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Old 08-24-2017, 10:04 AM   #1
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Ford 150 towing a 21

We have a 2014 Ford 150 V8 Supercab %.0L 4V DOHC V8 and Flex Fuel capability delivers 360 hp and 380 lb-ft of torque.
F-150 ( option 535 ) - 7 wire harness & 4/7 pin Connector, hitch receiver. Auto Trans Oil Cooler, radiator upgrade & standard trailer sway control.
It sounds like we have sway control but do we need a weight distribution hitch. judy
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Old 08-24-2017, 10:27 AM   #2
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Ford F150's require a WDH anytime the trailer weight exceeds 5000 lbs or the tongue weight exceeds 500 lbs.
The factory supplied receiver hitch is only rated for 500 Lbs unless a WDH is used.
You will need to weigh your trailer and tongue when loaded to accurately determine their actual weight.
A WDH for many improve their towing experience and help level the tow vehicle
We use a WDH with our Ram 1500 which has similar weight ratings
Our tongue weight is 430 lbs when loaded for travel
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Old 08-24-2017, 10:45 AM   #3
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We also have an F150 (2012, crew cab with 3.5L V6 ecoboost) towing a 21'. I have never taken the time to measure my tongue weight so my advice is unscientific and should be taken with a "grain of salt". We ordered the 21' with the fastway WDH and use it on long road trips. On shorter trips to local camping spots, I don't bother with the WDH. I experience little more "porpoising" w/o the WDH but the rear of the pickup doesn't sag noticeably. Glad I have the WDH for longer trips as it smooths out the ride.
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Old 08-24-2017, 09:26 PM   #4
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2016 f-150

Here's our 2016 F-150 hitched to our 2017 21' (the truck's front tires are on a bit of a ridge). We have never used or felt the need for a WDH - yet, anyway. Our F-150 also has the 7,000# payload package. Not sure how much difference that makes, but when we hitch up, it drops the rear wheel well about 1" and raises he front wheel well about 1/2". I guess a WDH would help reverse that, but the truck has a bit of a natural rake, so the weight on the hitch actually helps level the truck without raising our headlight beams too high.
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Old 08-25-2017, 04:17 PM   #5
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Quote:
Originally Posted by War Eagle View Post
Our F-150 also has the 7,000# payload package.
I think you mean the 7000 lb GVWR package, not payload, right? That would mean a max payload of around 2000 lbs.
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Old 08-25-2017, 04:46 PM   #6
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I think you mean the 7000 lb GVWR package, not payload, right? That would mean a max payload of around 2000 lbs.
My bad. Imprecise use of terminology on my part. It's what Ford calls their F-150 "Heavy-duty payload package" (includes "upgraded springs, tires, and wheels, as well as a heavier duty leaf suspension"). Ford says the package gives the F-150 XLT trim 7,850 GVWR, and when paired with our 5.0L V8, it takes the payload up to 3,300 lb. Those specs were from 2015 when it appears the package was offered only with the 8 ft bed. Not sure how much it changes with our 2016 5.5 ft bed and the camper shell on the back. I need to run it across some truck scales and see what my actual curb weight is.
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Old 08-25-2017, 07:19 PM   #7
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If your pulling a 21 with a V-8 Your a very smart Towing Dude or Dudet .
Anything else anemic at best ., Unless you live in Sask.confused:
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Old 08-25-2017, 07:34 PM   #8
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Beg to differ Mike. 325 hp and 375 ft lbs of torque is not anemic at all - and could tow a 21 with complete ease. And that's just a 2.7L V6.

And the 2017 3.5L V6 Ecoboost comes in at 375 hp and 475 ft lbs of torque. How in the heck is that anemic? It'll kick most V8's in the backside.
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Old 08-25-2017, 08:06 PM   #9
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Shortly after I got my new F-150, I was driving in rush hour traffic. I had to stick it to the accelerator to get out of the way of what looked like... I was going to be in a bad accident. Well, I almost wrecked my truck! Crud, that thing leapt forward and my head snapped back, the rear of the truck started to fish tail. Good thing I had a good hold of the steering wheel. My old 2000 Ford F-150 with the Triton V-8 could hardly get out of it's own way. I learned my lesson!
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Old 08-25-2017, 09:00 PM   #10
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Reace pulls their 5.0TA with a 3.5L V6 Ecoboost, and he loves it, especially being able to maintain highway speed while climbing long mountain grades hauling Tammy's horses to her next competition. Me, when on the road for hours at a time, I simply prefer the low, purring rumble of a large displacement engine over the high pitched whine of a spinning turbine. But that's just me. As long as it gets you safely where you want to go, that's what matters most....
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Old 08-25-2017, 09:00 PM   #11
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Devil Dog View Post
If your pulling a 21 with a V-8 Your a very smart Towing Dude or Dudet .
Anything else anemic at best ., Unless you live in Sask.confused:
:
Sask has rolling hills, try southern Manitoba.

Either of the ecoboost engines in the F150 have jam, especially the 2015+ retuned ecoboost 3.5s. I have a 2014 with a 3.7 non turbo, which is based off the same motor (as in the 3.5 without turbos as the engine was designed with direct injection and turbos in mind) When I had a rented 15 ecoboost while mine was in for a warranty claim, my mind was blown with how much pick up that engine had with 200#s in the box and 100#s in the cab I broke tires loose and that truck had like 3.31 gears or something tall.
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Old 08-25-2017, 11:24 PM   #12
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Originally Posted by rbryan4 View Post
And the 2017 3.5L V6 Ecoboost comes in at 375 hp and 475 ft lbs of torque. How in the heck is that anemic? It'll kick most V8's in the backside.
And that's more power and higher peak torque than my Ford F53's 6.8L V10... so yes, it's serious power.

I realize that my V10 is not towing an Escape, but it is a Ford, so don't shoot me!
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