Hi there-

I am looking to buy a truck to eventually pull a trailer with but am having a hard time finding answers to a couple questions that I have and was hoping someone might be able to help. 

I am looking at  the Ford F-150 with a V8 engine- is that a big enough truck/engine to pull a smaller 2-3 horse trailer?  Or do I need a different engine size or truck?  Any feedback or comments would be great.  Thanks.

Just out of curiosity I'm wondering how you arrived at the F150?  I shopped all the 1/2 tons recently, and the Ford is trailing the competition when it comes to power in their top end V8.  With that said, they also advertise a "properly equipped" towing capacity that is 11,000 lbs, that seems very optimistic to me given the fact their engine simply is the lowest output V8 in the class.  I know there are other factors to consider, but for towing ability I didn't put the Ford at the top of my list.

Good Luck with your search, I think the general opinion would be to get something with more power and stopping ability. 

Steve

From what I've heard it often leads to other diseases as well...

1. Truck-itis - The need for the bigger truck to fit the bigger trailer purchased as a result of trailer-itis
2. Need More horses-itis - the compulsive need to fill the stalls brought on by the trailer-itis, and compounded by truck-itis
3. Accessor-itis - The confounding need to purchase things you really don't need since "what the heck, we've got all this room now"

I have Need More horses-itis, it's a very expensive affliction and hard to cure.   My husband has the other two afflictions so we are in bad shape. 

Just out of curiosity I'm wondering how you arrived at the F150?

I've always liked Ford trucks and there seem to be the biggest selection of used Fords out there.  I'm looking for a '04-'05 under 17k and everything else seemed too expensive or not what I was looking for.  The gas milage isn't great, but all the trucks seem to be around 15-17 mpg.  Should I consider a different truck? Judging by the comments the F-150 won't be the best choice.  Thanks again.

Should you consider another truck?  To be honest, I haven't looked closely at the 2004 & 2005 models - My questions and comments were directly relating to what is new and available right now.  As of this model year Fords largest 1/2 ton V8 simply doesn't compare well to the some of the competition.  They have real high tow and load ratings (properly equipped), but I don't see how they translate all that well to real world driving, in other words, how could the least powerful V8 with a 4spd Automatic have a real world chance of succesfully towing 11,000 lbs? 

To me, the truth is that any of these contemporary designs can handle a 2H bumper pull without a problem, but I tend to get hung up on specs.  If you found a nice used 5.4 out there it would probably do just fine, and it sounds like other folks are using them without complaint.  In case I didn't post it before, http://www.trailerlife.com/ has a listing of tow ratings back to the 99 model year, that will really help you determine if a specific truck you're considering has the right set-up for you.

Good Luck!

I had an 01 F150 and it towed "ok." I now have an 07 Silverado and it seems to strain less with the load. All other things were equal, both were 1/2 ton, engine size same (5.3 vs 5.4) factory installed towing packages (though I don't believe my Ford had a transmission cooler).

I just feel that the Chevy seems to haul smoother and with less strain.

I don't do a lot of long-distance hauling, mostly less than 10 miles one way, occasionally 100 miles one way.  The 1/2 ton Chevy works for me. (And I was ALWAYS A Ford person!)

11 Years ago I bought a F150 super cab witht he 5.4 engine. I pulled a 3 horse steel BP trailer back then. Some of the 6-7% grades slowed me down a bit. The engine would run at higher RPMS as it climbed up them. That engine seemed to hunt gears more than my diesel. And when towing it did not get as good of mileage that my diesel do.

But it got better mileage unloaded. Was easier to park and use as a daily driver in town. It got the horses to the lcoal trails that I like to ride.

I never had any problems with the truck in the 3 years I owned it.

But like the others above, I was infected with the Itis and bought a 2000 F350 Diesel and 3 horse GN. Then a 2003 F350 and then a 2005 3 horse LQ  and then a 2006 F350 and now a 2007 4 horse LQ. Is there a cure?

I got a chuckle when I read your post - Well first off, what would the least powerful V8 have to do with tow capacity...? Seriously, quite a bit, especially when it's combined with a 4spd Automatic.  So in your opinion the power of the engine doesn't matter?? Naturally the more powerful V8 in the same truck is going to have a better tow rating and a better real world towing ability.  The 1/2 tons from the early 90's did quite well, and I commented that the current Fords would quite likely also do just fine with a 2H bumper pull - but I know the early 90's models don't have nearly the tow capacity that the current models offer. 

You also said that you'd be more concerned with "Drivetrain, suspension, and brakes" - me too, last time I checked the engine and tranny were a pretty significant part of the drivetrain.  Your other points are very valid - Chassis, suspension, Brakes all combine to make a decent tow vehicle. 

My main point is this - at the moment, Ford has lagged behind the competition in the 1/2 ton segement in some key areas - the 5.4 is one of them.  Chevy, Dodge, Nissan, and Toyota all offer higher horsepower, more torque, and with the exception of the Chevy - 5 or 6 spd trannys.  Chevy has a 6spd coming to market in their 1/2 ton very soon.

Well I have to disagree to some extent - I do understand what you're saying, and we actually agree about all the apsects together add up to a adequate towing vehicle, but engine power (HP & Torque) go a long way to establishing a vehicle as a solid towing rig. 

Regarding your 91 C2500 having "waaay" more towing capacity than the "300 hp 1/2 tons of today" ... I can't check your facts due to the age of the truck, but I seriously doubt that statement as well.  I was able to go back to 1999, and the C2500 and C3500 maxed out at 10,500 lbs tow rating (from the manufacturer) - there are more than a couple 1/2 tons that could "kick some sand" in the face of that tow rating, and the current 2500's go "waaay" beyond it.  I really doubt that the 1991 model has a lot higher rating than a model 8 years newer. 

Anyway, this is fun, but we're veering off the course of the thread.  The fellow was asking about F150's  - hopefully he's found a nice one by now.

Edit - Actually I did find the 1991 Specs -

I do understand that hp and torque are a considerable part of a "complete" towing vehicle.  But, at the same time, I think by today's standards, even the least powerful V8 will be sufficient for the remainder of any 1/2 ton pickup out there.

As for the '91, I seem to remember something around 10,000 lbs.  Maybe I am "waaay" off, though.  GVW is the same as a '99 model; I am sure of that.

Anyway, yes, we are "waaay" off topic.  Ha ha.