BadBolt

Greetings all, my first post on this board.

I've pulled trailers with the Lightnings I've owned, single and double axle, steel and aluminum trailers. All have been under 5k.

I have a 7x14 Haulmark Capri steel frame toy hauler/camper that weighs in at 4260. Tongue weight has to be north of 800 lbs, as the kitchen/bath/toilet is all fore in the trailer. I do have a weight distribution hitch that works very well and my truck chassis is just about 1/2' higher in the front than the back. The trailer is a dual axle with electric brakes and a controller. Tows well with the Class IV hitch.

FYI, the Lightning has the 5.4L supercharged engine with the F250 Super Duty transmission converted to gas operation. It also has the 9.75 Expedition rear end with disc brakes all around. The truck pulls like a tank.

That said, I have a chance to pick up a 28 ft 97 Gulfsream Yellowstone 5th wheel for $2500. Super deal! This model comes in at 8020 lbs. Not sure of the hitch weight. Probably somewhere in the 1000 lb area.

The Lighting is rated at 5k tow and about a 1300 lb bed rating.

I kinda' think I'd be able to tow this thing with a good hitch and air leveling bags in the back.

After all what determines a tow rating.

What say you all

Looks just like this one. But, only has one dining room slide out.

http://youtu.be/BovrbKWtcUU

MPETE

iTrader: (1)

you just said the truck is only rated to tow 5000# and youre asking us if you think is ok to pull an 8000# trailer with it? REALLY!?!?!?!?!?

I could understand SLIGHTLY going over the rated capacity, and not be too concerned. but you are talking over 3000# OVER THE RATED CAPACITY. that is more than slightly. PLUS, your talking about permanently modifying your truck to add a 5th wheel hitch.

I am fairly confident the lightning rear springs are no where near up to the task of supporting that kind of weight. PERIOD. and lets not forget that not only do you have to factor in the tongue weight of the trailer, but the 5th wheel hitch itself weighs a couple hundred #s as well.

the engine may or may not be up to towing that type of weight, the SC definitely adds HP and TQ, but it also creates a lot of excess heat, then you complicate matters by towing a lot of weight. you are just looking for trouble with the cooling system of the engine AND transmissions.

yes the rear axle is the same as the exped, so it is up to the task.

how about tires. I HIGHLY doubt the tires on a lightning it rated to carry any kind of weight like that trailer. what about the wheels them selves? are they rated for a weight capacity that high?

the brakes are pretty stout on the lightning, so I wouldnt even be concerned about stopping that much weight.

and NONE of this takes into consideration the fact that this trailer is more than DOUBLE the length of your truck. that is A LOT of trailer length behind a very insubstantial truck.

ever heard the old saying "the tail wagging the dog"? try this and you will learn the meaning REAL SOON.


seriously, if this is a one time thing just to get it home, then please go rent a truck capable of safely hauling that type of trailer, or pay someone to tow it home for you. those options are much less expensive than the legal costs associated with vehicular manslaughter after you wreck your truck and trailer and kill someone in the process.

and if for some reason you do decide to do this, please announce it on here first and let us know when and where you will be doing this so us and our families can avodi said area at all cost.

F150/4me

All I ask is u post picks, I love carnage

scobar

iTrader: (4)

I'd say get a super duty if you want to pull trailers, the lighting while designed to do some towing, isn't really what it was built for...you can put a hitch on a stang and prob pull a boat as well...

Notch

LMAO at this guy

on a serious note, I consider the Lightning to be a sport truck, hell I wouldnt even tow my little single axle lawn trailer with one, but then again ,my buddy pulled his race trailer with his lightning, but it was highly modified motor, trans, rear and had some sort of custom airbags and hidden hitch,(it ran faster times than the mustang) he pulled his mustang int the trailer.

This was his setup, he was/is considering a superduty to tow it (the silver and black mustang is his)

Hunttman01

Lol at the guy talking about the tail wagging before the dog or whatever expression he used. Longer, heavier trailers sway a lot less then small light trailers. For example, a 4x8 tilt bed sways like no other empty, but pulls like a dream loaded with scrap.... And the empty car trailer pulls even better....

BadBolt

I totally agree. I remember towing a Pace American two place 8x12 steel frame single axle that had a somewhat short hitching point. That sucker would always sway in a light crosswind.

Next trailer was a 8x16 with a much longer hitching point and it pulled like a dream.

Next, was a full steel frame car hauler I rented to mule my 93 Aerostar to my brother in law's house one state over. With proper load balancing, it pulled like silk.

The longer, the better.

The Lightning is a pickup....a pickup with a hot motor, better trans, better rear end and the same tow rating as its same year bretheren. It's fully capable. I get the feeling with some comments that the Lightning is less than a F-150...not true. It's the best 4x2 short bed one could own.

I won't comment on some of the backhanded sarcasm I got by only asking a question and putting out there something I was CONSIDERING, only to say thank you very little.

I do believe the truck could pull that 5th wheel for short hauls. I don't think I would run it much more than that. And the cost of the hitch system, not to mention what I would have to do to my badass truck may not be worth the hassle.

I think I'll stick to travel trailers and find one that is as big/long as I can safely handle. I think I'm limited to about 26' or thereabouts. Some of the newer trailers are pretty light in dry weight and tongue weight.

MPETE

iTrader: (1)

I never once said the lightning was a lesser F150, but I also would not consider towing this trailer with ANY OTHER reg cab short bed F150, PERIOD, especially when its 3000+ over the rated capacity of the truck.
while I am not 100% up to speed on what exactly is under a lightning, I do know its lowered from the factory and I would venture to say its due to different springs. am I wrong on this? again, I also bring up the tires. what are the tires rated for?

its your truck and your money, do what you want to do. you say it sounds to you like people are talking down about the lightning, well it sounds to me liek if anyone had a difference in opinion you take offense to what they have to say.
you asked for thoughts and opinions and that was all I responded with. if you didnt want to hear my answer you shouldnt have asked the question

xdrockstar

DO IT. You won't have a problem

Frank McGrath

I would not tow this trailer with the Lightning. Dual rear wheels will give you more stability when towing. I have a 97 Flare side. I went ahead and bought a 14 Supercrew to tow our 31 ft camper. I would have had to modify the little truck so much. Good luck.