How much can I haul?

Written By Levi Hefner

In preparation I was thinking about how much payload I can carry depending on how heavy the trailer is. I was also deciding whether to purchase a single axle (limited to 3,500 lb) or a tandem axle. Spoiler: I think a single axle is the way to go.

Anyway, I created a chart showing the relationship between payload capacity and trailer weight to better illustrate how much payload I can carry, and how heavy of a trailer I can haul.

But first, some primer material. There are four limits in play.

  • Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR): The max weight of the Maverick, including payload inside the cabin and in the bed (passengers, luggage, cargo, etc.). It's important to note that it also includes the tongue weight of the trailer as this weight is loaded onto the Maverick's axles.

  • Gross Combined Weight Rating (GCWR): The max combined weight of the Maverick (including payload) and the trailer being towed.

  • Payload Capacity Limit: The max payload capacity imposed by Ford. For the Maverick, this is nominally 1,500 lb. I say nominally because depending on the options selected in the build the payload capacity limit will likely be less. The actual number for a given vehicle will be on the door sticker, but I’m gonna use 1,500 lb for now.

  • Towing Capacity Limit: The max towing weight imposed by Ford. For the 4k tow package...this is 4,000 lb. Without the 4k tow package it's 2,000 lb but since I ordered the 4k tow package that's what I’m considering here.

I couldn't find a reported GVWR, but Ford publishes the base curb weight, the payload capacity, and the GCWR. With this info, it's easy enough to calculate the GVWR.

Ford reports the base curb weight as 3,563 lb for the FWD variant and 3,731 lb for the AWD variant. Since I have the AWD variant ordered I used the larger value. Again, the actual Maverick will likely be a different weight depending on the options included, but this is a good baseline value. Ford also reports the GCWR as 8,145 lb.

Sources:


Generally speaking, the tongue weight should be about 10% of the trailer weight. For this calculation, I assumed a constant 10% tongue weight.

Here's the chart. The four limits are plotted, and then the operating envelope is superimposed on top. The GVW limit is the dominant limit until the two curves intersect, and then the GCVW limit is dominant until the towing capacity limit is reached. The usefulness of this chart is that once you know the weight of the trailer you intend to tow, you can then see how much payload you can carry. As long as your operating point of trailer weight and payload are inside the operating envelope, you should be good to go!



A couple of things to keep in mind:

  • Don't forget the 10% tongue weight assumption!

  • The Maverick's brakes aren't designed for the GCWR, only the GVWR, so it's recommended to use trailer brakes on heavy loads. Fortunately I’ve ordered the 4k tow package and it includes trailer brakes.


Oh yeah, about the single axle vs tandem. From what I've seen online, a tandem axle weighs about 600 lb more than a single axle. So even though the single axle is limited to 3,500 lb and a tandem would allow me to carry the full 4,000 lb that the Maverick is capable of, it would actually work against me because of the added weight of the second axle!

Levi Hefner