I own a 2002 4.2 F-150 XL Flareside Automatic. There was already a trailer hitch on it when I bought it. I will be moving from San Diego to New Orleans in a few weeks and will be using a U Hual Sport Trailer. It only weighs 535lb empty and will probably only have 300lbs max in it. There are a few mountains just outside of San Diego that I will have to drive through, but they're not much. Anyone see any issues with this? Thanks.

 

You should not have any issues pulling a 835lb load. However your gas mileage will suffer and you won't be flying up those mountains, but you would have the same issue with no load.

 

NO Problems what so ever

 

Shoot! That ain't a load. You'll do fine and may not even notice much of a mileage drop if you keep the speed down. The only thing I can think of is the grade going out of San Diego through the Alpine area. Then, if I remember right, there's some grade around Yuma Arizona. Once you get on the 10 it should be pretty good but, again, memory may be suspect, there may be some grade around Wilcox and then pretty good to Las Cruses, the farthest east I've been on the 10.

I've hauled several loads from SoCal to ND with full loads on the pickup and a full load on a trailer albeit with a 4.6. Yeah, I lost mileage, particularly the last haul, but still got decent mileage.

 

Yea, you'll probably forget the trailer is even back there. My biggest concern would be making sure you don't drag that little trailer too fast. I think U-Haul states their max speed is 55 mph. I definitely wouldn't go over 70 or so.

FWIW, I towed the largest U-Haul trailer, packed to the gills, a few years ago. It towed well and was no problem at all, however, my trip was mostly all flat terrain. Good luck.

 

I wouldn't go over 65. The little tires and axle can't handle it. Ask me how I know.