Can my truck handle this ?

[Squid701]

Planning a trip from Ga to Maine this summer pulling my new Surveyer 294 QBLE. Tow vehicle is a 2004 F150,short bed, 5.4, 3.73 rear, 4x4. Am I asking too much from my old warhorse ?

[4mula1fan]

Dry Hitch Weight 625 lbs.
Unloaded Vehicle Weight 5,793 lbs.
GVWR 7,625 lbs.

I'd say you're pushing it...

[fonzie]

Read the Ford 2004 towing guide, it will give you info you are looking for....

https://www.fleet.ford.ca/resources/...s/2004_All.pdf

[pappcam]

You're right at the top end of that TV's capabilities but you should be ok with a good WDH and some patience.

[wyo700]

Hook up take your time and enjoy the ride and you and your truck will be fine. You aren't gonna win any races but your towing so who cares.


2012 Sandstorm 203SLC
2013 Toyota Tundra Crewmax 5.7
2014 Honda Pioneer 700-4

[Pauls Toy Hauler]

I wouldn't be concerned with being able to pull it. Concentrate more on how it can handle it (swaying & etc.) and most importantly 'Stopping' it.


You will be pushing the boundaries of it's stopping capability. While any tow truck can lock up on less than ideal road conditions you could experience it a lot faster.


Like others have said get a WD hitch. If your trucks squats any amount in the rear when hooking up then you just lost some front wheel manuveribility (front is lighter) and braking power (again front is lighter). bring that truck back to level or even give it a little nose dive. To fix that get you some helper rear springs or better yet adjustable rear air ride.

[jeff64]

Originally Posted by Squid701

Planning a trip from Ga to Maine this summer pulling my new Surveyer 294 QBLE. Tow vehicle is a 2004 F150,short bed, 5.4, 3.73 rear, 4x4. Am I asking too much from my old warhorse ?

Last season, I was pulling a JayFlight 24RKS which grossed about 7100 with a '07 F15o SC, 4x4, 5.7, 3:55 LS with a Leer cap. By the time, I loaded all the "other stuff", fuel equalizer WDH and us, I figured we could easily be doing 8,000. Towing capacity of the F150 was 8300. Doable, but, you can't have too much TV.

2014 GMC 2500HD,CC, 4x4,6.0,4.10 w/ cap
2016 Flagstaff 27VRL
Equalizer 14K

[wana65stang]

[QUOTE=Pauls Toy Hauler;893925]I wouldn't be concerned with being able to pull it. Concentrate more on how it can handle it (swaying & etc.) and most importantly 'Stopping' it.


You will be pushing the boundaries of it's stopping capability. While any tow truck can lock up on less than ideal road conditions you could experience it a lot faster.

Towed trailers are equipped with their own braking system, correct? Just asking

[B and B]

I would invest in LT tires if not equipped presently. That is the single biggest stability upgrade you can make. Make sure you have proper tranny cooler. I towed a 32 ft Rockwood with a similarly equipped truck (2009 5.4l Triton) at Max capacity and no trailer tow package. It worked.

[Pauls Toy Hauler]

[QUOTE=wana65stang;893942]

Originally Posted by Pauls Toy Hauler

I wouldn't be concerned with being able to pull it. Concentrate more on how it can handle it (swaying & etc.) and most importantly 'Stopping' it.


You will be pushing the boundaries of it's stopping capability. While any tow truck can lock up on less than ideal road conditions you could experience it a lot faster.

Towed trailers are equipped with their own braking system, correct? Just asking

They assist...not replace.

[Harkerr]

I would seriously consider 2500 diesel. You will be much happier. Trying to upgrade a marginal 1500 is wasted money.

[mike.t]

It can "tow" it. I wouldnt want to take a chance though.

[OntarioFireFighter]

Maybe I'm missing something - but fully loaded, that trailer's max weight should be (roughly) 7700# - Tow rating for your truck varies if it's a regular cab or super/crew cab - but minimum is 7800#.

Brake controller, tranny cooler, good tires, good WDH set up properly; and take your time, you should have no issues.

[aceinspp]

Pushing a TV to it's limits invites trouble. Don't look to Ford for hand out repairs if things go south. Later RJD

[chetbear81]

Tow my catalena 26 footer with a 2004 Chevy Silverado. 5.3 liter v-8, 1/2 ton with towing package. Weight distributing hitch. Works great with no problems. Must have electric brakes!

[silverback 35ts]

Originally Posted by Squid701

Planning a trip from Ga to Maine this summer pulling my new Surveyer 294 QBLE. Tow vehicle is a 2004 F150,short bed, 5.4, 3.73 rear, 4x4. Am I asking too much from my old warhorse ?

While it may be the "old warhorse" you will want to do a couple of things first;
1 Do a quick trip close to home first "dry run" to see how you and all the truck and trailer do.
2) Ford 150's just like all the others may be sold as "TRUCKS" they are not any more, meaning the build goes more creature comforts that real muscle, and being that when you connect the trailer ever with WD hitch there will be rear squat as the progressive springs are just to soft to really tow with out the squat. So talk to your local dealer or look on the hitch websites for the weight of the WD bars so you should be close the first time, and you might still need to add air bags depending on the hitch weight of your trailer.
3) while most states require trailers to have brakes on a trailer over 1500 lbs, do not think they will work the same as your truck brakes. They are electric drum brakes so the work jerky, and will fade much quicker than the disk brakes on your truck. SO do not tailgate, shift down going down a long hill, and be aware of the road conditions around you, you will need over double the trucks normal stopping distance in a emergency. Now your trip up and down the east coast as long as you safety near the coast will not have hills to worry about.
4) the tires on your trailer (like all trailer tires) are only rated for a max speed of 60 to 65 mph, now that does not mean you can drive full weight on a 95 degree day for 8 hours at 65 mph as the trailer tires will most likely not make it. SO as said before (slow down, enjoy the trip and not on the side of the road)
Now that I made you think you should not go on your trip, YOU SHOULD but please take the advice given by me and others here and be safe, don't speed and enjoy the trip and Happy Camping

P.S. please make sure when you do your dri run to watch all your gauges closely to give you any idea of pushing your truck, you can add extra coolers to help keep things cool, both the engine and the transmission are very important for you.

[robert.beck.7737]

The short answer is No, your truck does not have the power to reliably tow your TT.

[mike.t]

Just more of my rambling 2c. Your truck is 11 years old. What did you pull with it before?

[Bamamax]

If you have to ask " am I ok to tow this" then deep inside you already know the answer.

[mike.t]

Wonderful. Now all us know it all's can talk about what you are going to buy and the "can o worms" that follows.)
I'll send you a 12 pack of your favorite donuts if you don't think about buying an Ecoboost.