I have a 2003 F 150 SC 4x4 5.4L with the 7700 option and I would like to know my towing limits with this truck.
I am in the process of purchasing a travel trailer and I would like to best fit the trailer to the truck. The trailer I am happy with right now is a 31' 4" OAL
5120# dry weight 790# hitch dry weight. Also, the dealer said I would be able to pull this legally with no problem and without the equalizer hitch assy. I would like other opinions on this if possible.

Thanks.

Mc.

 

He's fibbing a little, ok a lot. You need the weight distributing hitch. That and the sway control bar will keep you out of the median.

 

In my opinion, that is too much trailer for your truck to handle. 5100 lbs dry easily turns into 6000+ lbs loaded on a 31' long trailer. That's a long trailer with alot of sail area for the wind to act on, both cross winds and the 'wind' from passing large vehicles in the other lane, such as busses and 18 wheel trucks. Could easily get out of control with a light weight truck towing it.

Your dealer is really stupid if he honestly believes that you should tow this beast with a regular ball hitch without a weight distribution system and sway control. No travel trailer of that size should be towed without some kind of sway control, especially by a light weight tow truck like yours. I would pass on any deal with that dealer and find another one who will at least be honest and give you realisitic and useful information to base decisions from. That dealer is a detriment to his profession, shame on him.

 

I don't have any idea what the laws are regarding towing in your neck of the woods. You may be legal with a ball hitch but not wise.

I would not tow a travel trailer without a weight distribution hitch and sway bar.

 

The Ford towing guide shows a GCVW of 13,500lbs and a maximum tow of 8,200lbs. I think you are within the load limits for your truck but I agree that 31 feet of trailer is going to crowd that F150 for length and make for a less than desirable combination on a crowded highway.

 

I think the truck should be ok but get a WDH. They are only 300 bucks. When you are spending that much money on a trailer why skimp on something like that.

 

Yeah 31 feet of trailer makes for a lot of sway in wind and when passing big trucks etc.

Most used dealers have very little idea what the truck can handle, and they are taught to sell what they got, so obviously this truck is "just right for you" wink wink.

Even if it has the specs to handle the trailer you like, you will have a much safer and more relaxing ride if you have the correct equipment which includes enough truck and weight distributing hitches and sway bars.

The weight distributing hitch will at least spread the load out so it isn't all concentrated on the rear axle which makes for a squirrly ride. A WD makes the ride much less stressful.

The gotcha with 150s is usually the brakes and not enough weight to keep the truck stable. You wind up having the tail wag the dog.

Good Luck,

Jim Henderson

 

I have the exact same truck as you and I tow a 26 foot Travel trailer that weighs in at about 5200 dry, 6500 fully loaded. I do use a WD setup, but no sway control. This is my first season towing a TT, so I'm no expert, but I'll fill you in with what I know so far. I would absolutely reccomend the WD hitch. I have not experienced the need for a sway control setup yet, and I have towed in some pretty stiff winds and have met my share of semis doing well over the speed limit. I have been told that this can cause serious dangerous trailer sway if the trailer is too long or too heavy for the truck. If my trailer was any longer I think I would opt for some sway control, but I think my setup is just fine. You may need sway control because of the extra length.

I can tow at highway speeds in most situations, but on steep hills the truck is floored and the transmission is in 2nd gear at about 3500-4000 rpms. You will find that you only get about 7-9 MPG while towing especially if you do any mountain driving. You may get 10-13 in the flats, but not much more.

I know my truck is rated to tow something like 8200, but because travel trailers catch so much wind because of their size that you should not approach the absolute towing limit when considering a travel trailer. 8200 might be ok if you were pulling a flat bed with a low load or even a boat, but you are not; you are pulling a big high box that pushes alot of air and catches alot of cross wind at highway speeds.

Good luck with what you decide.

 

I did tow a car over 1300Km with a U-Haul car transporter. The car weighed in at 3200# and the trailer @ 2000# according to U-Haul website with a dry weight total of 5200# I had about 700# of misc. stuff as well. The truck towed this with no problem with the exception of really bad economy to be expected. Mostly what I have to worry about is the length. I will definitely get the weight distribution equipment if I go through with the deal. and possibly sway equipment. I honestly have many positive things to say about my truck. it has performed well beond my expectations.

 

Your truck will haul that trailer just fine. I would get the WD hitch if I was going to buy the trailer but it *could* be done safely without it. The driver has more to do with it being safe then the equipment in MOST cases. In 40+ years of pulling trailers, I have NEVER had sway control of any kind and have never wrecked a rig with a trailer in tow. Sway seems to be more a result of improper loading then anything else from what I have seen.
As far as being legale... You are.

 

It is also a consideration to check your tire rating before pulling a travel trailer. Some F150s have LT tires and also a lot of people buy aftermarket wheels and tires with only a passenger tire ratings. You should have C rated tires at the very least, and preferably D or E rated.

2004 F250 SD CC 4X4 PSD

 

Yokohama Geolander AT+II good for 3042# @ 80 psi ea.

 

Good job Mcanik. Those E rated tires should be able to carry the world. I always like to have tires that are made for a truck that works for a living. Some people seem to like those "go to church" wheels and tires which makes the vehicle a non-truck IMHO. By the way I also like the WD Hitches for the travel trailers. The tires you have will also help the stability as the sidewalls have more meat.

2004 SD CC 4X4 PSD

 

I did purchase that trailer, but before I did, I took it for a good test pull and it pulled great. It holds 90k/h easily on good hills and does not move much when I am passed by transport trucks. I am still yet to pull it any distance though. I am planning a trip to visit my wife in a few weeks. that will be a 1400km pull. I will let ya's know how it went.

Cheerz and thanks

Mc

 

Of all of the post's on this thread only one post mentioned the most important thing, "Brakes." You can just about move anything, within limits, with anything but can you get it stopped.

Disconnect your brake controller and take a trip down a level road and see if you can stop. If you can't make a normal, safe stop on a level road, you had better rethink you tow capabilities.

I have been towing for over 25 years with a lot of miles on my rear, and I have lost my trailer brakes twice. Once it was a blown circuit breaker and once a complete failure of the controller. In both cases I was on a downhill grade, and believe me it was no fun.

Thankfully I had big enough brakes on the truck to keep the rig under control. Believe me that a F150 doesn't have big enough brakes for me to feel secure towing. I think you should take some cheap advice from someone who knows that "you shouldn't either."

I hope you have as many years of save enjoyable towing as I have, Gary