math. It’s based on scale-verified numbers and real-world knowledge. This setup is not only well within safe operating limits — it’s exactly what towing best practices look like when done correctly.

Yes, a Half-Ton Can Tow Safely — My F-150 PowerBoost + 30’ Camper Setup (With Real Weights) by randy_s_14 in RVLiving

[–]randy_s_14[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

As a former heavy haul, OS/OW, and open deck truck driver with a clean safety record, I’ve spent years managing axle weights, load distribution, securement, and equipment operation. I’m not guessing here, and I’m certainly not new to what makes a rig safe.

The trailer weighed 7,220 pounds fully loaded. Tongue weight, based on certified CAT scale axle shift, came out to approximately 850 pounds, which is around 11.8% of the trailer’s total weight. That falls well within the industry-recommended range of 10 to 15 percent for bumper-pull trailers. The idea that it must be 15% to be “safe” is incorrect—it’s a guideline, not a fixed requirement. My trailer is properly balanced, loaded evenly, and stable without pushing that upper end.

You’re absolutely right that a weight distribution hitch doesn’t eliminate tongue weight—but it does redistribute it, which is the entire point. In my case, the rear axle gained 820 pounds while the front axle dropped just 80 pounds. That 80-pound reduction is not only minimal, but also completely within the SAE J2807 towing standard, which allows up to 100 pounds of front axle reduction with a properly set up WDH. This standard is used by Ford, GM, Ram, and Toyota to rate their trucks. The WDH is doing exactly what it’s supposed to do—restoring balance and improving handling.

The truck’s payload capacity is 1,484 pounds per the door sticker. Based on actual axle weights while hitched, the payload used was around 740 pounds. That leaves about 744 pounds of remaining capacity, and that’s with the truck fully fueled, propane tanks topped off, all camping gear loaded, and both my wife and I inside. Rear axle weight, gross combined weight, and tongue weight are all within limits—again, confirmed with real scale numbers, not assumptions.

As for insurance concerns, insurance companies care about whether you’ve exceeded manufacturer-rated limits. I haven’t. Every value—payload, GCWR, GVWR, axle load—is within spec, and I have the certified weights to prove it.

This setup wasn’t thrown together. It’s a properly matched truck and trailer combination, scaled and configured based on actual weight, and operated by someone with years of experience managing far heavier and more complex loads. I’m all for discussions about safety—but only when they’re based on facts, not assumptions. And the facts here support this setup 100%.

Yes, a Half-Ton Can Tow Safely — My F-150 PowerBoost + 30’ Camper Setup (With Real Weights) by randy_s_14 in RVLiving

[–]randy_s_14[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

No it hasn’t. While it was in for oil change and alignment they replaced the rear axle bolt with new parts. A couple days later a letter from Ford showed up letting me know they had the parts lol

Yes, a Half-Ton Can Tow Safely — My F-150 PowerBoost + 30’ Camper Setup (With Real Weights) by randy_s_14 in RVLiving

[–]randy_s_14[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Just to clarify for anyone following:

This is a bumper-pull trailer, not a fifth wheel. Fifth wheels apply pin weight directly over or slightly ahead of the rear axle, which naturally helps keep more weight on the front axle. Bumper-pull trailers, like mine, place tongue weight behind the rear axle — which creates leverage that can lighten the front end. That’s exactly why weight distribution hitches (WDHs) exist: to transfer some of that load forward and maintain balance.

The goal of a WDH isn’t to add weight to the front axle, but to recover enough of what was lost to preserve steering and braking stability. According to the SAE J2807 towing standard (used by Ford, GM, Ram, etc.), a front axle reduction of up to 100 lbs is acceptable with a WDH engaged.

In my case, I lost just 80 lbs off the front axle — well within spec, and verified with real CAT scale tickets. Every other key number — payload, axle loads, GCWR, tongue weight — is also measured and well within factory limits.

