Ford F150 XLT Lariat 1990 V6 - we are shopping for a travel trailer and I found that our tow limit is between 5400-5800 lb. Does that mean just the trailer? What about a fully loaded cab (two adults and a child) plus a truck bed full of wood, a tent, coolers, etc. We can't find our original owner's manual and there seem to be a lot of criteria about the distribution of weight at the hitch etc. Where would I find information about this? Anyone know? Thank you.

 

That limit is all your stuff. And here is some info about the hitch.
http://www.reese-hitches.com/WD/weight-distribution.htm

 

Thanks. For safety's sake, that makes sense. I have been reading all the various threads about similar towing scenarios and it sounds like a lot of people tow over that number. I don't want our family or others to be in any danger by going over the limit. And its a for sure we'd load it down. Our Honda Odyssey can tow up to about 3000 lb with 6 in the van but mentioned having it weighed and the tongue weight checked with the trailer fully loaded with dishes, food, camping gear. Where can that be done? I think for the truck I would like to have an idea what the affect is full and on the tongue. Thx

 

The big affect will be with the go peddle. Most truck stops have a scale. They can tell you what each axle is, and its like $12.00 at one place I go. I wouldn't worry too much about the tongue weight, I'm not sure but I think my 21' toybox only has a tougue weight of like 900. I can tow it fine without the WD, it just porpoises.
What kinda TT you looking at??