Using f150 for towing

[Play Harder]

Getting a little off topic but I like this
Someday

[Filterman]

Been pulling a Wildcat 28RKS with a 7700GVW F150 6.2 with Max Tow package for three years. NO issues. One can always use more power....it's who we are
We gross at 16800lbs fully loaded ready to go at our heaviest. That was for a 3 month trip north to the Arctic Ocean so I was carrying an extra spare mounted on wheel for both the truck and trailer. That puts us 300lbs under allowable CGVW for the truck. IMHO, it's all about expectations. I'm not a high speed trailer ing guy......it burns a LOT of fuel. I like to stay under 100KPH (63MPH). As far as towing ability, we pulled a lot of 10% grade this summer and up to 14 in some places and the 6.2 3:73's did the job. At 63MPH , in level country no head winds, I run in 6 gear 1500RPM 95 % of the time. Our trailer has dry weight of 8000lbs and weighs 9200 ready to roll. If u use the 12% rule, I'm 1100 Lbs on the hitch . Moved my gen set to a nice checker plate box on the back trailer bumper to get the weight off the truck payload. 9000 miles this summer we averaged 11.2 MPG over the entire trip...city, highway etc. and of course make sure you set your WDH up properly. I used a Reese anti sway bar so no effect from side wind or commercial traffic passing.
I'm a happy guy!

[Boso]

Somebody mentioned 4:10 gears that is not what they come with It was 3:73 that is what you got and what you won't if you ordered with tow package that is what was on them in 2011 max tow package but that was Eco boost to don't know if that means anything

[lazyjj]

Folks, your ECO boost and 1/2 ton trucks are very nice trucks but take it from someone who has been down the road with all trucks gas and diesel. You need 2500 or more series to do any type of towing. I have horses and a fifth wheel. No matter what the dealers tell you the extra suspension and the stopping power (brakes) make the difference. Be careful out there.

[OldCoot]

Originally Posted by B and B

...Worked OK but long term I would have toasted the rear axle.

Based on what? I have a 3.23 re with over 90k on it and probably 70K towing and it still doesn't make any noise. Could blow on the way to FL, but, so far, so good.

[RubyDually]

Originally Posted by OldCoot

Based on what? I have a 3.23 re with over 90k on it and probably 70K towing and it still doesn't make any noise. Could blow on the way to FL, but, so far, so good.

My thoughts were semi floating vs full floating with 1750 pin weight...

[acadianbob]

Originally Posted by lazyjj

You need 2500 or more series to do any type of towing.

This is far from true . . . IMO . . .

[Bob Snider]

When we shopped for our 2014 F-150, I told the salesman I wanted serious towing capability and he sold me the 3.5 Ecoboost. About four months later we were shopping for our first TT, we found a FR Wildcat that we really liked.
I asked the dealer to hook it up and let us drive it around the parking lot to get the feel of it. He came back saying he could not sell us the TT to be towed with the F-150. An argument ensued and he explained the F-150 could easily pull the TT. But even with good trailer brakes, the trailer could push the truck into an intersection when we were trying to stop for a red light. If that happen, our kids could go to court and take his dealership away.

[B and B]

Originally Posted by OldCoot

Based on what? I have a 3.23 re with over 90k on it and probably 70K towing and it still doesn't make any noise. Could blow on the way to FL, but, so far, so good.

My pin weight could be as high as 1900 lbs with the F 150 add passengers and gear in the bed I was 1000 lbs over CCC, rear axle at limit, after a long tow rear diff was hot and smelly. Really a moot point as the truck is now being used by retiree to go to his cottage and haul emptys back to the brewers retail.

[oldgold]

Is there anyone who actually wants to answer the OP's question? Can't believe y'all aren't tired from arguing this yet. I get people have differing opinions on tow vehicles but most of the posts in this thread don't have anything to do with the actual question asked.

And I'm still waiting too hear what model trailer you are looking into towing...

