I'm looking at a Ford F-150 Lariat with the tow package, added suspension, and a weight distributing hitch. We are wanting to pull an ultra light trailer, <3500 pounds. I know we will be fine with the weight of the trailer and the tongue weight (truck is rated 11k to tow and 1000 on the tongue). How do you like your set up? Do you do a lot of long distance travel? We will be close by 2x a month with it an 2-3 big trips a year. It'll be me, my husband, and my daughter so we don't have tons of people and stuff to haul.Also a diesel is not an option for us at this time. The truck will be my every day drive as well, and I will not drive a diesel truck on the regular. Thanks in advance :)

Towing a trailer of that weight should be no problem at all for your 150. Enjoy the drive!Your ride should not be any different than going to work every day ... just longer.

I tow a 3800 pound (dry weight) trailer with an F-150 (5.4 litre) with tow package and WD hitch. We go for two months at a time so I usually have the trailer and truck fully loaded (fire wood, food, extra water, misc gear etc). I hardly know it is behind me except for the odd real steep grade through the mountains on the way to Vancouver Island.

I tow #3500 with my Dodge 1500 with no problems....I hardly tell it is back there. We're not going to win races and most people pass us, but it tows like a dream. We have a Blue-Ox WDH and anti-sway setup, too. Our trips are mostly weekend outings, usually less than 250 miles each way.

I just got back from a road trip to Death Valley, Joshua Tree, and Anza Borrego. I regularly pull my trailer into the Sawtooths. My F150 handles it all really well.

You could tow 2 trailers that size. :)

People who pull with a 1/2 ton | Good Sam Community

tfm
Explorer
May 03, 2017
I have a: 2013 F150, 5.0 engine, 6 speed auto, tow package. All else is standard. I tow a 31' (bumper to hitch), 5712 dry weight. I use a WD hitch w/2 stabilizer bars. The only problem I have found is the "P" rated tires have a soft sidewall. This causes additional sway that you wouldn't have with "LT" tires. I can't justify changing out good tires.
RPreeb
Explorer
Apr 25, 2017
GoHorns wrote:
I pulled up this thread just to read the "bigger truck" recommendations.... I got a good chuckle as a bonus....

;-)

:B It certainly can get entertaining, can't it? I've towed a couple of times now and don't even have a WDH. No white knuckles or anything.... amazing, isn't it?

I've ordered a Husky Centerline TS and should have it installed before our planned trip in May. It's more for peace of mind, than for any perceived necessity. My F-150 pulls the 5000 lb TT in a very civilized manner as it is. If using the WDH results in an even better towing experience, then so much the better.
GoHorns
Explorer
Apr 25, 2017
I pulled up this thread just to read the "bigger truck" recommendations.... I got a good chuckle as a bonus....

;-)
falconbrother
Explorer II
Apr 24, 2017
I'm towing with a 1500 Suburban 4x4, 5.3 V8. Trailer is 27 feet, 5500 dry weight, add 1000 for the accoutrements. Suspension on burb has Sumo SuperSprings. As to brakes and suspension, no problems at all. The 5.3 does fine on flat ground. It works on climbs. No real complaints though. The F150 will have zero issues with 3500 pounds of trailer. Our very first tow vehicle was an F150 (for the first travel trailer) and it did awesome.
vermilye
Explorer
Apr 24, 2017
While I'm sure you will find those that insist on at least a 3/4 ton, I somehow managed to tow a trailer weighing 3010 & 345 lb tongue with a 2010 V6 & Tow Package RAV4 Sport rated at 3500/350, 70,000 miles, including the east & west mountains, a trip to Alaska, etc.

While I now tow with a 2016 Tacoma, and have to admit it is a better tow vehicle, the RAV4 was never felt unsafe, never had sway problems, and only joined the semis in the right lane on major passes in the west.
JCR-1
Explorer
Apr 18, 2017
Not too sure about the FORDS but I use a Chevy Avalanche (5.3) and it can struggle going over the Rockies and also brake rotors take a beating. I would go up in size if I were you. Depends on how much camping you do but a larger engine would be better in the long run and fuel economy will be about the same .
Cobra21
Explorer
Apr 18, 2017
I towed a 3,000 pound trailer with 2 different 1/2 tons. The only issue I had
was this seemed to warp the brake rotors after some time. I don't ride the brakes, but 3/4 ton trucks do have more robust brakes.
CavemanCharlie
Explorer III
Apr 18, 2017
bobndot wrote:
You could tow 2 trailers that size. :)

Yup
Huntindog
Explorer
Apr 18, 2017
DutchmenSport wrote:
TNRIVERSIDE wrote:
downtheroad wrote:
Completely disregard all of the previous advice. Pulling a 3500 lb. trailer with a half ton pickup will endanger you, your family and everyone else on the road.

You need a 1 ton dually (preferably a GMC). Also consider a Hensley or ProPride hitch.
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.:)

It's the ;) that gave it away.

Do you have ANY idea how tempted I was to say that? But I was nice and addressed the question from my head, not my passion!

So, since this was brought up ... you know you just can't beat a .... :B
:B:B:B:B:B:B:B:B:B:B:B:B:B:B:B:B:B:B:B:B:B:BI got a ton of smileys pasted on my TV... Enough to raise it's capacity by a 1000# easy.:B:B:B:B:B:B:B:B:B:B:B:B:B:B:B:B:B:B:B:B:B:B:B:B:B:B:B:B:B:B:B:B:B:B:B:B:B:B:B:B:B:B:B:B:B:B:B:B:B:B:B:B:B:B:B:B:B:B:B:B:B:B:B:B:B:B:B:B:B:B:B:B:B:B:B:B:B:B:B:B:B:B:B:B:B:B:B:B:B:B:B:B:B:B:B:B:B:B:B:B:B:B:B:B:B:B:B:B:B:B:B:B:B:B:B:B:B:B:B:B:B:B:B:B:B:B:B:B:B:B:B:B:B:B:B:B:B:B:B:B:B:B:B:B:B:B:B:B:B:B:B:B:B:B:B:B:B:B:B:B:B:B:B:B:B:B:B:B:B:B:B:B:B:B:B:B:B:B:B:B:B:B:B:B:B:B:B:B
Lwiddis
Explorer II
Apr 17, 2017
My TT is 5k wet and the Tahoe pulls it just fine. Payload for TV is 1,595. 1/2 ton is fine within the limits.