Thanks for the advice Gary, I have done that in the initial test pull. I didn't actually unhook the brake controller, but I did relax the setting all the way. the truck stopped well within reason. I don't plan on putting anything over another 500 to 700# in it when I am towing.

 

Remember that the gross combined weight rating is really what has the ultimate say from the manufacturer. I assume you have the 3.73s, so 13,500lbs is the max weight for both truck and trailer when fully loaded. You'll never see the 8500 - 8200lbs that the max trailer weight limit claims. You're truck would have to be a bone stock model without you in it to get those numbers. The 7700 x/cab 4x4 weighs about 4600-4800 lbs empty. If you need the weight calculation sheet, it's the last part of a PDF file for the 2003 F150 at Ford's BBAS site here: https://www.fleet.ford.com/truckbbas/ it doesn't add fluids either, and can be a bit confusing... these are the manuals that I used to get most of my info on the 7700's and 250LDs.

IIRC, I scaled my truck at 5500lbs with just me, the 300lb canopy, and full tank of gas. My truck is around 6500 pounds fully loaded with people and equipment when I travel (2 adults and two boys - about 600lbs). Dry weight in a trailer doesn't include LP and water, and any extraneous add ons (dishes, clothes, food). Water weight can add up quick. My recommendation is to have a dry weight of less than 5500lbs for the 7700 to be within the trucks design limits. That gives you a small cushion that the WD hitch will be happy to gobble up.

I agree that the cross sectional area of the front of that trailer will add a restriction to your truck's true rating as well. Does someone have the "weight per MPH vs. trailer front cross section" readily available? Basically, if you drive at X mph the air hitting that trailer will feel like Y to the truck's drivetrain.

The 7700 is a very capable platform. However towing something that large and running down a long hill will make you appreciate the brake controller... the achille's heal of the 7700 is the brakes. While Ford upsized the master cylinder piston diameter and front disk and caliper (same caliper and swept area as the Lightning) over the standard 150, they didn't do a thing to the rear. These things will eat pads. I personally have not upgraded (it's on my very long to do list), but we have a few F250LD and 7700 owners that have and noticed a difference when towing and regular driving.

Do me a favor, gas up the truck - pack it like you mean to stay outdoors for a while, and throw what occupants you feel will be the limit... then scale it. You might be pushing the limits.

Don't forget tranny maintenance. Towing and not changing fluids will kill your transmission.

Did I forget anything? Hope this is what you were looking for, Dan.

-Kery

 

My intention with this trailer is to park it and live in it as a temporary shelter. I will not be hauling it all over the country for lesiure. I bought it for comfort. I will be taking it on a 1400 km round trip in a few weeks to test it out. It may do two of these trips a year. most of my hauling will be light anyway. I will weigh it prior to my trip as well.

That information you have there Kerry is great. Thanks. And I will keep in mind my limits.

 

I took it for a 400km shakedown tow and it got about 9 to 10 mpg. Otherwise it tows well. the truck sits level as well as the trailer. It'll hold highway speeds on the hills but drops into 2nd. I will be going on my 1400 km trip in a few days. I will take averages on the flats and in the mountains to get a better idea of the fuel consumption.

 

I finished my return trip with my new trailer. What a shakedown. The rig performed flawlessly aside from really bad economy. the speed held well on most hills. on some excessively steep hills it would slow down to 80 km/h but hold there. Here is a pic of my truck.

 

Mileage sounded exactly right.

Your setup looks very nice... make sure you keep up on the tranny service schedule (I'll quit nagging now ). With the 2003, you should have the stouter 4R100 so that's really not as much of an issue.

-Kerry

 

I have more pictures in my portfolio Kerry.
PS did you get your website running yet??

 

I have a 31' TT and tow with a F-350. I wouldn't consider towing without bars / sway control. I use a dual cam system and can definately tell the difference when I have them and don't have them attached. You said the pin / tongue weight is 790 lbs. Most likely your hitch tongue is rated 500 lbs without WD and 1000 lbs with.

If I was you, I would get the WD. Better safe then sorry.

 

Cool -

About the website - I haven't got a firm answer on my technical questions for putting the website on my FTE user page. One day I went to upload what would have been the completed page... and forgot how to navigate to get there. I asked for directions, sort of received help, and still have an open tech ticket, but no real answer... so, no website.

-Kerry