Buying Advice Trailer sizing for truck

[RugerSAfan]

Rechecked axle ratio : 3.73, the largest offered on that years F-150. I purposely sacrificed performance for towing capacity.

 

[jjp8182]

Lot of good advice ...though I'd second the thought that unless you're having to travel on an interstate for that 3.5 miles (or there's something else that makes hauling on a trailer preferable/required) driving it could be plausible.

3.5 miles @ 10 mph (roughly advertised top speed of L2501) would take 21 minutes
3.5 miles @ 15mph (roughly advertised top speed of L4701) would take 14 minutes

While you'd want to check your state/local laws, I'd think both tractors have all the necessary equipment to be legally driven on roadways (where there isn't a minimum speed limit as there is on interstates) -- particularly since they would fall into a slow-moving vehicle category where the Slow Moving Vehicle (SMV) placard/triangle would be used.

Just a thought.

Edit: disregard ...the situation described as this was written makes a lot of sense to trailer

 

[dodge man]

I would say your total weight is going to be 9000 to 10000 lbs, that’s tractor and trailer. Properly loaded you are ok as long as you do not have much other stuff or people. You need a 10,000 lb trailer. Ford is very clear, any tongue weight over 500 lbs or trailer over 5,000 lbs needs a WDH. For a short trip is it mandatory? Your call.

If you have the backup assist you have the trailer package. It may or may not include a brake controller. Fords factory controller is great, you can add it very easily.

I have the same year truck, super cab, 3.55 gears, 5.0 engine, and what you will be towing if you get the bigger tractor would be the upper limit I’d say.

 

[Balazar]

4 miles? I would do it with a 10k trailer and no worries. I've towed some, um, things that other members would have strong openions about if I told you about them. There is some good sound advise in this thread. I think you can safely, legally and confidently do either machine with that truck.

 

[Blue Mule]

My 24' enclosed trailer has a 9,990 GVWR. When I put my 4,000+ lb. tractor and loader inside and strap it all down, I'm probably in the 8,000 lb. total weight range. My Ram 1500 EcoDiesel tows it like a dream. 7th gear below 2,000 RPM @ 68 MPH. No sweat.

Trailer brakes are a must, not an option. Gotta' have them.

 

[deezler]

Truck info:
2017 F150 V8, Crew Cab w/ 157' bed, 1.73 ratio

Your truck specs sound AMAZING, lol.

Good advice from others thus far. Too bad you don't feel comfortable driving on the roads.... 3.5 miles wouldn't take too long and would sure be faster than loading and unloading it. No sneaky back road route? Cut through some subdivisions?

BUT, a trailer setup gives you the option for going anywhere else. Your truck should handle it fine.