Car Hauler

[David Love AI27]

I have to go to Ohio to pick up a car and 24 foot enclosed trailer. Could it be done in a F150 (1/2 ton, of course)? I don't have time to finish repairing the Dodge so all I have available is the F150....

UNLESS someone has a few days offf next week and wants to drive up with me and haul back the ARCA car

[edrock96GT]

What year? Mine is an '05 FX4 and it will tow 7000lbs.

[marshall_mosty]

David,
I "think" the sheer weight of the unloaded trailer would almost 100% tax the towing capability of the truck, much less put car/supplies with that.

Also, if you are going to try doing that route, I would suggest using a weight distributing hitch, otherwise it would be downright scary.

Also, I hope you have a brake controller in the truck...


As a reference point, my old Explorer was rated to 7700 lbs, like Eddie's truck and it was marginal pulling my car/trailer and all my gear.

The new Tahoe is rated to something like 12K and doesn't even know the car's back there (except in gas mileage...).

[mitchntx]

Marginal. Get a big trans cooler installed.

If you alter your route more westerly, you miss a lot of those hills.

[michaelmosty]

I tow with my dads 1/2 ton Chevy w/ small v8 (4.8 I think). It does ok, I just take it easy with the throttle application and upshifts.
It would most likely tow like crap with an enclosed though.

[chris-CMC#35]

David -

A 24' enclosed, even with no car, is going to be too much for a 1/2 ton truck. Don't do it.

-chris

[Rob Liebbe]

David,

I can loan you a weight distributing hitch and even a trailer brake controller (it will plug in if the truck has towing package), but not until Thursday.

That F150 better have the 5.4 or it won't do it.

[David Love AI27]

The F150 is an 02 and has towed a 24 foot travel trailer to Alaska... they did use load levelers, sway bars and brake controler...

Jason totaled the Ram 2500, but I worked on it today and hope to finish tomorrow... forgot about the brake controler though, thanks for the advice...

[David Love AI27]

Marginal. Get a big trans cooler installed.

If you alter your route more westerly, you miss a lot of those hills.

Going through Kentucky to see my Grandbabies while I'm up there... no hills will stop me from seeing them....