Looking at the sales brochure a 2012 F150 SC LWB has a cargo capacity of 2,860 lbs with a GVW of 8200 with the 3.5 eco, that set up with the 3.73 rear end has a tow rating of 11300 lbs with a Gcombined weight rating of 17100 lbs, My 97 150 with the 4.6 tow package 355RE had a GCWR of 11000, they increased the GCWR by 6200 pounds, ignore the 3.73 since the truck now sports 18" tires which when compared to the 16" that my truck has still puts the rpm the same at the same speed. When I was buying the extended Expedition I was a little upset that the only rear end offered was the 3.73 since I was satisfied with the 3.55. Turns out the huge tires offset that plus the trans is a 6 speed with 4th and 5th gear overdrives with a tow haul mode

I have the same f150 as raamw. I bought it used, but before they went to the newer style F250 back then they made an f150 "heavy" which had a gvwr of 7000# I believe, as opposed to the 6000 on my 97' . In truth- with 600 to 700 tw and two passsengers and other stuff in the truck-I'm over most times on weight rating on the truck. In fact-the early 97 or 98 f250 (light) was only about 6800# gvwr, if I recall. A mechanic told me back then that there was a different axle, heavier springs, and bigger brakes on the F150 heavy/F250 light. I put class C tires on the truck when I was carrying around a slide in pop-up- which also put me over. I've got the tow package which includes a trans cooler and the guy before me ordered it with 17" tires as opposed to the standard 16s, though I don't know what difference it makes other than it throws off the speedometer. I've also got air springs on the back ---but those certainly don't increase the gvwr or axle rating. I doubt a couple hundred extra pounds is a deal breaker, alone, on the axle. But I always felt switching to a heavier tire was prudent and I wish I had bigger brakes. I do have an 8000# veh.tag on it, here in Wisconsin, so at least I can't get busted for that :rolleyes:

Compared to now, however, I would also be curious as to what they have done with newer f150s to kick the weight ratings. I assume a beefier axle must be part of it. Rick

Great discussion, people. I think someone needs to write an in-depth article for Trailer Life that covers all these topics so more RVers, from novice to experienced, realize how important these ratings are and how to determine the right vehicle to trailer match up. I did a search on Tundra and the F-150 trucks. After comparing Tundra to my Tacoma I realized there wasn't enough of a difference between the two to justify going that route. Now the 150 surprised me by the range of differences between all the models and all the choices of drives, transmissions, rear-ends, etc. So you can't just go by the F-xxx nomenclature. Some of those 150s would outdo a 250 or more.