Forum Discussion

1wayhighway's avatar
1wayhighway
Explorer
May 02, 2014

What are you towing with your F150

Lots of talk on the forum about 3/4 ton trucks but I was wondering what is your experience with your 1/2 ton ( or the one you used to have). What 1/2 ton do you have? what do you tow with it? What is/ was your experience?

I have the F150, 5.0, screw, with the 3.55 rear end. I tow a 28dsbh jayco white hawk. Only been on one trip through the hills of Tn and the truck towed the trailer well although you know your pulling something. Trailer loaded is around 6800 lbs and the towing rating of the truck 7500 lbs.

I pulled a pop up for years and that was almost not like towing anything.

Just curious, thought it might be a good discussion.

27 Replies



  • 2013 CC 4x4 3.55 off road Ecoboost, pulling 2007 Aerolite 718FD, about 4000lbs loaded.
  • 2010 F150 SCrew 4X4 5.4L 3.73 - Towing a 28' TT @ 7,400 loaded.

    I know it is there. I normally drive with a bit of a heavy foot, so it is a bit of a change when I am towing. Been through the mountains with it, not great, not bad enough to go to a 250/350.

    I was planning on getting a 2015 with EcoBoost. My son starts driving next year, so I am now thinking of keeping this truck as a second vehicle that he uses. I would still have it to tow with. I would then get a nice smaller car again, thinking of a Fusion.
  • With a 2014 F150, super cab, long bed, 4x4, with the Ecoboost engine and, heavy duty tow package and heavy duty payload package, I haul a 20 foot, 4400 lb Airstream (plus a truck cap and bed full of supplies) like it wasn't there. I could haul more but I wouldn't haul much more, especially in hill country. The truck could handle perhaps two thousand pounds plus more weight but, staying below specs makes a huge difference in performance and wear and tear.

    Unhitched, I can get close to the Ford 21 mpg mileage claim. Towing, I drop to 14-15 and with hills it can drop to 12-13. I just put a longer ball mount on it ( NOT a hitch extension ) and rotated the jack head so that I could drop my tailgate. It added a very slight tugging to it on rougher roads. I really don't NEED a weight distribution hitch or sway control. It rides level and the truck has sway control built in that works very well but, I may add it anyway to smooth out the rougher roads and give me a greater margin of error in a panic or emergency situation.
  • Ecoboost with Max Tow (3.73 axle) towing a Pioneer Spirit 18CK with loaded weight of 5600lb. Don't really feel the trailer back there and mountain passes are no challenge. No plans for a bigger trailer but sure enjoy the trip with more truck than I probably need.
    Howie
  • mosseater wrote:
    You're gonna get a lot of responses on this one. Folks love to say what they're dragging. Even though they say I'm cheating, I'll throw in. Mine has the HD payload package so is more like a light 3/4 ton. My trailer is 34' and maxes out around 8000 lb. ready to camp. GCW runs a little over the rating of 15,300, like around 15,500 =/-. Tongue runs around 1100 lbs.


    You better get a 1 ton dually :B
  • You're gonna get a lot of responses on this one. Folks love to say what they're dragging. Even though they say I'm cheating, I'll throw in. Mine has the HD payload package so is more like a light 3/4 ton. My trailer is 34' and maxes out around 8000 lb. ready to camp. GCW runs a little over the rating of 15,300, like around 15,500 =/-. Tongue runs around 1100 lbs.