2010 F150 Towing question

[John Spuke]

Hello co-owners. I have a 2010 F-150 XLT SuperCab, Styleside 6-1/2' Box, 4X4, 5.4L 3V EFI V8 FFV Engine, Electronic 6-Speed Automatic Transmission with Towing package and 3.73 Limited Slip Axles. I have just come into a 26 foot enclosed cargo trailer with duel 5300 axles and electric brakes. It is not a v-nose, just a regular enclosed cargo trailer with the side door and ramp. Empty it weighs 5200 lbs and I would use it to tow two motorcycles which combined weigh 1100 lbs, so I am up to 6300 in the trailer, plus any other stuff I might add, so lets say around 8000 total lbs if the world was ending. I will not be towing it daily, weekly or probably even monthly, more like a few times a year to a rally in Daytona or Sturgis or where ever. I have read several other posts and forums about people in similar situations, yet all the replies ended up saying "Get a Diesel" or "Get a Chevy 2500". Well those are not options, my option is listed above, so...... What recommendations do you have on this forum as far as things I can do when towing the trailer, or accessories I might look into, etc? Any info or past experience from anyone with an F150 towing a trailer like this would be great. Even if the info says do not do it I will die. Then I will sell it to someone who can tow it safely. Or conversely, anyone who has done so and not had a large issue due to the stronger newer year models F150s. This might make me feel better as well and not visualize my truck exploding into flames as I fly off a cliff or something horrible. Thanks.

[canadian_screw]

With the 5.4 and 3.73 gears, you should be fine. Check the owners manual for your maximum towing and loading weights

[John Spuke]

Originally Posted by canadian_screw

With the 5.4 and 3.73 gears, you should be fine. Check the owners manual for your maximum towing and loading weights

In the 2010 Ford towing guide, it states my setup can tow 11,200. But I have already done all the numbers games research and know that is not feasible, nor would I want to even try that. That is just marketing.

I just want to ensure I will not be a safety hazard on the road while not destroying my awesome baby. I also forgot to mention that I currently reside in the south and will be doing my first tow to Virginia up 95 north (900 miles or so). From there, it will be cross country to Monterey California or Seattle Washington (Active duty Military).

[glc]

The 2010 is strong enough to handle an 8000# trailer. You may go over one or more of your load ratings though. Get a good weight distribution hitch and brake controller (if you don't have a factory controller) and just be mindful of how you load it and the truck. You will go over GVWR and rear GAWR if you load up the truck with too much stuff and/or have too heavy a tongue weight. Do you know how to do the math, and do you know if you have any local truck scales?

[bankrpt]

I'd get a nice equalizer hitch and swap bar for sure, I have a 26 foot enclosed that I haul my show truck in but I use a dually I use a shocker hitch with dual sway bars I love it check it out www.shockerhitch.com well worth the money. They can also build the hitch to use equalizer bars.

[glc]

My comment is in your other thread. You don't need to crosspost.

[John Spuke]

Originally Posted by glc

My comment is in your other thread. You don't need to crosspost.

Me = Newbie.

[John Spuke]

Originally Posted by glc

The 2010 is strong enough to handle an 8000# trailer. You may go over one or more of your load ratings though. Get a good weight distribution hitch and brake controller (if you don't have a factory controller) and just be mindful of how you load it and the truck. You will go over GVWR and rear GAWR if you load up the truck with too much stuff and/or have too heavy a tongue weight. Do you know how to do the math, and do you know if you have any local truck scales?

Yes, I have read in several awesome posts how to do the math, I did not get the max tow package, so I DO NOT have a brake controller, and I have a scale about 5 miles away from me on I-10.

Sidenote- it is just me, single, no kids, pets, etc...just the truck, some clothes and pots and pans and guns and two bikes.

Thanks again.

[2010 Platinum]

I just pulled a trailer with a chevy pickup and misc. on it that weighed roughly 9000lbs total with the trailer included. Towed it 500 miles and the truck handled it like a dream. Wouldn't hesitate to tow it again or for a longer trip. I was really amazed at what the 5.4 can do with the 6 speed transmission. I used to have an 06 sierra denali with the 345hp 6.0L and this new ford will outpull that thing any day of the week. Very impressed!

[glc]

I'd recommend a Tekonsha Prodigy brake controller with the Ford plug and play wiring adapter.

http://www.etrailer.com/Brake-Contro...eid=2010102659

Do you have a 7 way trailer connector already? It and the relays/fuses should have come with the truck, they may be in a bag in the glovebox.

I'd get one of these:

http://www.etrailer.com/dept-pg-Weig...y_Control.aspx

[glc]

Not a problem!

Thank you for your service, by the way. What branch? I'm retired Navy - aviation.

[Bluejay]

Two threads merged. One thread per subject please. Welcome to the site, hope you enjoy it and find it informative.

[John Spuke]

Yes, I do have the 7 way connector and the 4 way as well that came stock with the towing package. So I will invest in those items you listed above and make sure I have the beefiest setup I can get. Any other advice or warm fuzzies are still appreciated though.

[glc]

I responded to your visitor message - the only thing I might add is some means to monitor your transmission temperature.

[APT]

Why you do you want to buy a 5200 pound trailer with 10k GVWR to carry 1100 pounds of stuff? Why not a single axle 6x12 or so? GVWR 3500 pounds, way easier to pull, maneuver, store.