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Ford F-Series Towing Questions

41 messages,  Last post on Nov 24, 2009 at 7:39 PM

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What is this discussion about? Ford F-150, Ford F-250 Super Duty, Ford F-350 Super Duty, Towing, Truck

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#1 of 41 F-150 Towing by softstor Dec 12, 2003 (8:46 am)
I have a bumper pull horse trailer. Fully loaded, the trailer weight is less than 7500 lbs. I have noticed that the 2004 F-150, 5.5 ft bed, extended cab trucks can tow up to 7800 lbs, while the 5.5 ft bed, crew cab trucks can tow up to 9800 lbs. Is there any difference between the two F-150 trucks in towing cababilites since my trailer weight is below the towable amount? What is the difference in towing between the 2004 F-150 and 2005 F-250 trucks for a 7500 lb trailer?
#2 of 41 Just my opinion here..... by mullins87 Dec 13, 2003 (6:28 am)
with no data to back it up, only years of experience towing trailers for personal use. The tow ratings on the new F-150 seems awfully high to me. I'm sure the truck could TOW that weight, however I'm skeptical as to how WELL the truck would handle it. What I am referring to is how well will that F-150 handle your 7,500 lb trailer in an emergency manuever where you have to change lanes VERY quickly and the trailer will want to fishtail wildly. Or how well would it handle the trailer on a long downhill grade if the trailer brakes fail. Or will it handle a long uphill grade without slowing down to 30 mph or overheating the engine and tranny.   When selecting your tow vehicle, don't buy one that will just cover your current situation. Go for the F-250. You will be more relaxed while pulling that trailer.
#3 of 41 Re: F-150 Towing by dustyk Dec 13, 2003 (7:30 am)
Without checking myself, I have to second Mullins' comment, the 7500 lb. towing seems awfully high for a standard 1/2 ton PU.   Are you sure that isn't the Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW)? That would be the weight of the vehicle COMBINED with the payload weight.   My last half-ton Chevy was rated at 6100 lbs, and that was GVW.   Regards, Dusty
#4 of 41 7800 is correct by kg11 Dec 13, 2003 (7:57 am)
But I personally would only use a half-ton truck to tow that much weight across a parking lot for the reasons cited by Mullins. Just because it'll do it (barely) don't mean it's a good idea.   kip
#5 of 41 F-150 Towing by softstor Dec 14, 2003 (6:04 am)
Since Ford has claimed that they have increased the towing capacity on the F-150 trucks, they claim that the crew cab version of their truck can tow up to 9800 lbs. My trailer weight of 7500 lbs was incorrect, the max weight of a fully loaded horse trailer would be less than 6500 lbs. Would an F-150 that is rated to tow 9800 lbs be able to handle a 6500 lb trailer or would this be a bad idea for this truck? Replies to this message: jimbob560 (Apr 19, 2009 2:37 pm)
#6 of 41 softstor by mullins87 Dec 14, 2003 (12:23 pm)
I have seen that claim of 9,800 lbs of towing capacity. However, for all the reasons mentioned above, I wouldn't do it regardless of the factory rating. I have a VERY hard time believing any 1/2 ton truck can safely pull that kind of load. I have an F-350 diesel dually that is only rated for roughly 12,000 lbs of towing, many factors go into the maximum trailer towing weight than just the gross weight of the trailer itself. I use it to pull a 31' travel trailer, amongst other things. My travel trailer falls within the weight rating of the new F-150. However, I can tell you from experience that there is NO WAY IN HECK I'd pull it with ANY 1/2 ton. IMO, the brakes, suspension, frame, wheels and tires of a 1/2 ton are not up to the task of that kind of towing.   I can't say this enough: Don't get a tow vehicle that just "covers" what you have now. Buy one with plenty of reserve capability just in case. You never know when the trailer brakes might fail, or that driver in front of you decides to stop in the center lane with you only three seconds behind at 70 mph, or the driver in front of you looses his/her load of lumber and you have to make a very abrupt lane change, etc....   I am assuming you have at least a moderate amount of towing experience. If not, have you ever heard of this phrase? "The tail wagging the dog." I've seen this many times on the interstate where the trailer is WAY too big for the vehicle and it is swaying from side to side pushing the tow vehicle where ever it wants to.   Anyway, I digress. I could go on and on with this subject. Get at least a 3/4 ton for that horse trailer. You won't regret it.
#7 of 41 FWIW, by landru2 Dec 14, 2003 (1:38 pm)
The 1/2 ton and 3/4 ton terms have been out of date for for a decade or more. Basing any decision on those designations won't get you anywhere.   Pulling a 6500lb trailer with a truck rated for 9800lb is well within safe parameters. However, did I read right that you you intend to pull it off the bumper? That would not be recommended and would likely be very unsafe.
#8 of 41 Towing by softstor Dec 14, 2003 (4:34 pm)
A bumper pull trailer is not a trailer that connects to a bumper. It is a trailer that connects to the trailer hitch on the back of the vehicle, supposed to a goose neck trailer that connects to a trailer hitch on the bed of the truck.
#9 of 41 Gotcha. by landru2 Dec 14, 2003 (7:09 pm)
Just making sure. :^)
#10 of 41 landru2 by mullins87 Dec 15, 2003 (5:30 am)
Being able to safely pull a trailer across across Kansas at 50 mph has absolutely no bearing on pulling that same trailer across the Rockies. It may very well fall within the stated ratings. However, have you ever compared the brakes on a 1/2 ton truck to those of a 3/4 or 1 ton? I can tell you from experience those "tin can" rotors and drums on a 1/2 ton will not stop a 15,000 lb vehicle on anything but flat ground. Where did I get 15,000 lbs? The combined weight of the 9,800 lb trailer and the approximately 5,000 lb truck. I will not give you any names, but I can point you to several examples of how using too small of a tow vehicle will get you into trouble.   BTW: I realize the 1/2, 3/4 and 1 ton designations are just that, designations. They give no indications of hauling/towing capacities.

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