I have a 2004 F-150 Super Crew 4X4

5.4L engine
3.73 gears
18" wheels

According to the Ford towing guide the ratings for my truck are
GCWR - 14,500 lbs
Trailer Capacity 8,700

I currently tow a 21 foot expandable trailer which when fully loaded weighs 4,000 lbs. The truck performs okay with this load.

We are now thinking of upgrading to a larger trailer. The one we are interested in has a dry weight 5,000 lbs. To that I would add 500 lbs for options and another 1,000 lbs for gear giving me a realistic trailer weight of 6,500 lbs.

I am concerned that this is going to be too much trailer for my truck. I am interested in what others think and maybe some real life experience of what my type of truck can safely tow.

 

You are still fine. You will need a weight distribution hitch and properly working trailer brakes.

 

WD hitch if you don't already have one is about all you should need for the upgrade. Expect another 1-2mpg loss, but otherwise you'll be fine.

 

No one has mentioned a tranny cooler...do you have one? If not, get one

 

You will definitely feel the trailer, 8700# is stretching - OK on the flat, but avoid any real hills. You will probably be at about the realistic, comfortable limit of the truck.

 

Wow, I have a similar story but I have a 2005 truck! We had a Travelstar 21SSO with a max weight of #5000, probably down the road at 4300-4500. Sometimes it felt like there was nothing even there. We just upgraded the trailer to a 25rss from Outback, dry it is #5200, down the road around #6100-6200. We just got back from a 350mile trip and it towed very well. I averaged 10.8mpg towing. I was comfortably doing 65-68 and had not trouble at all. I could tell it was there but the truck never felt "underpowered" for the trailer. The max for my truck according to the tow guide is #9000, with that said I would probably not tow anything longer than 27ft or heavier than #7000 with this truck.

I am also using a Reese Strait-line hitch, with the HP Dual Cam sway control and WD system.

 

I have the truck in my sig. I tow a 31' Trail Bay that weighs 8500#. It is 33'-11" from tip to tail. Flat land is great... 65 MPH ,OD, off no issues. Mountians... pulled a 6%grade for 9 miles. 25 MPH, 1st gear. Truck pulled no problems. It will work, don't get me wrong. If you're towing in the mountains get a diesel. I have seen superduty's have a hard time on that grade. I love the way the F-150 tows. There are pics of the trailer in my gallery. As mentioned, Trans cooler is a must along with a good WD hitch and sway control, along with a brake control. I use an Equal-i-zer brand hitch and a Prodigy brake controller. This year I have towed 2500 miles to date. We have several trips planned totaling another 2000 miles.

 

I tow a KZ Frontier 2505. Down the road loaded to the gills at about 6500 lbs or so. It is a good match. I do use a WD hitch and also have double sway on it (a remnant of towing with my Sequoia).

Never an issue.

All of my friends have similar trailers and tow with diesels. Never have an issue keeping up and I get about 11mpg.

Plus when we get home......mine fits in the garage!