TV F150

Burning Question from a "newbie".

Do I need to go up to an F 250 in order to safely pull a 26' enclosed car trailer? OR can I get away with using an F 150 SD SC possibly 4wd and with a gear ratio below a 3.55? such as a 3.73 or 4.10? Can you even find an F150 SD with a 4.10 gear?

I want to buy a truck that will pull this trailer and stay in OVERDRIVE on the highway!
Right now my little 5200 GVW 99 F150 with 5.4 engine and 3.55 rear cant pull the load in OD.

I have a flat open trailer that it does the job fine with - and stays in OD most of the time but with the enclosed trailer. it just pulls it back out of OD soon after getting into OD -- It just wont stay -- too much load!
Who can lend me some advice on whether i can do it with a later F150 or must I move up to an F250?
thanks
TV

amascio

This is a good question for John deere farmer who post here occasionally.
Or better yet, swing by pickuptrucks. Com and check out his entries there. He has a genuine working EB and his post are quite informative.

eagle driver

I have a 2010 150 SC 4WD 5.4 with a 3.73 and pull an enclosed 26' trailer. We pull our Shelbys to shows , so payload in the trailer is around 5K lbs +/-... It goes at 65 mph in 6th gear just fine. No issues whatsoever and gets around 20 MPH highway when towing.

You'll be fine with the 5.0 or the EB with a 26'.

srsfunk

Hmmm, I'm only pulling a 20' enclosed with my 2010 5.4 and I'm not impressed. I have the tow package, WD hitch, factory brake controller, ect. and to me it just doesn't feel like enough truck. I do pull some hills and thats were it really struggles, it does it but not well. I wish I had waited and bought the EB but I didn't want a first year truck. I'm planning on a bigger trailer soon but not till I get a Powerstroke.

With only 7500 miles I'm hoping for a good trade number next year.

rrp0968

I am assuming you meant 20 MPG when towing. I am going to call BS.....no way is any 5.4l getting 20 MPG towing anything.

ftrucktough

I smell a troll.....

ummduh

Well, for what it's worth, in a 99 you should NOT be towing in OD at all. These new 6 speeds evidently can take it, but those older 4 speeds are NOT designed for it. Hopefully since you have the 5.4 you don't have the 4r70w (thats not a guarantee though ) , and instead have the much stronger e4od/4r100, but it is still not supposed to be done.

BTW, being in OD doesn't always mean better mileage.

TheKurgan

+1 Especially with an anti-aerodynamic enclosed trailer loaded with 2 cars and those options. He's going to be lucky to get 10mpg.

Mostlyhunting

Maybe his trailer has a motor in it! Lol, I don't think my 2010 platinum 4x4 5.4 liter would get 20 if I was driving 65 and not pulling anything.... But I could be wrong, I drive 85mph everywhere I go and get about 16mpg so maybe, but no way with a trailer...

Platinum_Sean

What is the loaded trailer weight?

I am about 9000 lb abd got 23L/100 km recently. About 10 MPG (US).