Towing Snowmobile Trailer
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Towing Snowmobile Trailer
Planning on buying a 25' enclosed snowmobile trailer. Curb weight of trailer ios 3,300lb. and GVWR of 7,600lb. I am guessing my GVWR will be around 6,000 with all sleds and gear loaded up. My truck is a 2006 F-150 FX4 w/ 5.4 w/ 3.73 gearing. I have added a leaf in the back and a spacer in the front. I also plan on using a weight distributing hitch. I know my truck won't win no races pulling this trailer.
Has anyone pulled a trailer like this behind a similiar F-150? What can I expect? What can or should I do to make the towing experience easier on me and my truck (chip, heavy duty shocks, etc)?
Thanks in advance
Jeff
Has anyone pulled a trailer like this behind a similiar F-150? What can I expect? What can or should I do to make the towing experience easier on me and my truck (chip, heavy duty shocks, etc)?
Thanks in advance
Jeff
Fleet Owner
Joined: Jun 2004
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From: Rio Rico, AZ.
Originally Posted by eddings
Planning on buying a 25' enclosed snowmobile trailer. Curb weight of trailer ios 3,300lb. and GVWR of 7,600lb. I am guessing my GVWR will be around 6,000 with all sleds and gear loaded up. My truck is a 2006 F-150 FX4 w/ 5.4 w/ 3.73 gearing. I have added a leaf in the back and a spacer in the front. I also plan on using a weight distributing hitch. I know my truck won't win no races pulling this trailer.
Has anyone pulled a trailer like this behind a similiar F-150? What can I expect? What can or should I do to make the towing experience easier on me and my truck (chip, heavy duty shocks, etc)?
Thanks in advance
Jeff
Has anyone pulled a trailer like this behind a similiar F-150? What can I expect? What can or should I do to make the towing experience easier on me and my truck (chip, heavy duty shocks, etc)?
Thanks in advance
Jeff
I've always had big block trucks, so I cannot offer any advice other than don't push the speed on downhill runs, the brakes will heat up FAST if you have to bring it down from a higher speed. It's much safer (and the brakes stay cooler) if you use engine compression and a very light, steady touch on the pedal to keep the speed under control.
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Originally Posted by jake00
how many sleds will you be hauling?
if its 4 or less, I dont think you'll add more than 2000lbs to the trailer
if its 4 or less, I dont think you'll add more than 2000lbs to the trailer
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Oct 2004
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From: Simpsonville, KY
That thing will pull like a dream 
The biggest issue you'll have is wind resistance. Be SURE that it has its own brakes on all axles and you'll pull and stop that thing on a quarter. I pull heavier than that trailer with an older (2002) truck, and it does struggle a little up hills, but yours has more power and more capacity than mine, combined with a lighter trailer. You'll be good I'd keep it stock, get a good brake controller, and a quality weight distributing hitch and you'll be all good. The things you mentioned will certainly help, but try it without first and you may find yourself liking it without having to spend hundreds.
I love my air suspension... its not that expensive and it makes for a very soft yet strong ride. I just wish my gooseneck hitch didn't wear them out so fast
(stupid bolt in the way... wears on the bags and wrecked them... *sigh*)
The biggest issue you'll have is wind resistance. Be SURE that it has its own brakes on all axles and you'll pull and stop that thing on a quarter. I pull heavier than that trailer with an older (2002) truck, and it does struggle a little up hills, but yours has more power and more capacity than mine, combined with a lighter trailer. You'll be good I'd keep it stock, get a good brake controller, and a quality weight distributing hitch and you'll be all good. The things you mentioned will certainly help, but try it without first and you may find yourself liking it without having to spend hundreds.I love my air suspension... its not that expensive and it makes for a very soft yet strong ride. I just wish my gooseneck hitch didn't wear them out so fast
(stupid bolt in the way... wears on the bags and wrecked them... *sigh*)
Last edited by grafekie; Sep 8, 2007 at 09:09 AM.