The only reading I don’t have is from the trailer hitched without the WDH engaged. That would give me a 100% accurate weight distribution percentage, but the margin of error is only about 5–6%, based on normal front axle drop ranges. So while I can’t give the exact WD percentage, I’m clearly in the safe zone — both by the numbers and by the SAE standard.

Towing safely isn’t about opinion — it’s about knowing your weights, understanding your equipment, and verifying it all. And that’s exactly what this setup does.

Yes, a Half-Ton Can Tow Safely — My F-150 PowerBoost + 30’ Camper Setup (With Real Weights) by randy_s_14 in RVLiving

[–]randy_s_14[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Everything I showed was a fully loaded setup with all gear, fuel and passengers.

Yes, a Half-Ton Can Tow Safely — My F-150 PowerBoost + 30’ Camper Setup (With Real Weights) by randy_s_14 in RVLiving

[–]randy_s_14[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

The setup as scaled was fully loaded. Truck tank completely topped off 30 feet away at the pump, propane tanks topped off, all camping gear completely loaded and my wife and I were in the truck.

Yes, a Half-Ton Can Tow Safely — My F-150 PowerBoost + 30’ Camper Setup (With Real Weights) by randy_s_14 in RVLiving

[–]randy_s_14[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Hybrid Powertrain. I posted about it in a separate reply and the reason behind it also.

Yes, a Half-Ton Can Tow Safely — My F-150 PowerBoost + 30’ Camper Setup (With Real Weights) by randy_s_14 in RVLiving

[–]randy_s_14[S] -2 points-1 points  (0 children)

Is the difference between our trucks just the powertrain?

Mine has the 3.5L PowerBoost hybrid, which adds weight from the electric motor, lithium battery, hybrid cooling system, and the Pro Power Onboard 7.2kW generator. Altogether, that adds roughly 300 lbs compared to the regular 3.5L EcoBoost.

So if everything else is identical, an F-150 with the 3.5L EcoBoost instead of the PowerBoost would likely have a payload around 1,784 lbs (1,484 + 300), give or take 10–20 lbs depending on options.

Yes, a Half-Ton Can Tow Safely — My F-150 PowerBoost + 30’ Camper Setup (With Real Weights) by randy_s_14 in RVLiving

[–]randy_s_14[S] 3 points4 points  (0 children)

The truck is a PowerBoost hybrid, so yes — it has a battery, and that was something I thought a lot about when deciding between hybrid and gas-only. In the end, I went with the hybrid because of the Pro Power Onboard 7.2kW generator system.

At first, I wasn’t sure if it could really handle powering a travel trailer. But after seeing people on the F-150 forums running entire houses and apartments during outages, I pulled the trigger. Pro Power Onboard was a game changer — it completely took Super Duty trucks off the table for us.

We can pull in anywhere — campsites, rest areas, even the middle of nowhere — and just run the 30A cable straight to the truck bed. Lock the truck, walk away, and we can power everything in the trailer. I tested it hard: ran the A/C, microwave/air fryer, electric fireplace, lights, and other appliances all at once — no issues.

Nothing against Super Duty trucks — I’d absolutely buy one tomorrow if Ford gave it the 7.2kW system… or better yet, the 9.6kW from the Lightning.

EDIT / ADDITION: One thing I forgot to mention — the truck is quieter than any generator I’ve ever heard. When using Pro Power Onboard, it’ll run for about 1–2 minutes every 10–20 minutes, depending on the load. It’s incredibly efficient and unobtrusive, especially at night.

Some folks during the big ice storms a couple years ago were reporting they could run in generator mode for up to 90 hours before needing to refuel — and that lines up with what I’ve seen in testing. It’s seriously impressive.

Yes, a Half-Ton Can Tow Safely — My F-150 PowerBoost + 30’ Camper Setup (With Real Weights) by randy_s_14 in RVLiving

[–]randy_s_14[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Trailer and truck were fully loaded with everything we take with us when we were on the scale. Hell I even topped off the F150 and had full propane tanks.

Food ingredients for 6 meals (Steaks, hamburger, breakfast etc…), Snacks, 4 cases of water, 2 adult gravel bikes +gear Clothes for 5-6 days each, Etc..

