I have a 2008 F150 STX 4X4, And i need to pull a 2011 26' travel trailer that weighs 6500lbs. Can my truck pull that load? What do you think.

 

We need more info.

Gearing in the rear end?
Is that trailer weight wet or dry?
Does the truck have the towing package and brake control?
Is the truck lifted with larger tires or stock?
Cab and bed configuration?
Which engine 4.6 or 5.4?

 

4.6 L, Stock Tires, Gear 3.55 and weight is dry I guess. Thats the weight of the camper not stocked. We have a sway bar and brake controls.

 

What is the cab and bed configuration of the truck because it does makes a difference? If the trailer is 6500 expect it to weigh in some where around 8000 ready to camp.

 

The bed is long wheel base and Im not sure Im following you. Everything is already in the camper and We only have 2 adults and one child. Just three bags for clothes and a fride with groceries. The propane tanks are full and we will haul it empty of all water. BTW..I am a women so excuse me if I dont understand some of what you are asking.

 

No problem, if everything is in the camper and you haul it with the tanks empty and it weighs in at 6500 you will be ok. What I was asking on the bed and cab configuration was is it an extended cab or crew cab and is it a 8ft, 6.5 ft, or a 5.5ft bed because it makes a difference in the towing capacity of the truck.

 

You'll be fine. Just dont expect to race to your destination with the smaller motor. While it will work harder you want hurt anything and use good judgement with stopping and enjoy.

 

Its a ext cab or supercab as its called. And I think we will be fine too. Thank you so much for your help with this. Also, is there anything I can add to our truck that may give it a little more towing power.

 

Thanks Michael.

 

You could regear the truck taking it from 3.55 to 4.10 would probably be the best bang for your buck compared to a tuner, cold air intake, and exhaust.

 

Thanks, I will look into it and get some pricing on something like that.

 

I'm afraid that you are going to be over limits. I just looked up the tow ratings - a 2008 F-150 4x4 Supercab with a 4.6 and 3.55 gears is rated for 6100# with a 5.5' bed and 6200# with a 6.5' bed. There is NO LEGAL WAY to increase the ratings.

You need a smaller trailer or a bigger truck, sorry.

 

Another thing to consider is where u will be towing. Even though u are close to your max if u are towing on mainly flat roads as compared to mainly in the mountains u may be okay. If u live in the northwest with lots of mountain passes there will be a huge difference than towing in Nebraska per say, just for comparison purposes.

 

you should be fine. my truck is the same as yours and i pull excavating machines around the same weight with ease. the only thing is it doesn't like going up steep hills but does surprisingly well otherwise. i also have a gryphon with a custom tow tune which helps some.

 

Kinda moot now if you already have the trailer?

#6500 'dry' weight means almost nothing. More than likely, it weighs around #7000 as it sits right now. What's it's GVWR? That is, how much can it weigh fully loaded.. Not that you'll reach that, but it gives a better idea of the range the trailer weights as a whole.

You'd be surprised how much weight adds up with just a couple of people.

Everyone says "I won't travel with any water".. Well, if filling up the water tank puts you over your trucks limits, then what's the point?

Anyway, sure your truck will move it down the road. How comfortable you feel about how it does this is anyone's guess.. Towing performance is very speculative and depends on the person doing the driving..

If you have never towed anything before, then you won't have anything to compare it to. If you have towed small utility trailers before, then at least you've towed something before..

Don't be afraid to rev that lil' 4.6, as it's gonna need rpms to get into it's power band. It won't hurt it, but you may not like the noise or the mpg's... Figure on 10 mpg on a good day and as bad as 6 mpg if you have any hills to deal with.

Hope it all works out!

Mitch