I have a 04 screw 4x4 5.4 with the 3.73 rear end. I bought a 38' Travel trailer That I want to tow one time 300 mi to a permanant lake lot. The trailer weighs 8560# dry. Do I dare tow it or should I pay to have it moved. The hitch weight is 1000#. I think the manuel says the truck can tow 8700# but it seems like a lot for that truck. Opinions Please or experience would be great. Thanks

Dan

 

You should have no problems if you got the trailer tow package. The 1000# is the toung weight. If you have the 2 inch reciever and the tow package you would be almost at the limit of what is recomened but you sould be able to do it.

 

Dan1940 - Technically your truck will pull it, however, I have the same truck in 2wd with a 9500lb max tow rating and regularly pull a 7000 lb, 31 ft travel trailer with 600lb tongue wt, and this "a load." I would not pull this in the mountains, but it is ok in the flat lands of Texas. If this is a one time deal then you should be ok, but you will have to have the towing package, electric brake controller, and a load leveling hitch with a 2-5/16" 10K ball. WARNING!!! DO NOT attempt to pull this trailer without a load leveling hitch! I assure you, your life will be in danger.

All this equipment will cost $300 - $500, so you are probably better off paying someone else to move it. Sorry to be so dramatic, but I have had several frightening experiences pulling heavy trailers with inadequate equipment and would not wish anything similar on anybody.

Good luck and BE SAFE!

 

J jones

you make some good points as far as expense. I may as well pay someone to move it for me. I was quoted a price of 2.50 a mi which translates to $750. Just trying to save a few bucks so I thought I would get some opinions on doing it with my truck.

 

I pull my boat over 7klbs 04 Lariat SCREW with 3:73 LS 2wd rated at 9500lbs with no problems at all. The class IV hitch that comes with the tow package needs no modifications. This truck pulls my boat way better then my prevoius Expedition did with load leveling suspension rated at 8500lbs with 3:73LS andthe older 5.4.

 

If you are not in too big a rush and it is relatively flat you will probably be ok with an equalizer hitch. Without one it depends on how well balanced and top heavy the trailer is and how big your ****s are. My concerns would be braking and stopping distance with that much weight plus how stable the trailer is, as defensive moves or a twisty road at speed could be exciting.

 

Kevin
I take it that you have brakes on the trailer. I have some sort of wireing harness in the glove box, Is that for wireing the elec brake assembly? I have the tow package and can get a load leveling attachment to use. I tow a boat a lot now but have no experience with something that big. I have two months so I have time to think about it. I live in Minnesota so its not too hilly and it would be half freeway and the rest 4 & 2 lane highway.

Dan

 

I pull my 2004 29 outlaw with twin 496mags on a triple axel trailer that weighs 8500lbs with my 2004 lariat 2wd 3.73Ls supercrew....you should have no problem..

 

hi dan1940
I have a 04 fx4 4x4 screw with 3.73 gears. I have my own construction company so i pull the trailers all the time the most I've pulled was 12000lbs.My engine has air intake,thsottle body spacer,exhaust and a diablo custom program.The hp and tq helps on the takeoff but with the stock motor you will have not problem,but when you come to a stop or to slow down throw it into 2 the engines back presure will help slow the trailer and truck,or rent a f-250 standard with a brake control and you will not have no problem.
good lucklifted

 

Dan, my boat trailer has mechanical surge brakes, electric brakes don't work to well in saltwater. The harness I believe you are refering to is for seting up electric brakes.

 

I think I will look into renting a 250. Thanks for the help guys.

Dan

 

That electric harness is for an electric brake controller, which is another part you would have to buy (I think you can get a reasonable electric brake controller for around $100). The harness is easy to install, and most likely your travel trailer has electric brakes, however, it is possible that your trailer, being as large as it is, has surge brakes and therefore you would not need an electric brake controller. If that is the case and you can borrow a load leveling hitch, it might be easy enough to haul it with your F150.