[Discoverado]

I still don't have my Maverick yet, but I'm planning to pull a cargo trailer converted into a camper. 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 and I thought y'all might be interested in it, too.

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 1,500 lb.
• 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 used.

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. Note that your 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.

So here are the various weights tabulated:

	Value	Unit	Source
Base Curb Weight:	3731​	lb	Ford Tech Specs
Max Payload:	1500​	lb	Ford Tech Specs
GVWR:	5231​	lb
GCWR:	8145​	lb	Ford

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.

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!

Anyway, I hope this is helpful to somebody. Let me know if you have questions or if you spot a mistake.

 

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Are you essentially de-rating the 4,000 lb capacity based on the trailer frontal area? You're totally right that frontal area will have an impact, I'm just not sure the best way to factor this into my analysis. It almost seems like Ford has factored that in already. 4,000 lb & 40 sq. ft. - don't exceed either, but it's rated up to both simultaneously. Suggestions?

Here's what Ford has to say about it:

On another note, Ford also says:

I didn't factor this in either.

 

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Oh I see what you're saying. This is actually accounted for in the chart. At the 4,000 lb trailer weight, the maximum payload allowed is ~400-450 lb. The payload includes all passengers and cargo, so it aligns with what you're saying - a driver and single passenger. If you want to carry more passengers or cargo, then you need to reduce the trailer weight according to the dashed red line to stay inside the operating envelope.

 

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The Ford Maverick is simply not capable of safely towing the load you anticipate

I really don't understand what you're getting at. I'm not anticipating, advising, or encouraging anything outside the OEM's recommendations. Are you saying that Ford is overrating their vehicle? Is their test method not to be trusted?

Given the platform (unibody) limitations of the Maverick, its curb weight of less than 3,800 lbs, along with braking limitations, I would not be confident to tow more than 3,000 lbs nor have a tongue load that ever exceeded 300 lbs.

I'm directly looking at the manufacturer's published data and trying to display it in a useful way for people to make safe, informed decisions. It seems like you're just making a blanket statement that the Maverick isn't capable of what the OEM states. Would you rather people look at and understand the manufacturer's data and make data-driven decisions, or make a decision based on some guy's opinion who participated in a (maybe jury, maybe bench, maybe state, maybe federal) court case at least 17 years before the Maverick was released?

 

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I'm really not trying to get into a pissing match here. The intent of my post was to illustrate the data in a useful way, but apparently that's not cool?

I have calculated the risks and will tow no more than 3,000 lbs with a tongue weight of no more than 300 lbs with my XL EB with 4K.

It's totally fine if you personally don't feel comfortable towing more than 3,000 lb. But don't go around saying the Maverick isn't capable of more and not having anything to back it up. Can you show me your calculations? I can't help but wonder, if Ford said the max towing capacity was 5,000 lb, would your "calculation" conclude that 4,000 lb is safe?

Anyway, I find this chart helpful, and I hope it's useful to somebody else if they're trying to figure out how much they can load their pickup and stay within the OEM's ratings.

 

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And what's legal gonna say? "Yes, technically we rate the Maverick at 4,000 lb towing capacity. But it's actually only good for 3,000 lb because we LOVE lawsuits." I mean, come on, man. Just drop it already.

I'm all for a constructive conversation around the Maverick's ability. And people's past experience is valid and relevant to talk about, so I'm happy to hear your thoughts on the topic. But when we start speaking in absolutes with no supporting data then it just becomes "he said" "she said" and nobody wins.

Like I said in my original post, let me know if you spot a mistake! I'm more than happy to correct any errors in my analysis.

 

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Seriously? This thread has obviously triggered you for some reason, and that's a shame. I'm looking for constructive conversation on this forum. If you don't want to engage with me anymore, then by all means don't.

To everyone else, questions/comments/concerns/thoughts are always welcome! For those of you who frequently tow - do you do a similar exercise or what's your method?