Dundee_Dude

Guys,

I have a 2010 F150 XLT Supercrew with -

4.6 3 V Engine
6 Speed Auto Trans
3.55 "Regular Axle" 7000 Package
Trailer Tow with Electronic Brake

I need to tow a 4,000 vehicle about 300 miles each direction on Monday. Last time I towed, I did an open trailer and had a good amount of sag. I since purchased the Active Suspension setup and just installed it. I'm still a little nervous of towing with an enclosed trailer.

I can go with either an open trailer again, which I really don't want to do. Or try the trip with an enclosed trailer. Looking at different sites, it looks like the weight of a 24' enclosed trailer is close to 4,000 dry. Doesn't this mean 4,000 trailer plus 4,000 car mean I'm over my limit already?

I've searched and searched and still a little nervous. Any feedback would be great.

Thanks!

bubbabud

If your hauling a car go with a open trailer unless its a rare clasic the open trailer is lighter and has less frontal area. it sounds like your planing to rent so go with a trailer desighned as a car hauler. Depending on the vehicle type your moving you might even consider a 2 wheel dolly.

Platinum12

If the sag you are talking about is the back of the truck, then you are using the wrong hitch. The hitch on your truck is rated for the use of a weight distributing hitch. If you are using one of these hitches you will not have sag. It will not matter what kind of trailer tow, if you use one of these hitches your truck will be level.


For example my truck without a weight distributing hitch would have a max trailer weight of 5000lbs and a max tongue weight of 500lbs. With a distributing hitch you can have a trailer max of 11,300lbs and a tongue weight of 1,130 lbs.

Kenferg1

Sag is caused by your hitch weight. If you go with open trailer try to keep the weight on the hitch under 500 lbs. That is the max hitch weight on my 2011. You should be able to do that by placing the car. Otherwise you will need a weight distributing hitch.

Dundee_Dude

My hope is to rent a 20' or 24' enclosed trailer to put a Muscle Car in it. I would say I haven't had great experience with towing with my F150.

Each enclosed trailer would have a Weight Distribution Hitch.

Do you think the truck can handle an enclosed with my set up?

Buck183

Excessive sag would be due to improper tongue weight, not necessarily over weight.

When hauling an auto of any kind it should be VERY easy to position the vehicle properly on/in the trailer in such a way that weight is evenly distributed.

It's a no brainer.........

Buck

fordfan77

I've used both open and closed trailers behind my '09. Mine will tow both. I would choose the open trailer, since you plan on doing this weekly. It may not hurt your truck to tow overweight a time or two, but I wouldn't do it every week.

Also, open or closed, with that many towing trips, you should use a trailer brake controller also. And check your trucks brakes often.

Dundee_Dude

Well, I picked up the 24' enclosed and will see how the truck pull it. At the rental place, the guy thought I was nuts. He claims NO ONE has ever tried to tow these enclosed car haulers with a 1/2 ton truck before. I told him I will let him know how it goes.

Driving home with an empty trailer 25 miles the first impression was it swayed more then I'm used too. I used to tow a lot with a 3/4 Ton Chevy with a Duramax.

The big 'ol Dodge is in the trailer and tomorrow I will drive 600 miles. I'll report back on how it goes.

Here is the trailer unloaded-


Here it is with a 3,700 pound car!


The Active Suspension really helped out a lot from my last towing experience!

According to Wells Cargo's web site the trailer weight is 3,500 pounds. The car is 3,700 pounds, so I'm at a total of 7,200. The owners manual claims my truck is good for 7,700. I have virtually nothing in the bed of my truck, and nothing else besides a spare and a jack in the truck with the car.

Off I go...

GlennRMK

Nice.

It will work your truck pretty hard, but as long as you keep her around 65 you will be fine.

And that will be nothing like towing with a Duramax. Prepare for lots of 4000+ RPM.

I'm sure it will get the job done though.

Nice Charger too! That about a 70 R/T?

Dundee_Dude

Good eye! Yep, it's a 70 Charger RT. It's actually my "dream Charger". BUT, the facts are I sold it to get another car that I thought I would never in my life own - a Superbird.

I may "white knuckle" it for 10 hours tomorrow, but it will be worth it!

Here is a better picture of my 70. Owned it 10 years, put virtually NO miles on it.


And, a picture of the 'bird.


I love my Fords, but also my Muscle Car Mopars!