Towing with Ford F-150

[John in Santa Cruz]

heh, my '02 F250 has the 158" wheelbase. not fun to parallel park in a tight space. its 248" bumper to bumper, I think. thats 3" short of 21 feet, same as my Escape. since I use a long towbar so my tailgate can clear the jack, my rig is probably over 42 feet long bumper to bumper.

(not hitched, but close)


a couple fire evacuees livin' like a refugee.... or is it glamping. wait. NEVER mind.

[HarleyD]

We too have the 6.5' bed.

[hlrosenberger]

I have watched videos on the Andersen Ultimate hitch. I also like how easy it is to install and remove, and its lite-weight!


Thanks

[JStelly]

I have a 2018 F150 3.5L Ecoboost with a crew cab and 5.5ft bed. My payload is 1440. I use the Anderson Ultimate hitch with turnover ball installed at Trademasters.

It’s a great combination towing, turning, etc. I love setting the adaptive cruise control and “almost” forgetting it’s back there.

[Vermilye]

I had to order my 2018 F 150 3.5 EcoBoost in order to get a super cab, tow mirrors, and 36 gallon tank. I looked at over 200 trucks on a couple of dealer lots, and evidently not a popular combination. 1826 pound payload. At the time they had 3 different tow packages - mine is the lowest, but plenty for the 21. Love the 10 speed - 1600 - 1700 RPM at 63MPH.

[sherminator]

I believe the 36 gallon tank comes only with the Max Tow package. The standard Tow Package does not get you the larger tank,, nor does it come in any other package.

[Dcboyd]

My 2018 3.5l F150 with max tow 5.5’ bed has a 36 gal fuel tank.
It is 4x4 with GCWR of 18400#.

[Vermilye]

Originally Posted by sherminator

I believe the 36 gallon tank comes only with the Max Tow package. The standard Tow Package does not get you the larger tank,, nor does it come in any other package.

in 2018 you could order the 36 gallon tank as an option with the standard tow package, although a ridiculous $445.00 option...

I was so sick of stopping ever 150 miles for fuel with the RAV4 & the Tacoma that I went for it. Well worth it; for the first time towing, I can stop for gas when I want, not when the tow vehicle wants!

[Chotch]

Originally Posted by hlrosenberger

I have watched videos on the Andersen Ultimate hitch. I also like how easy it is to install and remove, and its lite-weight!


Thanks

I think the F150 is 1 of the most popular and capable tow vehicles on this forum. Just make sure it’s specked out properly. My personal 2016 F150, 2.7 Ecoboost , 3:55 axle, with 6.5’ bed tows my 5.0 great. It has plenty of power , comfortable ride, and gets decent mileage. The Anderson Ultimate rail mounted hitch has worked out great also. It was easy to install, easy to use and really light weight. I have nothing but good things to say about truck, trailer, hitch combo.😎

[bristol5.0]

Originally Posted by Chotch

I think the F150 is 1 of the most popular and capable tow vehicles on this forum. Just make sure it’s specked out properly.

Hi, we're new and have a 5.0 on order for April 2021. We have almost the same TV as Chotch. It is a 2019 4x4 super cab with 6.5 bed and 2.7 EB. We intend to install the rail Andersen hitch. When using the ETI 5.0 tow guide it seems to require the hi-lift kit for our set-up, but your photo looks like you don't have the hi-lift option. Is that correct and what clearance do you have and what is the height of your truck's rails without any weight in the bed? Thanks,

[emers382]

Originally Posted by C&G in FL

Nah! You don’t have gallons anymore, you have liters, and they are smaller than U.S. gallons and even smaller than imperial gallons!
But it really surprises me that Ford would eliminate this as an option for vehicles for sale in Canada. I love the larger tank because the fewer times I need to maneuver around gas pumps the happier I am. I wish there were even a larger fuel tank option.

Hey Carl we have the 2.7EB in a Supercab with the 135 litre (36 USgal.) tank. I don't think we have the max tow package just the standard.

