I will be towing a mid size Uhaul from Alaska to Texas to Kentucky. I have an 05 F150 Supercrew Cab 4X4 with a 5.4 V8. I will also have the bed full. Weight wise I will have just furniture and things of that nature in there. I was wondering what will be the best type of hitch and hitch reciever for a long trip like that. I open to suggestions on brands too.

Is the ford dealership the best place to go to get a factory tow/haul package installed or would it be better to go to a shop and get it done? Anyone know good prices?

Thanks
David

 

I just towed a 6'x12' enclosed Uhaul within Texas just last week. I've got an 02 F150 Supercrew FX4 w/ 4.6L baby V8. If I were you, I'd get a regular Class 3 hitch like most 1/2 ton trucks have. The nice thing about the factory towing package is it comes with all the wiring and tranny and power steering coolers. The transmission cooler is probably the most important part of the towing package besides the actual hitch itself! I'd see where you could get all stuff from the factory tow package if I were you. But weight wise, your truck will have NO problem, and will certainly tow better than my truck. Also, since you're towing such a long distance, I'd try to get a brake controller so you can save your truck's brakes. Good luck. As far a price, you could probably expect around $1000 maybe more.

 

Thanks for the advice you really helped me out. I really didnt know there was that much of a diffrence with the tow package. I think Ill wait on it since Im not doing the move for another 6 months and save up a little on it.

Thanks
David

 

best bet is to go to Uhaul or similar place. They can install the tow hitch, brake controller and tranny cooler no problem. $1000 should leave a little let on the table for you to buy lunch ;-)

I would shop around a little bit to make sure you are not getting ripped off by the first place you call.

 

Thanks for the advice. Ill have my wife call around. I hate saying that. Just not a lot I can do being in Iraq. LOL

Thanks
David

 

That price better include the reach around...
A Class 3 hitch for an F-150 is maybe $200, if that. My class IV from the dealer was $200. Install it yourself! It's 4 bolts. Takes 20 minutes. I did it by myself. A Prodigy Tekonosha brake controller is $100 off ebay. Install it yourself! Hook up 4 wires, plug it in, mount it, and you're good to go. A tranny cooler from a transmission shop shouldn't be more than $200.

And if you're towing a Uhaul trailer, you DO NOT need a brake controller. Their trailers use hydraulic surge brakes.

 

Thanks for the advice. I will definately look into it.

 

i actually just got a hitch installed by u-haul today , cost me 150 bucks installed and they for some reason had to drill all of the holes. but i already had the wiring. was way easier to fork out 20 bucks more than when i "saved" money by installing one myself last year.