I have read a lot of reviews, seen a lot of videos and talked to a few dealers, but I thought a Ford forum would be the best place to hopefully find the answer to my question.

I am having a custom 32' trailer built, I have no idea how much it is going to weight after everything is put in it. It's basically a tandem axle car hauler built to print onsite event and sports photographs. Something like this

My question is, will the F150 FX4 with Ecoboost be able to pull it?

 

Without knowing the actual weights, it's just going to be all guessing.

I would have to say, however, that I would be surprised to see a 36' trailer light enough to put behind an F-150. It's not just the power of the motor, it's the ability of the truck to control and stop the trailer also.

 

Welcome to FTE! Glad to have you here.

Hopefully, this isn't just an ad for your company. I removed the youtube link because it basically just talked about your company and offered virtually no information about the trailer.

Perhaps you could provide a link to the trailer manufacturer where we could look at some of the specs in order to better answer your question.

As mentioned above, the weight of the trailer isn't the only issue to consider. There are other variables such as the ability of the truck to properly and safely control the trailer. You're also going to have to consider things such as the tongue weight, GVWR, trailer brakes, how it will be loaded (weight bias front to rear), the weight it will carry, and other things.

Ford says that a properly equipped F-150 with the Max Tow Package will tow 11,300 pounds. However, that is a best case scenario with only the basic minimally equipped truck. Options added to the truck will reduce the available payload (within the MFG ratings) as will such things as gear in the truck, passengers, hitches, etc.

Just from the looks of the trailer, I would think you would be able to tow it with an F-150. However, I think you could do it more safely with a Super Duty.

 

I didn't actually watch the YouTube video, thought it might have showed the inside of the trailer more but I guess it didn't. I don't own that company, wish I did.

The people that are building the trailer is Hurricane Cargo, their website can be found here.

I test drove a Super Duty and wasn't a huge fan of it, along with the price tag.

 

My best advice is to speak with the company. They may have spec'ed it out by now and can give you a rough estimate of empty wt and loaded ratings.

I am gonna say though you should consider a F250.

 

A 32' Trailer is a lot of trailer length to sway around back there. Which also depends on relative location of the axles on the trailer, and which configuration of F150 you are looking for (WB wise). Getting a 32' trailer, which appears to remain mostly empty, is going to catch every gust of wind and get bounced around pretty bad. A ~5500# F150 is not going to pull that as safe as a 7500# Superduty could.

I'm not saying you need the diesel, with the 6.2L Gas Engine and a stripped down F250 XL 4x2 (Reg Cab Long Box) goes for around $30k, much less than most F150's on the lot. Upgrading to 4x4 brings it up around $34K.

This is for your business, and to be professional, get the right truck for the right job. I'd go test drive a stripped down Superduty with the 6.2L, if I was you.

 

I found out some more stats about the trailer, if it helps at all.

Loading and Towing
2,000lb Tongue Jacks: 2,000lb Top Wind Tongue Jack
Hitch Type: Tag
Jack Accessories: Sand Pad
Safety Chains: 12,600lb Gold Safety Chains w/Gold Hook
GVWR: 10000

Suspension
Tires: ST225/75R15 D Rated Tires
Wheels: 15in 6 Hole White 8 Spoke Steel Wheels
Axle Width: Wide Track
Hub Type: EZ-Lube Hubs
Suspension: Rubber Ride Suspension
Weight: 5,200lb Axles

Brakes
Brake Accessories: Breakaway Kit
Brake Type: Electric Drum Brakes

 

You need a F250. As has been stated above the Ecoboost can do it..if you get the right one but for alot of use and the stability factor the 250 is the right choice.

There is a difference between driving the truck and driving the truck when towing.

Also those D rated tires need to go. Get E-rated ones.

 

That is just too light a trailer for 32' and an F150. And you will want to put Load Range E tires on it, both for weight rating and the wear. A stripped down F250 (or F350 SRW which is only a couple hundred more) with the 6.2L would be a much better truck for the job.

Let us know what you end up with in the end.

 

id want a 3/4 ton just for the better brakes alone. i was under the impression that the ecoboost has a turbo on each exhaust manifold. turbo's ive experianced are only good in a certian rpm range. sure it may have some awesome hp and tourque #'s but thats at a certian rpm. under that rpm where the turbo(s) arent effective, its a lot less. if the engine rpm drops below the turbo(s) range, the power drops dramatically. you would need a pretty deep gear to get started so it could get to that rpm quickly. and if you lose a turbo, its like unhooking half the plugs, even a rebuilt turbo would be big bucks. it looks good on paper as far as a empty truck, but i dont know how it would fare with a big trailer. box trailers also create alot of wind-resistance drag. the trailer i pull with my ranger is only 1,000 pounds empty, but going down the road @ 60 it pulls as hard as a 17' fiberglass boat weighing 5,000 pounds. id think with a box trailer that big a 3/4 ton with a diesel would be the best way to go. a 24' travel trailer is quite a handfull with a 1/2 ton chassis.

 

This may have been true on earlier F150s but not so anymore.

2011 F150 brakes:

Front 13.8"
Rear 13.7"

2011 F250/350 brakes:

Front 13.66"
Rear 13.39"

 

Bigger rotors alone, don't make for better brakes. The F250/350 brakes are much stronger than the F150's.

 

Yes you also have to factor in the area of the pads, the clamping force of the cylinders, mechanical strength of the components, etc. There is allot that goes into the stopping power.

 

Well I wouldn't tow that trailer with a F150. Just too big. Best deal would be a used 07-11 Dodge 2500-3500 with the Cummins. The exhaust brake and tow/haul is fantastic. Too bad Ford dropped the V10. You can't tell me the 6.2 out performs the V10.