Ford F150 to tow 2-H trailer?

[tpup]

I will be getting a used 2-H trailer in the next few months an I have begun looking at pickup trucks. I test-drove a Ford F150 Lariat - I need the 4 doors, and I would get the larger engine, towing/safety package, etc. - tow capacity is at least over 9000 lbs. and I would tow one horse mostly, and sometimes 2 horses (1100 lbs. each). I am still researching trailers. The gas mileage of this truck is similar to my minivan that I am selling, and this truck will be my "family" vehicle also which I am completely fine with. The 2nd row had much more leg room than my van!

Does anyone tow with a Ford F150? Towing would be short drives - 20-30 mins. at the most to trail ride, events, etc. I ordered the book someone linked to a while back...the Guide to Buying a Trailer book. I know a F250 would be better but it's not in my budget and I see plenty of F150's, Silverado's and Rams pulling basic 2-H trailers, so I'd love some opinions. Thx!

[caryledee]

Since 1995 I have towed with a Chevy K1500 and it has done just fine. I've gone on some pretty long trips with it (8-9 hours) and felt I had enough truck to do the job. I did use my friend's F150 on a long trip once; probably 350 miles each way with one horse in the trailer. I felt I had plenty of power for stopping and getting up the hills. I have a very lightweight 2 horse trailer though; it might make a difference if you have a heavier trailer. I also always use the weight distribution bars when I tow.
For the shorter distance trips you are describing, I think the F150 would do the job.

[Mallard]

I've been towing my stock trailer with an F150 4WD for several years.
I have had two horses in it on occasion and never had problems.

We had an '89 and now we have a '98.
We need 4WD....hubby takes his ATV off-roading and it does come in mighty handy on the snowy, blowy nights on dark country roads!

As long as you get a big enough engine, tow package, etc you will be fine towing a regular 2-horse.

The problem these days is finding just a 'plain old regular truck'.....
We do not need or want 4 doors or the club/crew cab.
And we want and need a full size box. The short boxes are no good for our needs.

[sidepasser]

Should be ok - just make sure the tongue weight is adequate.

[joiedevie99]

I'm thinking about the same truck. I planned on a 250, but I live near many parkways that don't allow commercial vehicles, and I would have to register a 250 commercial.

The new maxed out F150 claims to have better towing capacity (over 9000 lbs.) than most other manufacturers low and mid level 250s. The only thing I'm planning is an all aluminum or aluminum with a steel frame as opposed to a steel trailer.

[May the FORCE bwu]

I have an F-150 2005 Model and pull a basic 2 horse trailer and 2 big (17 hand warmbloods) just fine - LOVE IT!!! and it is pretty good on gas as well........I live here in NJ and it handles our "mountains" and highways just fine......

[Bluey]

I have an 1990 and a 2007 F150, 4x4 and both have pulled the gooseneck 16' stocktrailer with four horses fine for as long as I have had them.

Just be sure you have the trailer pulling package, so you don't overheat on steep hills.

[Duramax]

We have a '99 F-150 with the V-8 engine. It gets better gas mileage around town than the V-10 but does not have the power to be really fun to tow with. I get spoiled when I borrow one of my boarder's F-250 diesels or my in-laws Chevy 3500 Duramax. Invest in a good brake box- before I got our Tekonsha Prodigy I was always feeling like I was being pushed if I didn't have tons of room to plan for a stop. (NOT a good feeling!)

[TrotTrotPumpkn]

I'm a glutton for punishment for admitting this on here, but in a pinch I've towed one 1100lb horse to the vet's and back (interstate) with a Featherlite Two Horse w/tack room with a late model Chevy Tahoe (not the XL). It has anti-sway and a trailer brake, but otherwise that's it.

God, last time I used the Chevy 2500 the break converter in the cab went out and I was just using the truck's breaks--WAY worse than the Tahoe experience...yuck, yuck, yuck (this was pulling a steel bumper pull with one horse).

An F-150 with the tow package would be a big step up. I'm a huge fan of the sway bar on a bumper pull though...

[lily04]

I'm on my second F-150 and love them. First one was a '96, put over 200,000 and got $5,000 for it in '03 and bought another one which is now approaching the 200,000 mile mark. I pull a 2+1 gooseneck about 500 miles a week with it and have never had anything other than normal wear and tear problems.

[armandh]

and that can be said of even heavier trucks so I'll just say....
it is WAY better than a long list of lighter, less capable, less safe, etc
I towed for 5 years with a Expedition and at the end of the lease bought a 3/4 ton.

YMMV

[islgrl]

I have the 150 with the tow package and four dours. It pulls two horses just fine. I mostly pull on short hauls and don't live in the mountains. I am very happy with it.