Hey all, this is my first time posting here. I browsed around for a bit but was not able to find a thread close enough to my situation and figured I would post to see if any one has been in my situation or can offer helpful advice. I have found myself in a bit of a situation and I am really starting to worry that I might have screwed up or been screwed over. I recently purchased my first f-150 from of all places, a jeep dealer, and I am really starting to regret my decisions.


For the backstory, I work as an engineer and have driven plenty of different work trucks and actually found that out of all the ones I drove I liked the f-150 the best. Recently I moved to Washington State for a new job opportunity and due to the insane housing prices up here I decided that buying a travel trailer and living at nice trailer parks would be cheaper and better than living in apartments. I had to part ways with my reliable taco but due to my on the job truck test driving, I knew what I wanted and I started searching for newer f-150s. I am not looking to tow a huge travel trailer, something in the 25-28 ft and 5000-6000 lb dry weight will easily be pulled by the newer 10 speed f-150s. Anyways, I found a used crew cab 2019 5.0 XLT F-150 at a nearby jeep dealer that was a decent price, the downside was that it did not come with the factory hitch installed. I told the salesman that I was not interested but he assured me that he used to sell f-150s and that it was no problem at all to add an after market hitch/ 7 pin adapter. He pulled up the ford catalogue and was showing me that my model truck was capable of towing up to 9000 lbs and my payload was around 2000. He assured me up and down that the truck would tow that and putting a hitch on was something they do all the time, so I thought okay why not and I agreed to purchase the truck. The purchase of the truck was dependent on the installation of the hitch/ 7 pin adapter and was added into the auto loan.


I drive the truck home and am told it will be a couple weeks to get the proper parts in and due to the virus everything is taking longer. In the mean time I get a trailer break controller installed and programmed into the truck, I added tow mirrors, and nice floor mats. Eventually I take the truck in and when I get it back the auto dealer mechanic told me they couldn't install the 7pin adapter and that I would need to buy the wiring harness and put that in before they could do that. Also I find that the hitch is only a bumper mounted hitch and cannot handle more that 5,000 lbs and 500 lbs tongue weight. I even called and asked the parts department if that hitch was a class 3 or 4 hitch and they told me it was a class 4 hitch. Anyways I finally got a meeting with the sales manager and he looks at it and agrees that it is inadequate and tells me to give him a few days and he will call me and tell me what they are going to do. A few days goes by and he says that they made an appointment at a nearby RV place to get the proper hitch/ 7 pin adapter installed and I think great this is finally done. Well two more days goes by and I get called again being informed that the general manger heard about all of this and he doesn't even want to mess with the hitch stuff and just wants to exchange trucks.


This is currently where I am at, I am so frustrated by all of this and have been doing my best to stay calm and rational but this is really testing my patience. They tried telling me they had a 2018 f150 or maybe even a dodge...Does anyone here know what my recourse could be here is? I specifically wanted the year, the engine size, the trim, everything about the truck I have plus the ability to tow the trucks full 9,000 lbs its rated for. Would I have to get another auto loan? Do I have to pay sales tax again? Why would the dealer be so motivated to exchange trucks and not just tell me to pound sand?


Also, if I end up stuck with the truck I bought am I even able to install a class 4 hitch on the truck and use a weight distribution hitch without messing up the trailer? I feel like such a dumb@$$ for buying a used ford without a hitch from a jeep dealer and being told they can install one no problem.


I really appreciate any advice anyone is willing to offer, thank you!

 

Your payload is not 2,000 pounds. Read the yellow door sticker.

You cannot tow 9,000 pounds. Your payload will limit you to much less.

With the proper frame mounted hitch you can tow more than 5,000 pounds with a wdh. https://www.etrailer.com/hitch-2019_Ford_F-150.htm

 

My '20 XLT 5.0 has a payload of 1934lbs so what makes you think his can't be 2k?

 

Almost never an exact number. Rarely that high. Salesman showed him brochure number online he stated.

 

Still no reason to be absolute that it's not 2k, exact or not, it's very possible that it is that high. Mine is proof of that.

 

You can get a class IV hitch and fairly easily install it from a number of places, hell U-Haul has them, E-trailer, etc. Not quite sure why a 7 pin round to 4 pin flat adapter "won't work", it's a very common thing...but once again, you can find everything you need at multiple places...I mean I get that your dealer fawked you, so...you can either take the gravel in the vaseline or you can go fix things yourself.

Gawd...towing 'ratings'...so YES, your truck CAN haul 9,000 pounds...per se. SHOULD you? Not really...not on a regular basis. But it can be done. Many of us have towed FAR beyond the recommended weights from time to time, you just have to be smart about it.

My advice would be to go to your local U-Haul or if you have one, Redneck Trailer and get yourself set up, then use your truck.

 

Exactly. And it isn't like the vehicle EXPLODES or something if you go overweight. I've had 3,000 pounds...maybe a lot more...of dirt/sand/gravel in my 2010 several times.

 

If you have a signed contract that states they will install a class 4 hitch and pin adapter included in the sale price go back to the dealership and fight it out with the manager. Be nice at first but if you keep getting the run around then be very loud in the middle of the dealership. I've gotten things done by being nice at first but losing it if you have to. Sometimes they will take care of you just to get rid of you.

 

You stated you had the brake controller installed ....... if it was an under the dash unit they should have added a 7pin plug and wiring. ..... if you had a factory dash installed it must of had factory wiring to install. And that also needs a 7 pin.

So to help you out ......................... year make and model .......... what is mounted under the rear bumper in the way of an electrical plug? photo would help.

etrailer is an excellent site for information.

I have installed brake controller on many different cars and trucks over the years. Give us good info and we can solve your problem. Get all you info together, make a list of what you need, and then go back to the dealer to make it right.

 

My current plan is to see what they have to offer as an "exchange," but the more I think about it I would rather not have to take out another loan. I am not planning on getting a super heavy trailer, only 5000-6500 dry.

It looks like getting an after market class4 hitch installed and the wiring harness for the 7 pin adapter will not be too difficult. Aside from the trailer break controller, what other little upgrades should I add to the truck to make towing safer?

Also, I purchased the extended warranty from the dealer. I wonder if installing an after market hitch would violate the warranty?