Ives

Hi, I have lots of questions about using my F150 to tow a Travel Trailer and what kind of set up is best and safest. So, here is what I have:
2010 F-150 XLT 4x4 Super Crew 5.5’ 145” wheel base, v8 4.6L the rear axle ratio 3.55 Non-LS (uploaded picture of door plate)

I don’t know if it has Max towing package; it doesn’t have the extended mirrors,but it does have the Integrated Brake Controller (looks factory installed) and a 7/4 connector beside the hitch. How can I tell what kind of towing package I have?
I think the payload is 1315 lbs? Is that right?
The information about the hitch is in the uploaded picture of hitch plate. (under the flash reads Hitch Type)

I will be pulling a Jayco Model 165 Jay Feather Sport 2007 TT – its GVWR is 3500 lbs; its UVW is 2877 lbs.

I have a Reese Tow Power 2” ball mount 2” drop and 3/4 “ rise. It says Class III, Mounting hole 1”, max trailer 6000 lbs, mas tongue 600 lbs. I also have another ball mount, same size, specs, etc, except it says it’s a class V and the capacity is 5000 lbs tongue 500 lbs. Which of these is better to use with my setup?
Do I need weight distribution hitch? Sway bars?
I am so overcome with information – and a lot of it conflicts, too -- that it’s hard to decide what I need to safely tow this TT.
I sure would appreciate any suggestions or any information you can give me.

Steve Osborne

1315lbs is correct


any tongue weight over 500lbs on an f150 needs the wdh hitch..


max tow was only 3.73/4.10 gearing...

brulaz

You should be able to tow that trailer without a WDH. Even if you've got the trailer loaded to its max 3500 and fixed things so the tongue weight was 500#, that would be over 14% tongue weight. Sway shouldn't be much of a problem with that.

And 500# tongue weight wouldn't dig too hard into your truck's payload.

I would give it a try and see how it handles. Try to get the tongue weight up to the max of 500# and see if it sways much. If it does, then maybe add a friction sway bar.

As for sag and front end lift, I doubt that the truck will sag much with just 500# on the hitch. In fact, I'm pretty sure that's why Ford limits their hitch receivers to 500# without a WDH.

As for the actual non-WDH hitch itself, you will want to use one with a drop that can level the trailer (or slightly nose down) and you'll need a ball size to match the trailer's hitch.