You all know I have a 06 SC F150 with tow package, and 18 inch wheels.
I will be selling my 6x12 enclosed trailer,

http://mysite.verizon.net/cehowardrc51/hd29.jpg

And will be replacing it with this 7x14 enclosed trailer.

http://mysite.verizon.net/cehowardrc51/vnose1.jpg
http://mysite.verizon.net/cehowardrc51/vnose2.jpg

However, one of my motorycle buddies, and he is my buddy, and supposed to be truck freak too, tells me I need to upgrade my truck?? WTF..

He drives a F350 Super Crew with a Turbo Deisel. I know his truck is about 6 times more powerful then mine, but do I need suspension work to pull a 7x14 trailer? The 7x14 weighs about 2200 lbs. At some point and time it will be carrying 4 bikes. 4 bikes at 500 lb each comes to 2000.. Pushing me up to 4400 lbs. Add gear and maybe a passenger, I am up to 5000 lbs, max!!

All I have is the tow package on my 06 SuperCab XLT 5.4, I have the 18 inch chrome wheels too. I am glad I didn't lower this truck or went to 22 inch wheels, I think those would have lowered my towing load.

 

Nope, I wouldn't worry about it.

 

suspension is fine


make sure you have a tranny cooler and there should be no problems

 

perfectly fine with that combo. with the tow package you will have the trans cooler.

 

just don't put everything in the front of the trailer..

even out the weight so there's not much on the tounge....

...zap!

 

You'll be more than fine for pulling. A diesel would be a little much for that light of a load. I rarely use the words "over kill"... but.... that would definatly be over kill.
Hopefully the trailer has brakes, if not and you have factory brakes then they will stop it for a while. But you will burn out your trucks factory brakes soon. When/if you do, upgrade at that time, standard aftermarket pads on standard rotors will burn out and glaze over even faster.

 

Thanks for all the feedback.

Trailer has brakes on it too. Also, will be looking at brake upgrades the F150too. Shucks, after all the positive feedback on my setup with this larger 7x14 trailer, what kind of shape I be in if I sneak some 22 inch wheels on my truck?

Would I still be in good shape?

The reason I ask, is because time/age is closing down on me big time, I am giving myself every little joy I can think of..

Slick 22 inches would be cool.

 

You could get the new wheels and be ok, or you might need to make a few changes. I would try to keep the weight of the new wheel and tire combo down. If you do your homework you could find wheels and tires that don't weigh much more than a stock combo. Also, if you get a taller tire you will lower your effective gear ratio. I would try to stay close to a stock ratio and then adjust your trailer weights accordingly. Another possibility is to change the gears in the axle to gain back the lost power.

Joe

 

Make sure the new wheels and tires have a weight rating that is equal/greater than the stock wheels and tires. And make sure you get a brake controller for the new trailer!!!!

 

Fo sure!
Nothing like scrathing up a nice set of rims on teh pavement because the side walls of the tires rolled in the corners while towing. Scratched Bling just looks trashy, that's worse than running stock rims.

 

I have a modified suspension on my '05 F-150, but it was more detrimental to towing than beneficial. I just hauled a 7X16 Cargo trailer, packed to the rim, 3320 miles to Alaska with no problems. I have the trailer towing package (which includes a tranny fluid cooler), but added the Roush suspension which replaced the rear leaf springs with weaker springs, lowering the rear 3". My total truck and trailer weight was 12,500 pounds, which would of put the trailer loaded down around 6500-7000 pounds.

You will be more than fine with the stock suspension for towing that size trailer with bikes in it. I've pulled the trailer around with my 22" wheels and tires, but for the long haul I put the stock rims and tires back on. We hit some pretty rough roads with frost heaves in northern Canada and Alaska, which is why I wanted the thicker sidewall for the trip. If I had been driving around the lower 48 states, I would leave the 22's on.