Hi All,

This is my second post on the forum. I've been reading the threads and getting confused. I'm shopping for a Ford truck purchase, but know very little about them: basics about the trim packages, 150/250/350 lines, etc.

I am expecting to tow my buddy's tandem wheel box trailer (sticker photos attached) a couple times over the next few years. I think it's a 24-footer. I will need to drag it empty from TN to CA to load up some furniture, a couple loaded Craftsman tool chests, ladder, household stuff, pots n pans, etc. (Maybe 10 plastic totes worth) and return it to TN. Then all that stuff at some point will go from TN to FL. Separately I will drag it up to MI to haul a tricked out golf cart (approx 1,100 pounds) from MI to FL.

What should I be looking for in a truck to safely and comfortably tow these loads by my 200-pound self? Will an F150 do it, or should I look at a F250. Is an F250 overkill? What packages (confusing: convenience vs tow vs max tow) should I look for and what minimum payload capacity? I know not all the puzzle pieces are here for definitive answers, but this is what I'm working with so far.

Thanks, I appreciate any insight or advice offered.

EDJ

 

For a 24 ft box trailer that could weigh up to 10k pounds that I planned to tow all over the country, I would be looking for a 250. A gas model with either the 6.2 or 7.3 will do the job with no drama.

 

Any idea the max weight you will carry at one time? With household items I doubt if you would be close to the max so you may be ok with a well equipped for towing F150.

Also how tall is the trailer?

 

Here are the basics:
For any F150 the hitch limit is 1300 lb with a weight distribution hitch. That equals a 10000 lb trailer with 13% on the hitch. Of course that empty trailer will have a much lighter hitch weight and does not need the WDH. Your loaded trailer will likely be less than 10k, but if it is over 3800 lbs then you would need the WDH. Then consider what is added to the truck like people and cargo. All that has to be evaluated with respect the the truck cargo or load limit posted on the door column sticker. Of course the weight on the hitch subtracts from the cargo limit. F150s with no options have a higher cargo limit than a fully loaded truck. So that means an XL trim standard cab will have have higher cargo limit than a Lariat 4 door with all the whistles an bells like sun roofs and step tail gate.
I would not worry about which motor to choose. Both motors will do just fine with a slight degree of difference.

 

1,300 pounds is not on any F-150 hitch I have ever seen. 1,050, 1,160...

 

I think as mentioned, it's an issue of how loaded that trailer is going to be. If you go all the way to the GVWR you're going have a hard time with an f150. It looks like the trailer empty weighs like 4k. So if you just plan to put say, 2k worth of furniture and boxes in it (so 4k trailer + 2k load), you're good with an f150. Once you get into the range of loading it to like 8k+, it might get hairy for you.

 

Sorry, llr, I do not have the trailer nearby to measure. It is a box trailer typically used for enclosed hauling of a car. Maybe 8 feet tall? I'm not going to use it for that purpose, but let's say the most cargo I put in it will be about 3,500 lbs.

PaulWil, you said I'd be fine with either of the two motors. You mean the 6.2 or 7.3 on the F250? I think Ford has a dozen some-odd different motors in the trucks.

Am I reading those sticker labels correctly? The contents of the trailer should never exceed 6,090 lbs, and the trailer itself (empty) weighs 3900 lbs (9990 GVWR minus max cargo of 6090 lbs)? So in order to be able to handle the MAX this trailer can handle, I should make sure my truck payload should be at least 2,000 lbs (15% max tongue weight of 9990 is 1499 lbs, plus my 200 lb butt, plus 300 cargo). Realistically I'd like a higher than 2000 payload to allow a cushion for other passengers, other cargo, gasoline in tanks, etc.

Am I grasping these concepts correctly? I'm not sure how the 5,200 lbs max per axle fit into all this, that would be 10,400 lbs which exceeds the GVWR of 9900 so why even have that information? I'm mislead by the axles combined holding more than the entire trailer.

EDIT: According to a google lookup of the make and model of the trailer, I was initially incorrect: It is not 24 feet. It is 20 feet long and 8.5 feet high. Those specs are discovered via the model number and researched here: https://www.detrotrailers.com/showro...b.-Tandem-Axle

 

Thanks to the internet now you've seen one on an F150

 

If you want over 2K payload an F250 gas engine or higher with gas or diesel is your only choice. Ford does make a HDPP F150 that should work too, very few around, generally specially ordered

What will you use the truck for the rest of the time? I had 3/4 ton and we hated the ride not towing and other things, so we had to get a smaller trailer. Of course our 3/4 ton was a Chevy which could have been part of issue.

Our current TT is 32' overall and 8K GVWR and it tows well, our prior TT was 37' overall and 9500 GVWR and was scary a few times, personally I believe it was much more the length then the weight..

Personally if you stay a little under GVWR on the trailer and you don't need a high trim level it should work with a good WDH

 

This is all really helpful intel, thank you! llr, and HDPP? Heavy Duty Payload Package? The rest of the time the truck will be a grocery-getter. I'm retired now, so I no longer have a daily commute to worry about. I leave my current vehicle sitting for several days at a time, then take it on some errands. Less than 50 miles R/T each time.

I was looking at Blue Ox stuff, like you nave in your signature. Who installs those? Do they go on the truck or on the trailer? Do you find 1800 lbs payload limiting?