Pulling 28' AS w/Ford F-150

[calberta]

Help, please!! We are considering buying a 2008, 28' Airstream trailer (rated @ 7600 lbs. gr wt) and will be pulling it with a 2008 Ford F150 Lariat truck, 5.7L engine rated @ 8100 lbs. Do you think this truck is sufficient to pull the trailer?

[Wayward]

Originally Posted by calberta

Help, please!! We are considering buying a 2008, 28' Airstream trailer (rated @ 7600 lbs. gr wt) and will be pulling it with a 2008 Ford F150 Lariat truck, 5.7L engine rated @ 8100 lbs. Do you think this truck is sufficient to pull the trailer?

Yes it will be a fine tow vehicle with a good weight distribution hitch.

Tow for a while and see if you want to make some upgrades. A lower gear in the rear axle will make a big difference. Stiffer load range D or E tires will add to capacity and stability as well. If it does not already have one, you'll want to add a transmission cooler.

Consider the UBW of the trailer plus what you think you will put in it, and not the GVWR.

Get the Airstream and you will make that F150 one very happy truck

[Kosm1o]

Which model is it? The Safari is much lighter, for instance, than a Classic. We have a 28 Safari, 2005 , that weighs about 6,600 loaded for camping. But we pack light. We have no problem pulling it with our 5.3 Silverado.

[powool]

Often, when the trailer weight comes that close to the limit, you won't be very happy with the resulting performance. It does, however depend on your goals. If you imagine just towing 200 miles a year, it might be fine, but for any serious travel, I suspect at least an Eco boost 1/2 ton or a 3/4 ton with 11000 or up tow rating at a minimum.

[DKB_SATX]

From the towing capacity you quoted, I'm guessing you have a 5.4L with a 3.55 rear axle. Does it have a factory tow package? (Ford receiver, 7-pin plug, pre-wiring for trailer brake controller and a transmission cooler.)

If it has the factory tow package, a good WD hitch and careful attention to loading should be all you need to use it as a tow vehicle. It's not going to win races over the Continental Divide, but we're not in it for winning races, right?

My '07 has plenty of reserve power towing my trailer that's smaller/lighter than the one you're looking at.

[dkottum]

Sounds like a well-matched rig. Need a properly installed weight distribution hitch with sway control, and a brake controller. Don't load down the truck as it has limited payload with trailer sitting on the hitch. If you tow a lot, you may want truck tires with a stiffer sidewall for less side-to-side wobble than the standard passenger-rated tires, but don't increase tire size.

doug k