Total Noobs here with My new tow rig

[Undercover_Poe]

We are total noobs here. We have gone camping exactly one time. The first time we used the ford explorer and although it did it, it didn't do it well in the hills of north west Connecticut. So I am happy to report that we can now tow 7,100 lbs in our new used 03
Ford 150 crew cab with 3.73 gears!!

First thing I did was to put satellite radio in since this truck came with a brake
Controller.
I think my new used truck has the same engine (as designated by the "L" in the vin) as my Ski boat. Ford windsor power plant How about that?

[93Cobra2771]

FYI, your engine in the truck isn't a windsor. It is either a 4.6L or a 5.4L SOHC "modular" engine. Your badge on the fender will likely say "4.6 Triton" or "5.4 Triton".

Congrats on the new tow rig.

[APT]

That looks like a well maintained truck! I had a 2003 Supercrew that I loved. It treated us so well for 8 years. I towed in 3rd (overdrive off).

[westend]

Congrats!
A few things I would be considering: Look at the weight rating sticker (payload capacity) and see what you have. My '03 Ford CC 4x4 F-250 is unusually low for a Superduty. I'd bet your F 150 is lowish, too.
It would be nice to have similar engines between boat and truck but you're out of luck there. You probably have the modular 5.4 V8 in the truck. They are totally different.

Th good news is that the truck receiver should handle the weight and WDH better than the Explorer. From the picture, it looks like the Explorer receiver has bent about an inch upwards. Maybe it's just the picture.

Good luck on your towing experience.

BTW, if you want better sound in the truck, ditch the oval OEM speakers and get a better aftermarket set. Mine didn't go but 60 miles before they were pulled.

[Undercover_Poe]

Vintage465 wrote:
So, it sounds like you're all set now? You have a weight distributing hitch? Sway control? She sets down nice and level on your truck and when tractor trailer rigs pass you remain intact and on track?

. I have the WD hitch which is trunion style Kurt w/ 8000lbs rating left over from the explorer set up. I took a measure of the f150's trailer hitch and it's approx 2.5" higher than the explorers hitch so I ordered a 9.75" Kurt drop down to lower the head a bit. Below is my WD set up that I plan on using on my f150.

[Vintage465]

So, it sounds like you're all set now? You have a weight distributing hitch? Sway control? She sets down nice and level on your truck and when tractor trailer rigs pass you remain intact and on track?