For the OP, we have a B&W Patriot hitch, yes it's heavy but comes out in two pieces so just have the rails left when we take it out for the winter. What I like is the fact it has solid locking jaws. Having seen rail cars on their side with semi trailers still attached when I worked for the CPR I wanted something that I could fully trust to hold on to the trailer no matter what. I always think when I put on the breakaway cable that this is kind of useless. Yes the Andersen is great mainly because it's light but it's still a ball and needs safety chains.

[emers382]

I just notice that Harold asked about bouncing. We certainly have less than with our old single axle 5.0. Lately I've let the pressures drop to around 55 on the Goodyear Endurance and find less disordered belongings in cabinets than at 62.

[Fox hunt]

i have an F150 2.7 eco 5'5" bed -hauls my 5.0 perfectly. i have the bigger fuel tank and additional payload . But payload is still close i have to pack carefully. and i have an Andersen hitch (light weight ).

[Centex]

Attached please find the US 2021 F-150 Order Guide 08-01-2020 (Order Guides for current and past-years are available to the general public on the Blue Oval Forum, forum registration required).

You'll note that the Extended Range tank is available as a "Free Standing Option" on most trims with a wheelbase limit noted. The Order Guide also makes clear what is required to get the various mirror, brake controller, and other options (either bundled with packages or "Free Standing"). Near the end of the document is the detail of what's included in each bundled package.

Yep, finding your perfect combination in inventory is a long-shot, but at least this shows what's possible, and exactly what you can get if you order-to-spec.

Just FYI for your reading enjoyment. Sorry, I don't have a resource for Order Guides for our Canadian friends

[Chotch]

Originally Posted by bristol5.0

Hi, we're new and have a 5.0 on order for April 2021. We have almost the same TV as Chotch. It is a 2019 4x4 super cab with 6.5 bed and 2.7 EB. We intend to install the rail Andersen hitch. When using the ETI 5.0 tow guide it seems to require the hi-lift kit for our set-up, but your photo looks like you don't have the hi-lift option. Is that correct and what clearance do you have and what is the height of your truck's rails without any weight in the bed? Thanks,

My truck side height at rear wheels is 56” , my trailer is standard height and works perfectly. You can see truck and trailer ride pretty much level.

[Allan Bornestig]

John in Santa Cruz.
My 2003 250 Super Duty extended cab with short bed (6.5 feet ) and the 21 hooked up is 43 feet according to the BC Ferries who always rounds things off.

[hlrosenberger]

Yes, the bouncing was my concern. I know someone with a 5000 lbs boat that he bumper tows with an F-150. he gets bouncing, and installed air bags in the rear suspension. The 2020 5.0 Escape is about 5000 lbs. So I would think the 5th wheel towing would eliminate most of the bouncing.



I was wondering if I should consider getting a F-250. Or I understand there is a max payload package available on a F-150 that includes upgraded leafs.

[yangstyle]

Originally Posted by hlrosenberger

Yes, the bouncing was my concern. I know someone with a 5000 lbs boat that he bumper tows with an F-150. he gets bouncing, and installed air bags in the rear suspension. The 2020 5.0 Escape is about 5000 lbs. So I would think the 5th wheel towing would eliminate most of the bouncing.



I was wondering if I should consider getting a F-250. Or I understand there is a max payload package available on a F-150 that includes upgraded leafs.

I use a F 150 to pull our 21 and do not get any bouncing. We use a WDH
( that we bought from Escape-E2 fastway ), which probably helps. The weight capacity of trucks can vary a lot so best to check the individual truck capacity out.

[hlrosenberger]

What is a WDH? And what is Escape-E2 fastway?



I'm new to all this.....

[yangstyle]

Originally Posted by hlrosenberger

What is a WDH? And what is Escape-E2 fastway?



I'm new to all this.....

Weight Distribution Hitch, and the E2 fastway is the brand we bought from Escape. There used to be a few to chose from when you are choosing the options for your trailer.