The Ford F-150 is the most popular full-size truck ever and one of the most popular vehicles in America. And, as campers have become more popular than ever before, many people will use their trucks to tow a camper trailer for the first time. Before you take off for the great outdoors in your Ford F-150 and camper in tow, don’t assume it can haul whatever camper you have. 

What is the Ford F-150 towing capacity? 

This can be a tricky question to answer if you don’t know what you’re looking for. Thankfully, new trucks like the 2021 Ford F-150 are getting scales to tell you how much a truck can take. However, older model F-150s weren’t graced with such luxuries. 

According to RVknowhow, the simple and general answer is that the average Ford F-150 towing capacity will fall between 5,000-8,000 pounds. Of course, that range is highly dependent on engine size, rear-axle ratio, and the addition of available options. Understand, there are exceptions to this general weight range. 

Don’t get overwhelmed by the jargon

Part of learning how to tow a camper trailer safely is understanding what some of the common truck and towing terms are referencing. For instance, the term “half-ton” regarding a Ford F-150 or any other pickup truck isn’t referencing the truck’s weight. Most of these types of trucks can weigh anywhere from 5,000-7,000 pounds. 

Generally speaking, the half-ton term means that the suspension and bed can handle around a half-ton payload. This is important to know because the payload can directly affect the Ford F-150 towing capacity. 

Typically, the towing limit is set, assuming that there is no payload in the bed. So, if carrying gear and towing a camper trailer, be mindful of how much gear and passengers are in the truck. 

Speaking of payload, that technically refers to the weight capacity of the box and springs. However, this directly correlates to tongue weight which RVknowhow defines as “the amount of pressure or weight that the hitch places on the F-150 or any other towing vehicle.”

Tongue weight essentially means the pressure applied to the hitch itself. The overall weight of the camper trailer and how the weight is distributed all affect the pressure on the hitch. The higher the total weight is, and how much of that weight is being placed on the hitch, the higher the tongue weight is.

Lastly, a truck’s GCWR is essentially the entire weight rating of a truck and a trailer in tow. This figure should be found on a sticker inside the driver’s door. 

Can an F-150 tow a camper trailer safely?

The F-150 receives “best in class towing” year after year. But, what does that really mean? The hard towing numbers come down to the exact model and configuration of the F-150. From the base-model Ford F-150 XL to the top-of-the-line Raptor, Ford currently offers seven different trim levels for the F-150. 

The main things to keep in mind are the engine strength, axle ratio, and the overall length and weight of the truck. In addition, some models will offer an optional towing package that will add towing ability and safety features to your truck. Once these main factors are figured out, drivers need to find out how much the camper trailer weighs and proceed accordingly. 

Time to calculate your truck’s towing capacity

Now that the terms are understood, you can figure out your specific towing and payload capabilities. First, find the curb weight of the truck on the VIN. Then calculate the weight of fuel, passengers, and gear. After that, subtract that number by the GCWR from the inside of the door, and there you’ll have the towing capacity. 

The Ford F-150 covers a wide variety of truck types and configurations. The towing capacity range is enormous, and exceeding towing capacities can get very dangerous very fast.

Please don’t assume your F-150 can tow your camper. Do the research and figure out the proper towing capacity for your specific model and configuration.