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Originally Posted by grafekie
That thing will pull like a dream The biggest issue you'll have is wind resistance. Be SURE that it has its own brakes on all axles and you'll pull and stop that thing on a quarter. I pull heavier than that trailer with an older (2002) truck, and it does struggle a little up hills, but yours has more power and more capacity than mine, combined with a lighter trailer. You'll be good I'd keep it stock, get a good brake controller, and a quality weight distributing hitch and you'll be all good. The things you mentioned will certainly help, but try it without first and you may find yourself liking it without having to spend hundreds.
I love my air suspension... its not that expensive and it makes for a very soft yet strong ride. I just wish my gooseneck hitch didn't wear them out so fast (stupid bolt in the way... wears on the bags and wrecked them... *sigh*)
The biggest issue you'll have is wind resistance. Be SURE that it has its own brakes on all axles and you'll pull and stop that thing on a quarter. I pull heavier than that trailer with an older (2002) truck, and it does struggle a little up hills, but yours has more power and more capacity than mine, combined with a lighter trailer. You'll be good I'd keep it stock, get a good brake controller, and a quality weight distributing hitch and you'll be all good. The things you mentioned will certainly help, but try it without first and you may find yourself liking it without having to spend hundreds.I love my air suspension... its not that expensive and it makes for a very soft yet strong ride. I just wish my gooseneck hitch didn't wear them out so fast
(stupid bolt in the way... wears on the bags and wrecked them... *sigh*)Thanks for the info. I already have an excellent Prodigy Brake Controller that I use with my 3 place Seadoo Trailer that works great, of course the trailer is much lighter. My plan was to try pulling the trailer with my current configuration, and then go from there. It's like you read my mind, I don't want to spend hundreds if it is going to pull fine the way it is.
Jeff
Cargo Master
Joined: Dec 2004
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From: Living under the bosses d
No problem with that setup. You are well within your weight limits. The wind will kick your *ss. My 07 250 SD with 5.4 pulls a 7500 lb enclosed car hauler. That is why we bought it and it does it very well. You will get sway at higher speeds but nothing to freght.. may use a sway control bar after you tow it a few times.
Have fun
Have fun
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From: Huntington Indiana
You'll be fine with a 4 place trailer. As stated before watch those hills and the temp gauge. If you don't have one get one to protect your investment from overheating if you go thru the mountains.
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Joined: Nov 2005
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From: Cottage Grove, Minnesota
I don't see a problem with that set up. I have pulled a 6000lb trailer with my 97 F150 4.6 and have had no problems. I have a weight distribution hitch and when the trailer was loaded full and I mean full back in June for graduation (It's a band trailer for the local high school.)
Just keep an eye on the temp and maybe think about getting a temp gauge for the tranny.
Here's a link to what I pull.
http://i64.photobucket.com/albums/h195/97lariat/trailer.jpg
and what I pull it with.
http://i64.photobucket.com/albums/h195/97lariat/my%20truck/IMG_0077-1.jpg
Just keep an eye on the temp and maybe think about getting a temp gauge for the tranny.
Here's a link to what I pull.
http://i64.photobucket.com/albums/h195/97lariat/trailer.jpg
and what I pull it with.
http://i64.photobucket.com/albums/h195/97lariat/my%20truck/IMG_0077-1.jpg
Last edited by skilife17; Sep 11, 2007 at 12:15 PM.
Tuned
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 254
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From: Sacramento Ca
Hello all;
You should be fine towing with your setup. Just remember that you are pulling something and you don't need to race to the top of the hill (or the bottom). One thing would be highly recomended, a trans temp gauge. An engine oil temp gauge is also not a bad investment.
You should be fine towing with your setup. Just remember that you are pulling something and you don't need to race to the top of the hill (or the bottom). One thing would be highly recomended, a trans temp gauge. An engine oil temp gauge is also not a bad investment.
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