Topic Sponsor
2004 - 2008 Ford F150 General discussion on the 2004 - 2008 Ford F150 truck.

Pulling an enclosed car trailer

Old 04-07-2007, 10:58 AM
  #1  
Junior Member
Thread Starter
 
davmcn's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2007
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts

Default Pulling an enclosed car trailer

Hey -

I am looking for opinions on this - I have a recently purchased '07 F150 4X4 FX4 truck and am wanting to tow a 20' enclosed trailer containing an older Ford Mustang. The truck is equipped with the towing package and the 5.4 Triton engine. Question 1 - Can this truck safely do that? Question 2 - Do I need a brake controller installed?

As you can see, I am new to towing trailers and such and I want to make sure that I put neither my new truck or old Mustang at risk. Any input will be very much appreciated!

Thanks,
Old 04-07-2007, 12:01 PM
  #2  
Big George
 
spoolinawdtsi's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2007
Posts: 39
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post

Default Towing

I just bought a 06 xlt super crew 5.4 4x4 an it pulled my 5500 lb 24ft boat just fine but the trailor has surge brakes! I cruised along at 75 but I did turn off the cruise control!
Old 04-07-2007, 01:20 PM
  #3  
08 February TOTM
 
whitecrystal1's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: Dumfries, VA Member: #77
Posts: 3,184
Likes: 0
Received 19 Likes on 7 Posts

Default

Question 1 - Can this truck safely do that?

Sure, why not I tow 6.5K with mine with no problem




Question 2 - Do I need a brake controller installed?

It depends on what kind of brakes the trailer has. If it has surge brakes the no. But if it has electric brakes like mine does then yes.
Old 04-07-2007, 05:26 PM
  #4  
Junior Member
 
bulridr23's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Boondocks,Fl
Posts: 15
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts

Default

The truck can easily do it, I strongly suggest that you do not tow in overdrive. As far as an electric brake. The real question is to think of the terrain you would be driving on.
Old 04-09-2007, 10:17 PM
  #5  
Senior Member
 
06f150lariat's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: Miami, FL
Posts: 358
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts

Default

why do not put the car in o/d??
Old 04-09-2007, 10:26 PM
  #6  
08 February TOTM
 
whitecrystal1's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: Dumfries, VA Member: #77
Posts: 3,184
Likes: 0
Received 19 Likes on 7 Posts

Default

Overdrive is OK as long as it can stay in it without it shifting in and out of it while towing the load. I keep it out with my boat because it won't stay in it without down shift because of the hills where I live.
Old 04-10-2007, 07:51 AM
  #7  
NGM
Resident A-hole
 
NGM's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: Tallahassee
Posts: 4,098
Likes: 0
Received 31 Likes on 22 Posts

Default

Originally Posted by davmcn
Hey -

I am looking for opinions on this - I have a recently purchased '07 F150 4X4 FX4 truck and am wanting to tow a 20' enclosed trailer containing an older Ford Mustang. The truck is equipped with the towing package and the 5.4 Triton engine. Question 1 - Can this truck safely do that? Question 2 - Do I need a brake controller installed?

As you can see, I am new to towing trailers and such and I want to make sure that I put neither my new truck or old Mustang at risk. Any input will be very much appreciated!

Thanks,
Originally Posted by 06f150lariat
why do not put the car in o/d??
Yes it will pull it. I highly recommend sway control though because of the enclosed trailor being blown pretty easy. All new Dbl axle trailers have or should have electric brakes on them so you do need a hookup for them.

The reason you do not pull in ODis not the switching in and out so much as the OD has the smallest set of clutches and will burn up very easy.
Old 04-13-2007, 02:37 PM
  #8  
Junior Member
Thread Starter
 
davmcn's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2007
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts

Default

Thanks very much for all of the information. I feel better now about my purchase and besides, I will only be pulling this trailer on a very limited basis - maybe a couple times a year. I also purchased the Prodigy Brake controller and have posted a seperate question about it.

Thanks again!
Old 04-13-2007, 07:35 PM
  #9  
Senior Member
 
06f150lariat's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: Miami, FL
Posts: 358
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts

Default

how much can the 04-07's really tow with the 5.4L engine
Old 04-13-2007, 09:03 PM
  #10  
NGM
Resident A-hole
 
NGM's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: Tallahassee
Posts: 4,098
Likes: 0
Received 31 Likes on 22 Posts

Default

Originally Posted by 06f150lariat
how much can the 04-07's really tow with the 5.4L engine
Depends on the truck. Some are set up to tow 5000 some up to 11,000. Depends on the package you bought.

Thread Tools
Search this Thread
Quick Reply: Pulling an enclosed car trailer



All times are GMT -4. The time now is 07:16 PM.