Towing Question
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Towing Question
hello out there! im new to the forum but i have a question to ask you guys here. i was wondering if my 1986 lariat f-150 (its a v-8 engine) could pull a horse trailer with one horse in it OR is that too much to ask of my ol f-150?? any help of advice would be greatly appreciated. thanks in advance
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From: Virginia
It will pull it. Just make sure you install a brake controller on the truck, and the electric brakes work on the horse trailer. Or possibly the trailer already has surge brakes, just make sure they work. Stopping will be more of a problem than pulling it. Also make sure you have a nice receiver hitch bolted to the frame. Don't use the bumper hitch.
Last edited by Franklin2; Aug 13, 2007 at 07:43 AM.
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Originally Posted by Franklin2
It will pull it. Just make sure you install a brake controller on the truck, and the electric brakes work on the horse trailer. Or possibly the trailer already has surge brakes, just make sure they work. Stopping will be more of a problem than pulling it. Also make sure you have a nice receiver hitch bolted to the frame. Don't use the bumper hitch.
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Joined: Jan 2001
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From: Virginia
Walmart, Tractor Supply, lots of the auto stores. Get one with the 2 inch receiver. The cost for all this will initially be high, but will make your truck much more useful in the future. You can slip all the different size ***** in the hitch, as well as get all kinds of accessories like bike racks, extended bed supports, winch receivers, etc.
More Turbo
Joined: Aug 2005
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From: North Georgia
Hi I dont know what kind of v-8 you have but mine is a 302 with the aod tranny. I will warn you if you have this combo. dont try to pull anything in overdrive and good luck haulling anything over maybe 2000 pounds. This is the worst excuse for a truck I have ever owned when it comes to pulling. It does good to pull itself. I am thinking of selling my 86 f-150 lariat and getting a truck that will do some work. sorry to give negative advise but I have been down this road already with my truck and went trough one transmission and 2500.00 dollars later and a remanufactured jasper transmission later It is still almost useless. Go with a c-6 if you ever have to rebuild or replace the aod. It is good for a boat anchor maybe thats about it. good luck
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Yep I agree with Scottdove. It's not the engine, It is the transmission will suffer. I've got the very same setup you've got. It will do almost everything I want it to. However, consider this, that transmission was also put in things like mustangs and town cars.
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so is a trailer of this size too big for my '86 f-150 to pull?? i am not completely sure of the weight of the trailer. sorry
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Try this if you need to tow. I put some Lucas oil transmission fix in my transmission. That stuff works nicely. I had a slipping transmission once. It fixed it immediately.
I now get the transmission fluid changed once a year with one quart of transmission fix along with it.
That and my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, keeps my truck running on a consistent smooth basis.
I now get the transmission fluid changed once a year with one quart of transmission fix along with it.
That and my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, keeps my truck running on a consistent smooth basis.
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From: Minnesota
You're missing some facts if you want an accurate answer:
OK, it's a V8. 302, 351, 351HO, or 460 ???
The emmissions sticker under the hood should tell.
Tranny? Manual ... automatic ... automatic/OD ???
Rear axle ratio? Crawl under and check the metal tag on the axle cover and tell us what it says. Some numerically low ratios do not lend themselves to towing applications of any kind in some engine/transmission applications.
Half ton truck. Is your suspension heavy enough to handle the hitch weight of a loaded horse trailer or are you going to have to stretch your neck to see over the hood because your bumper is draggin'? Horses move around in the trailer and a marginal truck will really feel it.
Electric brakes - Absolutely
Receiver hitch - Absolutely
You're protecting yourself, your truck, your trailer AND your horse by towing safely not to mention the rest of us on the highway.
Transmission cooler - Absolutely
Tranny temp gauge - optional but highly recommended
Not all trucks make safe tow vehicles for all loads.
OK, it's a V8. 302, 351, 351HO, or 460 ???
The emmissions sticker under the hood should tell.
Tranny? Manual ... automatic ... automatic/OD ???
Rear axle ratio? Crawl under and check the metal tag on the axle cover and tell us what it says. Some numerically low ratios do not lend themselves to towing applications of any kind in some engine/transmission applications.
Half ton truck. Is your suspension heavy enough to handle the hitch weight of a loaded horse trailer or are you going to have to stretch your neck to see over the hood because your bumper is draggin'? Horses move around in the trailer and a marginal truck will really feel it.
Electric brakes - Absolutely
Receiver hitch - Absolutely
You're protecting yourself, your truck, your trailer AND your horse by towing safely not to mention the rest of us on the highway.
Transmission cooler - Absolutely
Tranny temp gauge - optional but highly recommended
Not all trucks make safe tow vehicles for all loads.