jdog0411

Hi....I'm a relative noob when it comes to towing, but I'm about to start towing a car to car shows and need some guidance on what I can expect with my configuration, and anything I should equip my truck with to handle the job.

My truck is a 2013 Ecoboost 4x4 Super Crew, with the short bed, 3.73 rear gears and E-locking differential. I don't have the max tow package, although I do have the integrated trailer brake controller. The truck also has a 2" level, with the rear completely stock. The tires are 285/60R20 Goodyear Duratracs.

The trailer I'm going to be towing is an 8.5' x 20' enclosed car hauler, with a GVWR of 7000 pounds. I'm not certain what the empty trailer wight is, but it has twin axles that are each rated for 3500 pounds. The car I'm going to be towing inside the trailer has a curb weight of 3350 lbs.

Will this trailer/load pose any problems for the truck? Should I get a weight distribution hitch? I believe the tow rating on the truck stock is in excess of 9000 lbs so I should be ok, but not sure how much the level and larger tires would affect the capacity or the handling.

Thanks in advance.

Steve Osborne

it'll be you hitch and regular draw bar that'll restrict your towing..without the wdh your hitch will max out around 5-600 tongue and 5-6000 towing weight..

i have an open 18ft car hauler and use a drawbar rated for 6000... but i have yet to load it that heavy....sunfires,grand ams, saturns and an old 1950 desoto sofar is the heaviest thats been pulled...i do have a wdh hitch rated for 1000 tongue and 10000 towing...just need to get around to setting it up..

jeffinthebag

Also, are you just going around town on short quick trips or long cross state rides? A WDH is all you need really. Watch the tounge weight and place the car in the trailer so it doesn't overload your payload capacity.

jdog0411

First trip with it is actually going to be a 1,600 mile trip from Colorado to Pennsylvania.

jeffinthebag

I would use a WDH. Also weigh the tounge of the trailer.

PHX 150

I have a 8 X 20 enclosed, and it weighs 2800 lbs.
I would guess yours weighs a tad more with the extra width. The trailer should have a tag stating it's weight, and how much is remaining of the 7000 lb. max.
Assuming 3000 lb. trailer weight, + a 3,350 car, you have a total of 6,350 lbs.
Correctly set up, you should have 600 - 900 lbs. Of tongue weight, over the 500 lb. spec from Ford suggesting a WD hitch.
I'd get a good WD hitch with sway control for that long a pull.

Out of curiosity, post a pic of the car you're showing!

jdog0411

Ok, I'll go ahead and get an Equilizer WD hitch with sway control. The trailer is being built for me now, so I am estimating what the empty weight will be, but I think your numbers are close to what the actuals will be.

Here is a pic of the car. It is a 1996 Corvette Grand Sport, with only 2,000 miles on it. I'm bringing it to the Corvettes at Carlisle show in Carlisle, PA.

SkiSmuggs

Excellent! I found RVWarehouse.com to have great prices on that hitch.

Oops, RVWholesalers

http://www.rvwholesalers.com/catalog...ailer-hitches/

jdog0411

Awesome, I'll check that out. It does seem pretty pricey.

jdog0411

Just ordered the Equalizer 1000/10000 lb WD hitch, associated hitch ball, lube and extra pins from that site. Definitely not cheap, but I think that is the best product out there.

Thanks for the advice!