Guys,
I know this might be a little off topic but maybe I can get some info here. I have a 2001 Ford SuperCrew 5.4 with the towing package rated at 7700 of towing capacity. I would like to have an enclosed trailer but not at the expense of buying a new truck. So, I was wondering if there is anyone out there that can shed some experiences.
I do have a friend that has towed a 24' enclosed with a crew cab F150 from Daytona Florida to Atlanta and back and he said that on the way back it threw a service engine light and sucked twice as much gas on the way back than up. However, this might have been cause from with running a different mass-aif flow unit.

 

Never done it, but I'd say you'd be pushing it a bit. Consider the trailer alone at 5000 lbs. You would likely kill your truck way prematurely.

$.02

 

Get a bigger truck, that is a lot of weight for that truck to handle. It could do it, but who knows for how long.

 

With a car in it you're gonna be right at the max capacity of the truck. It'll do it, sure, but how well? Will it have enough brakes? Will the trailer push the thing all over the place?

I wouldn't do it if it were up to me. "Can" do it doesn't mean it'll br pleasant.

 

ive got a 97 tahoe with the 5.7vortec and ive pulled a 22ft enclosed before and its possible with what you have just make sure you leave it in 3rd and NOT OD and you should be ok and going any faster than 70 just wastes a ton of gas

 

Towed with the 04 SuperCrew to Cali from VA and back with a 24ft. Tow rating on the 04 was 13k lbs of towing capacity Trailer had electronic brakes and the Jake Brake

 

Diesel: it's what's for towing.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Littleton &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Tow rating on the 04 was 13k lbs </TD></TR></TABLE>

You sure about that? That's Superduty numbers. Even the new F-150 3-valve only has something like 9000 lbs.

 

maybe you should get one made out of Aluminum that should be lighter for your truck, i believe I saw a website that makes really nice one all see if i can dig that back up and i will PM you the website

 

I agree, that sounds like F350 towing numbers.

Rich, since it wouldn't hurt you to own a weight distributing hitch (8k??), buy one and do a test tow w/ Junkie's trailer to Daytona and back or something and see how it goes for you.

 

Real trucks don't have spark plugs

 

on a Ford you're going to run out of braking power before you run out of engine power

 

We used to tow 25' enclosed trailer with a chevy 2500
but it was much easier to tow with the Dogde Dullie with the diesel

It didn't wave all over the road, it didn't slow us down on the hill
plus it was more comfortable

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Aahj &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Real trucks don't have spark plugs</TD></TR></TABLE>

Real race cars have doors.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by poSEuR &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">

Real race cars have doors. </TD></TR></TABLE>

i have a few of those shirts that honda gave out a few years back

 

A racing buddy of mine has a similar set-up as yours. His does struggle on his a bit, Pittsburgh and surrounding area is very steep, but he still has managed to get to every race. The biggest problems with the 1/4 ton Ford's is the e4od auto transmission. 1 and 2 gear are good for starting out, but it falls on its face in 3rd and 4th. Additionally, the e4od runs very hot w/out a large trans cooler.

I have a 1992 f250 with e4od and 5.8 351, old red gets the job done with enclosed. As stated before, neaver run the truck in od when towing. Also add an aftermarket transcooler to help keep the temps down.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by MaddMatt &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Diesel: it's what's for towing.</TD></TR></TABLE>

Its funny that now days with all of the diesel upgrades one can do, and how simple most of them are, one's tow vehicle could be faster than the race car they're towing!

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by EKology &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">
one's tow vehicle could be faster than the race car they're towing! </TD></TR></TABLE>

&lt;--- Case in point

 

Sorry I've been away a little but getting ready for Hurricane Francis and the fact that I've just spent 6k dollars on taking down a tree is probably going to put a damper on the whole enclosed trailer thing. In either case, I think I'll try what you suggested PhatS. That will let me know if it could or not.

 

It can be done! It wont be the easiest but its possible and safe witha functional braking system and brake controller