[Boso]

I had a f250 king ranch 6.4 diesel and I had a f150 lariat both with the tow package and you can't tow a 40' fiver with a f150 but you certainly can a 7500 lb trailer and you can stop the trailer with just trailer brakes your vehicle brakes are not your main source. That salesman must have worked at camping world probably a sales manager. Please some of you use common sense and don't be foolish

[Play Harder]

1/2 ton trucks always bring out - you must have a 1ton or 3/4ton even through the trailer weigh is within the 1/2 ton trucks range - just look at every 1/2 ton post of the FR forum

Popcorn please

I'm sticking with my original message - should be fine

[WolfWhistle]

This can is opened again and me out of beer.

When I'm approaching a light at a slow speed on funky new pavement and my 2500 Ram CTD with good tires has anti-lock come in chattering and I'm nearly pushed through the intersection, I have to wonder where I would have ended up, if I had a half ton. Would I feel as confident in a half ton as far as sway is concerned, since sometimes I have all I can stand?

Ford says your's will tow the smaller XLRs (I took some liberty there). If I read the brochure correctly. Ford says 11K# trailer... (up to 17,100# COMBINED) I say, you could regret it. I did say, "could."

My vote at its most generous upper end of its capability is the Hyperlite 27HFS, but I personally wouldn't go for more than the 24HFS. I also wouldn't expect the toy bay will actually carry 2000# of full dressers, or equal.
WW

[davel1971]

problem is, with a trailer at the top end of the rating for a 1/2 ton, gives you a setup with way more payload than the 1/2 ton can handle. Trailer alone will put you at or above. You still need to put the family in the cab. Bikes, firewood, coolers, grill, etc in the bed.

[breezyhillfarm]

I always say it isn't whether you can pull it, it's whether you can stop it.


2014 XLR27HFS
2006 Ford F450 Diesel Dually
2015 Harley Freewheeler Trike (Tara)
2004 Harley Road King Custom (Gemma)

[madmaxmutt]

Originally Posted by breezyhillfarm

I always say it isn't whether you can pull it, it's whether you can stop it.

These will fix what ails ya.


PowerStop Drilled and Slotted Rotors and Z36 towing pads, ahhhhhhhhhh!!

[Play Harder]

sounds like you have your trailer brakes set way to soft or maybe wrong brake controller --- the new ones have giros and auto adjust trailer brake to amount of stopping force the controller feels ---

Your Trailer should not be pushing you but work in tandem with truck brakes - otherwise your setting yourself up to Jackknife

Just saying might want to try a different brake controller

I'm using prodigy P2

Brake controller activates trailer brakes in proportion to your vehicle's braking action
Automatically adjusts trailer's braking based on deceleration of tow vehicle
Activates immediately - no pausing like with time-delayed brake controllers

[madmaxmutt]

Originally Posted by Play Harder

sounds like you have your trailer brakes set way to soft or maybe wrong brake controller --- the new ones have giros and auto adjust trailer brake to amount of stopping force the controller feels ---

Your Trailer should not be pushing you but work in tandem with truck brakes - otherwise your setting yourself up to Jackknife

Just saying might want to try a different brake controller

I'm using prodigy P2

Brake controller activates trailer brakes in proportion to your vehicle's braking action
Automatically adjusts trailer's braking based on deceleration of tow vehicle
Activates immediately - no pausing like with time-delayed brake controllers

I assume you are answering WolfWhistle? Yes, I agree there is something wrong if his trailer is pushing a 2500 diesel into an intersection. . .

The built-in controller in the F150 is way better than my Prodigy ever was. Plus, the new trucks have electronic features to control stability, ABS, anti-sway, etc . . .

[WolfWhistle]

I haven't tried it since adjusting the trailer brakes... controller is factory Ram.

[WolfWhistle]

I was seconds away from upgrading to disc brakes hydraulic / electric.