Newbie to Towing, Advice Appreciated
 

I will be buying an F-150 in the near future and will be routinely towing a trailer that weights 7500 lbs. I am wondering if I should go with the 5.0 or 3.5 EcoBoost? Is the Max Tow Package recommended? Is there anything else I should be aware of? Any help with what to do or not to do is welcome. Thank you in advance.

Is that 7500lbs empty or GVWR? If it is empty what is the GVWR? What type of trailer? A travel trailer tows completely different then a boat.

I am happy with the 3.5 EB but either would probably be ok. I think other items on the truck are a bigger concern then the engine but more information is needed.

IMO, I have a 3.5 with maxtow, and that is getting close to what I would like to do comfortably. The 3.5 with maxtow is the better rated, and comes standard with a 36 gallon gas tank, but others will come along that love the 5.0 sound better. (me too by the way). I bought for the perceived superior towing specs. You didn't mention what you will be towing regularly. If it's a construction trailer or a travel trailer. If travel trailer and getting much over 25' box, personally I feel you are better off with a F250 gasser. Again, many on this site do more, bleed Ford blue blood, I'm just speaking from my many years of general boat and travel trailer towing experiences.

Get as much payload as you can find. If searching on lots, check the white and yellow Cargo Carrying Capacity (payload) sticker.
a 7500 GVWR Trailer has a tongue weight of approximately 1,000 pounds (7500*.13 = 975) + 100 or so pounds for a weight distributing hitch puts you at 1100 pounds against your payload and you have other stuff in the truck, yourself, family, pets, etc.

More bling = less payload.

I recommend Max Tow and the longer the wheelbase the better as well in terms of stability when towing.

A 7500 lb trailer is borderline F150 range. You're close to needing a F250. In fact if you plan to tow it " routinely", I'd skip F150 all together. If you were only towing that much a few times a year you might make it work. You're going to have to choose your truck and the options VERY carefully if you decide to try this with an F150. They make trucks equipped to do so, but most F150's won't handle that much weight. You're going to have to do a lot more research before signing any papers.

Do you already have the trailer and are trying to find a truck to pull it? Or are you planning to buy a truck then a trailer? Is this for work, or a travel trailer?

Thanks for your help- Some clarification- The trailer I have is a 6'x12' tandem axle cargo trailer. I just looked and the GVWR and it's 7000 lbs. The weight of the trailer empty is around 1800 lbs. Currently, the gear I haul in it weighs about 2200 lbs. My current mid-sized truck is struggling with that 4000 lb load even though it's rated to tow 5000lbs. I am trying to get a truck that will allow me to use the trailer to it's capacity of 7000lbs.

I can only speak about my own experiences. I currently have 30,000 miles on my truck with 8000 of those pulling a 7700 GVWR trailer that's 28' coupler to bumper.
It's a rock solid tow never had an issue that I thought the trailer would wag the truck. I agree you need to be sure of having enough payload but I've never had an issue loaded to the max. In fact I think it tows better maxed out. I'm not worried about being maxed out Ford makes the F150 with 6-7 weight ratings, if my truck couldn't carry 7050 lbs Ford lawyers/engineers would have rated it at 6500.

Safe travels

Just a brief reminder I read from another forum member, "we're not experts but we seem like it online"

1) Understand what payload means and how to apply it to a truck purchased used for towing
2) Stick with a moderately optioned XLT or lower trim. Lariats and Platinum comfort vehicles are too heavy to offer great payload for heavier trailers
3) Either motor will tow 7,000s...the 3.5 would be the preferred and is Fords tow vehicle. The V8 likes to rev more. The 3.5 has more lower end torque due to the turbos
Turbos can contribute to engine heat when towing up long grades while in the turbos, introducing heat back into the motor. The V8 would just need to say revved higher.

I think in 2017 the payload slightly increased in the 2020 or 2021 are higher.
My Lariat has a 1400 lb payload but newer Lariats equipped like mine are approaching 1600 or so. That extra 200lbs could be the difference in bringing a passenger or not.
If I sat it in with an 8,000lb trailer I'd be just about over weight, talking TV and higher tongue weights.
You will need to factor in a weight distribution hitch as your payload for the heavy trailer, it is required.

Just remember, you will never have too much truck but you'll very quickly know if you don't have enough.

You should be good with the 3.5 EB or 5.0, depending on how much you tow even the 2.7 EB is probably ok. I would try to get the max tow package but I believe any of the tow packages would be ok for that trailer. Your tongue weight is probably borderline on needing a WDH, even a harbor freight WDH should be ok for this. Not all F150s are rated to tow that trailer, but most are.