I've never really towed anything, but there's a good chance I'll be towing a trailer next summer on holidays. So far, I don't have the trailer or the truck I'll be towing it with, so I have a good chance to get everything right beforehand.
I see from the ford website that an F150 supercrew is rated for a max trailer wieght of 9500 lbs. Firstly, how big of a holiday trailer would that be? Secondly, anyone on this site regularly pull anything that large long distances with and F150?
I'm fully aware that moving up to a Super Duty will get me more engine choices, and that the diesel and V10 will handle the uphill better. That's not my main concern. I don't mind taking my time. I'm much more concerned with brakes and handling. Of course, Super Dutys are pretty common around here, so I may be able to pick one up used for a good price.

What do you think?

 

Yes, you can buy a F150 optioned with 3/4 ton axles with 2wd, limited options that can pull 9500 lbs with the 5.4 triton. This is a group of options that are doable. Older 150 classics were called 7700 package. Max tow 7700 lbs.

My trailer is 27 ft pull type and its total max weight is 7800 lbs. I drive a F350 PSD Crew. I can still put an atv or two snowmobiles on a deck and pull my trailer loaded to max or load the pick up with whatever and pull. The difference is in control of the load, brakes, suspension and the 5 speed auto and diesel has way more capacity. that being said, it comes with a price. I am happy with fuel mileage over my prev SD 350 5.4 l, this truck does 4 mpg better city, 5 better highway, 6 - 8 better loaded down.

The 150 will be at max load and will burn fuel accodingly, but heh, if you only pull once in a while and drive around city lots, it makes sense to have a smaller truck with better mileage day to day, pay more when you pull heavier. I looked at both, and was down to a crew lariat 150 versus an SD. The SD won out. But I am putting on Km, and planning to tow lots with the trailer. Do yourself a favour, dont test drive an sd and then look at 150's.

I will say even at the Km I will do, the mileage wont pay for itself for some time, but the safety margin and the ease of towing and the BSEG make up for it. I am also thinking bigger trailer later, 5vr, and preferably toy hauler..... I plan to have this truck many years....

 

Good points. Does anyone have a picture in thier gallery of trailers in this size range so I can get a better idea of what I'm dealing with?

 

Here's 2 pics (in my gallery). The trailer is a 28 ft 5th wheel at 5400 lbs dry
weight with a pin weight of about 1000 lbs

I had a 2001 F150 #7700 5.4l Triton SB for this, and it was fine on flat
terrain, but really struggled in the mountains:
<a href="https://www.ford-trucks.com/user_gallery/sizeimage.php?&photoid=97202&.jpg">F150 and trailer</a>

I've since traded it in on a 2004 F350 PSD LB Lariat. No difficulties at all
now :-)
<a href="https://www.ford-trucks.com/user_gallery/sizeimage.php?&photoid=118206&.jpg">F350 and trailer</a>

 

Thanks Black350. That trailer looks plenty big for my needs.

I'm planning and hoping to get a two or three month leave of absence from my job to tour eastern Canada in a trailer with my wife, so it'll just be the two of us. Probably something like 10,000 km's in total. I don't think we'd need anything larger than the one in your pic.

I know the SD's will handle the load easier, and personally, I prefer the interior in the SD. I just need to get an idea of the real world ability of the F150 to convince myself. The cost difference is pretty significant, both new and used.