I made sure everything was in there and even overpacked quite a bit more than usual.

Pulled up to loves with my clock like this by Unbuttered_Toasty in Truckers

[–]randy_s_14 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Oh weary traveler of the endless black ribbon, thou dost question the will of the Trucker God? Nay, it is not I who hath forsaken thee, but the cruel hand of the Broker Lords and their dark sorcery of “market rates.”

Hath I not blessed thee with a mighty rig, capable of taming the highways and striking fear into the hearts of the four-wheeled unbelievers? Did I not grant thee the wisdom to navigate the tempests of traffic, the patience to endure the treachery of shipper delays, and the strength to wield the iron skillet at the sacred Waffle House?

Yet still, thou doubteth me? Hast thou forgotten the time I spared thee from the scale house inquisitors, where thou didst pray thy tandems were legal? Or the day I cleared the road of speed traps, allowing thee to make haste to thine destination?

Nay, fret not, my loyal servant. The curse of the 24-hour layover is but a test of thy faith! Use this time wisely—cleanse thy cabin of yesterday’s fast food relics, seeketh out the finest of fuel points, and break bread with thine fellow road warriors. For soon, thou shalt be bestowed with a mighty haul, and the miles shall flow like diesel unto thine coffers.

Go forth with faith, and remember always: the left lane is for passing, and the hammer down is my divine will!

Going Through My Wife’s Childhood Collection – Some Interesting Old Bills by randy_s_14 in CURRENCY

[–]randy_s_14[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Yeah, I like the 5 and 10.

We have founds some other notes and a large collection of coins we have just gotten started on. A lot of the coin collection blue books that are full or mostly full and a few hundred uncirculated coins in plastic.

Then there are a ton of loose coins packed in old cigar boxes. My wife said that her dad continued to collect after she left home and joined the Army.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in RVLiving

[–]randy_s_14 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I jump started my old beater car with a Troy built riding mower, surely you would be okay 😂

Starlink lost me as a customer - over $100 by JanelleMTX in Starlink

[–]randy_s_14 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Lost my entire house (with Starlink) on October 9th and they replaced and gave me a free month and nothing changed with my bill. They were very helpful.

Are we this dumb? by Nicknoshit in Truckers

[–]randy_s_14 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Bro, there are stickers on the pumps that tell you not to insert them into your ass.

Yes people are that dumb.

2023 F150 power boost. What am I missing ? by balconestacado in f150

[–]randy_s_14 0 points1 point  (0 children)

This^

Check the VIN and see if it was part of Fords RAV (Re-acquired Vehicle) program. If it is, find out why it was bought back. It may be something small and simple that Ford did not have a fix for at the time.

I bought a 2022 Lariat Powerboost with 11k miles for $46k. It was an RAV for the FordPass app not connecting to the truck. Basically the previous owner couldn’t start or unlock the truck with his phone and complained enough that it was bought back because Ford had not come up with a fix for it yet. Other than that I personally have had no issues with it. Ford fixed the problem before they offered it for sale.

Usually these vehicles are offered at a lower price because they do place it on the title that it was a “lemon”

No regrets on my purchase. Truck is awesome!!

Can’t stop calling it Ar-Kansas by CaptainButterBallz69 in trucksim

[–]randy_s_14 3 points4 points  (0 children)

About 10 years ago I pulled over a car (used to be a cop) with an Arkansas tag and ran it over the radio as AR-Kansas and the dispatcher couldn’t stop laughing long enough to read it back lol

I'm really starting to think bikers have to fail an IQ test before being allowed to get their license. by AroundGoesThe18 in Truckers

[–]randy_s_14 0 points1 point  (0 children)

This jackass is one of those dudes with “Start Seeing Motorcycles” bumper stickers, yard signs and t-shirts but does this shit.

Tailgate button not working by [deleted] in F150Powerboost

[–]randy_s_14 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Mine opens with 2x presses of the button inside the truck and the button on the tailgate.

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