Do I need a new/different truck?
10-02-2017, 01:08 PM
#1
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Do I need a new/different truck?
Hi guys, Here is what I have: 2013 FX4, 5.0 SCAB, 20k miles. The wife and I are thinking about spending our winters down south(we live in Mpls.), and she would like me to buy an enclosed car trailer and tow her '15 mustang GT along so she has something to drive. My Question: Will my truck do this comfortably, or is it time start thinking about a new super duty?
10-02-2017, 01:16 PM
#2
Senile member
Mustang weighs what, 3500-3700lbs? What's an enclosed car trailer weigh? 3000-4000lbs?
With the frontal area of a car trailer and probably 6500-7,000lbs+, you might be pushing it. Definitely going to need a weight distributing hitch.
Peace of mind? 3/4 ton truck.
Why not an open deck car trailer? Your current truck would be just fine in that case.
With the frontal area of a car trailer and probably 6500-7,000lbs+, you might be pushing it. Definitely going to need a weight distributing hitch.
Peace of mind? 3/4 ton truck.
Why not an open deck car trailer? Your current truck would be just fine in that case.
10-02-2017, 01:30 PM
#3
Hi guys, Here is what I have: 2013 FX4, 5.0 SCAB, 20k miles. The wife and I are thinking about spending our winters down south(we live in Mpls.), and she would like me to buy an enclosed car trailer and tow her '15 mustang GT along so she has something to drive. My Question: Will my truck do this comfortably, or is it time start thinking about a new super duty?
Tow ratings can vary wildly depending on the trucks config.
10-02-2017, 02:24 PM
#4
Here, read this, https://www.f150forum.com/f82/number...9/#post5446734 to determine if your truck can handle it.
Seeing the FX4 models when I was looking around, there optioned similar to a Lariat 501a. The payloads ranged from 1600-1800 for Screw, probably more for Scab. So weight wise, as long as you have a tow package, I would say it could, but if payload is under 1600, look for a different truck for that much weight and frontal area.
Seeing the FX4 models when I was looking around, there optioned similar to a Lariat 501a. The payloads ranged from 1600-1800 for Screw, probably more for Scab. So weight wise, as long as you have a tow package, I would say it could, but if payload is under 1600, look for a different truck for that much weight and frontal area.
10-02-2017, 11:52 PM
#5
Grumpy Old Man
Hi guys, Here is what I have: 2013 FX4, 5.0 SCAB, 20k miles. The wife and I are thinking about spending our winters down south(we live in Mpls.), and she would like me to buy an enclosed car trailer and tow her '15 mustang GT along so she has something to drive. My Question: Will my truck do this comfortably, or is it time start thinking about a new super duty?
Your F-150 will do fine if you plan carefully,
add tow mirrors
and the Ford integrated trailer brake controller (ITBC)
and buy the right trailer. Enough trailer but not too much trailer.
Here are the tow mirrors: https://parts.autonationfordwhitebea...ow-fl3z17696aa
And add a good weight-distributing hitch with good sway control to the tongue of the trailer. Good weight-distributing hitch with good sway control includes the Equl-I-Zer, Blue Ox Swaypro, Reese Strait-Line with trunnion bars and adjustable shank, and Husky Centerline HD #31390. Buy one of those, not a cheaper hitch.
For the trailer you don't need an expensive "race trailer" or car hauler trailer. A good heavy-duty cargo trailer with the right options of ramp and tie-down "D" rings will work fine. For example, consider the PaceAmericn PXT8.5TE2 "extreme" cargo trailer.
GVWR 7,000 pounds, so just right for your 3,500 pound car in a 3,000 pound trailer.
Interior length 221" (18.4'), so plenty for your Pony with room to tie it down tight.
Interior width 96" (8'), so again plenty for the Pony with room to load it and tie it down.
Payload 4,090, and I hope your Pony doesn't weigh 4,000 pounds, even with a back seat and trunk full of stuff.
D-rings are optional, along with an upgraded ramp, so order them.
http://www.paceamerican.com/trailers...-cargo-trailer
Last edited by smokeywren; 10-03-2017 at 12:05 AM.
10-03-2017, 07:15 PM
#7
Grumpy Old Man
Your 2.7L EcoBoost has enough power and torque to PULL a 7,500-pound boat+trailer. But how did the GVW compare to the GVWR of your F-150?
Most boat trailers have only about 8% tongue weight, so about 600 pounds tongue weight for a 7,500 pound boat+trailer.
But TTs average 13% tongue weight, so about 910 pounds tongue weight for a 7k TT. Does your F-150 when wet and loaded for the road have enough unused payload capacity to handle that additional 310 pounds of hitch weight without exceeding the GVWR of the tow vehicle?
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10-03-2017, 09:07 PM
#8
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Johnnyd359 (10-10-2017)
10-03-2017, 09:08 PM
#9
Your 2.7L EcoBoost has enough power and torque to PULL a 7,500-pound boat+trailer. But how did the GVW compare to the GVWR of your F-150?
Most boat trailers have only about 8% tongue weight, so about 600 pounds tongue weight for a 7,500 pound boat+trailer.
But TTs average 13% tongue weight, so about 910 pounds tongue weight for a 7k TT. Does your F-150 when wet and loaded for the road have enough unused payload capacity to handle that additional 310 pounds of hitch weight without exceeding the GVWR of the tow vehicle?
Most boat trailers have only about 8% tongue weight, so about 600 pounds tongue weight for a 7,500 pound boat+trailer.
But TTs average 13% tongue weight, so about 910 pounds tongue weight for a 7k TT. Does your F-150 when wet and loaded for the road have enough unused payload capacity to handle that additional 310 pounds of hitch weight without exceeding the GVWR of the tow vehicle?
10-04-2017, 12:52 AM
#10
Junior Member
Speed is key
JB Hunt governs their company trucks at 62mph for fuel mileage; I towed my 12x6 fully loaded at 81 because "I could". A trip to the dealer for some transmission work, (under warranty, thankfully) and I decided JB was onto something.
Loaded, now, I pass at 67mph, but I typically have cruise set between 62 and 65. Don't be afraid or shocked to be going up hill at 50 or 55; but turn your flashers on. It's all about keeping the motor in its comfortable power range without running 6k rpms.
If your p/up is like mine, invest in a Trans Temp gauge.
My 2 pennies 😃
Loaded, now, I pass at 67mph, but I typically have cruise set between 62 and 65. Don't be afraid or shocked to be going up hill at 50 or 55; but turn your flashers on. It's all about keeping the motor in its comfortable power range without running 6k rpms.
If your p/up is like mine, invest in a Trans Temp gauge.
My 2 pennies 😃
Last edited by JHRex; 10-04-2017 at 10:54 AM. Reason: sp
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Velosprout (10-12-2017)