What size trailer??

[Diamondpilot]

Don't know about others experience but my 09 f150 with 5.4 does just fine towing 6500 lbs.

I agree. I have had 6 5.4L F-150's all 4x4 and all 3.73 gears except one with 4.10 gears since 1997. All have towed loads from 7,000# to nearly 10,000# throughout the hills of Southern Indiana, Kentucky, and Tennessee plus many flat states. While they did not win any races they did just fine. I have had trucks from GM, Dodge, and Nissan and none were any more capable then the F-150.

As for a trailer I would get a 18' 10,000# car hauler. Your tractor with loader and filled tires is pushing 6,000# and the trailer is going to be about 2,000# so a 7,000# trailer is just not going to cut it.

Chris

 

[Diamondpilot]

Thanks for all the replies, the truck is an '07 with 3.55 rear end I believe (FX4). It's rated less than the other ford models for hauling. I think 13,500 lbs. there are mountains to go over.... This would be to haul the tractor once or twice a month, about 400 miles round trip. New truck isn't an option since I just bought this one.

If I can find an 18 foot trailer/ 10,000 lb rating, that sounds like it might do the trick.

Also, I saw some trailers for sale with a Pintle hitch, is that desirable?

Thanks for the help

I am a trailer dealer part time and have a guide that will tell you everything there is to know about your truck. We know its a F-150, 2007, FX4(4x4), 5.4L, and 3.55 gears. If you tell me what bed length, short or long, and its and what cab, regular, super, or crew?

Tell me them two items and I will tell you the tow rating.

I can tell you its not 13,500#... That is probably your GCWR GCWR is the max weight of the truck and its cargo and occupants along with the trailer and its cargo. You tow rating is more likely somewhere between 7,500# and 8,500# with that gear ratio. If it were 3.73 gears it would be around 9,000# and if it were 4.10 gears it would be around 10,000#.

Chris

 

[deere5105]

I went through this same thing last year. I looked for months for a good used trailer in the 20' range. Everything I looked at was either in bad shape or cost close enough to just buy new.

When all said and done, I ordered a 22' 12K lbs trailer with electric brakes on both axles and the stand up ramps. I have a 2004 F150 FX4 with the 5.4 and 3.73 gears. I pull my JD 5303 4WD with FEL and an implement from time to time. Typically not more than once a month and not over 20 miles. The stand up ramps occasionally create a hindrance, but are easy to use. I would not purchase less than the 22' and after using for a year or so wouldn't mind an extra 2' for load balancing. By the time I pull the tractor with FEL up to the front, the rear wheel of the JD MX6 rotary cutter still hangs off the back a little and puts more tongue weight than preferred.

See attached pictures for examples of what I am talking about.

 

[KML]

Here is the Ford towing Guide for your truck. It'll tell you, based on engine chassis, etc what you are rated to tow.

https://www.fleet.ford.com/showroom/rv_trailer_towing/2007/07RVttslctrp16May07.pdf

It's from here: https://www.fleet.ford.com/showroom/rv_trailer_towing/default.asp

Plenty of other good info about ford trucks including wiring guides and the like:thumbsup:

I have a 20' 10K trailer and it gets small fast. With as far and often as you plan on hauling I'd say buy right the first time, you'll regret a trailer that is too small way more often than one thats too big.

My old 2001 F150 5.4 4x4 3.73 has pulled 6K -7K through Indiana, Kentucky, WV, and Pennyslvania no problem. It had to work in the hilly parts but it did the job fine.

 

[Dmace]

Thanks for all the replies, the truck is an '07 with 3.55 rear end I believe (FX4). It's rated less than the other ford models for hauling. I think 13,500 lbs. there are mountains to go over.... This would be to haul the tractor once or twice a month, about 400 miles round trip. New truck isn't an option since I just bought this one.

If I can find an 18 foot trailer/ 10,000 lb rating, that sounds like it might do the trick.

Also, I saw some trailers for sale with a Pintle hitch, is that desirable?

Thanks for the help

Your truck should be rated at around 7300-8300 lbs towing. Since it has the 3.55 rear end, you don't have the tow package which means no trans cooler, brake cooler, etc... Your hitch is probably only rated at 5,000 lbs towing / 500 lbs tongue unless you use a Weight Distribution hitch which you'll want anyways with that FX4 suspension which is softer than the normal suspension. Short trips will be fine but a 200 mile trip will quickly show any problems you may have.

I have had 6 5.4L F-150's all 4x4 and all 3.73 gears except one with 4.10 gears since 1997. All have towed loads from 7,000# to nearly 10,000# throughout the hills of Southern Indiana, Kentucky, and Tennessee plus many flat states. While they did not win any races they did just fine.

So how many times have you towed with an F150 with a 3.55 rear end? Short gearing (3.73, 4.10) quickly makes up for a weak engine.

I have had trucks from GM, Dodge, and Nissan and none were any more capable then the F-150.

Last I checked, the only GM and Dodge trucks you had were 3/4 ton. So your saying a 3/4 ton truck is not more capable than an F150 for towing...?

 

[Soundguy]

Thanks for all the replies, the truck is an '07 with 3.55 rear end I believe (FX4). It's rated less than the other ford models for hauling. I think 13,500 lbs. there are mountains to go over.... This would be to haul the tractor once or twice a month, about 400 miles round trip. New truck isn't an option since I just bought this one.

If I can find an 18 foot trailer/ 10,000 lb rating, that sounds like it might do the trick.

Also, I saw some trailers for sale with a Pintle hitch, is that desirable?

Thanks for the help

wow.. up to 2x a month, 400 miles , mountains.. wow.. I'd have 'more' truck and trailer than i needed doing that type / frequency haul.

soundguy

 

[Treemonkey1000]

wow.. up to 2x a month, 400 miles , mountains.. wow.. I'd have 'more' truck and trailer than i needed doing that type / frequency haul.

soundguy

X2:thumbsup:

 

[Diamondpilot]

So how many times have you towed with an F150 with a 3.55 rear end? Short gearing (3.73, 4.10) quickly makes up for a weak engine.

Last I checked, the only GM and Dodge trucks you had were 3/4 ton. So your saying a 3/4 ton truck is not more capable than an F150 for towing...?

None with 3.55 gears. I have always ordered mine so I speced them for the work I did.

The GM trucks I have owned were a S-10 Blazer with the 4.3L. That thing could not pull a sick ***** out of bed. The other was a 3500 Dmax. It was a good puller when not broke down or overheating. So no comparison there.

The Dodge as you know was a 2500 Hemi. It did no better than a properly equipped F-150 other than the larger brakes and suspension but pulling not much difference.

Chris

 

[jenkinsph]

wow.. up to 2x a month, 400 miles , mountains.. wow.. I'd have 'more' truck and trailer than i needed doing that type / frequency haul.

soundguy

x3^^^^

That is an easy job for a 3/4ton truck and a 10k 18' trlr. Otherwise I would still suggest you consider other alternatives such as secure storage nearby.

 

[Soundguy]

3.55 gears are darn tall. bet truck scoots along fast.. but I'd think terrible for towing.

I find I like the 4.11 on my 350 the best. good inbetween of the 3.73 speed on my 250 and the strength of 4.88 on my 450.

soundguy

None with 3.55 gears. I have always ordered mine so I speced them for the work I did.

Chris