Spinoff - Can an F150 pull a trailer?

[Evalee_Hunter]

[QUOTE=Trixie;4088355]
Most 16 year olds have not been learning to pull a trailer since they were 13, since many parents don’t actually start teaching their children to drive until it’s acceptable under the law for them to do so.

It’s not just the ability of a 16-year old to drive smoothly, it’s the ability to predict and react safely to the movements of other drivers. The place to learn to do that is not with a horse trailer attached.[/QUOTE]

It is absolutely & perfectly legal for a child of any age to drive on private property - & I made it CLEAR that my daughter drove the trailer ON OUR OWN LAND, hitching it & backing it to where it would be loaded, etc.

Actually, a child who is a terrific cross-country event rider is likely to make a terrific driver from their first time behind the wheel.

Furthermore, it is quite usual for farm children to drive all sorts of vehicles prior to the age of getting a learner’s permit - tractors, for example, can be (legally) driven on the road by children, even pulling a loaded hay wagon. When I was growing up in a farm community, most kids got their driver’s license on the first day they could do so as they already drove competently, having driven trucks of various sizes all over the farm.

[Trixie]

It is absolutely & perfectly legal for a child of any age to drive on private property - & I made it CLEAR that my daughter drove the trailer ON OUR OWN LAND, hitching it & backing it to where it would be loaded, etc.

Actually, Evalee, no, you didn’t. What you said was:

Personally, I started my daughter driving the horse trailer when she was 13. When we were getting ready for events, she needed to go out & back up the truck & hitch the trailer & then she needed to back the trailer to where we could load it. She needed to check tire pressures & truck oil level & what have you. There’s a WHOLE LOT more to safe trailering than just driving.

Once she had her permit she started driving the trailer on the road with me with her. We did many, many hours that way on all kinds of road in all kinds of weather (she competed often). After a while (a year, maybe) she was on her own.

There’s nothing about where you taught her to drive, and I don’t know what your personal circumstances are because you didn’t include them.

But I stand by my point: MOST 16 year olds in this country don’t start learning to drive trailers at 13. Most don’t have the land to practice on. And we all know that 16-year-olds are prone to overshooting their own abilities and assuming that they’re experienced enough to handle something that they aren’t.

Furthermore, that doesn’t change the fact that NO 16 year old driver will have the skills that only come from experience on the road with other cars, and frankly, when someone is hauling something as big as a horse trailer, that experience is crucial. Particularly around here, since it’s quite urban, but anywhere, really.

[Evalee_Hunter]

Once she had her permit she started driving the trailer on the road

If that phrase doesn’t tell you she drove on private property until she had her permit, I don’t know how I would say it so you understood.

[Trixie]

I’m sure there’s plenty of places to drive that aren’t YOUR land and that aren’t considered a roadway, for instance, the parking lot at the mall, or a showgrounds where 11-year-olds regularly drive golf carts unsupervised. I apologize if you feel that I didn’t consider your post carefully enough, but my original post on the matter was not directed at your personal circumstances.

Further, that doesn’t change my point.

But hey, if you feel your teenager is totally competent behind the wheel hauling a live load, fine. I personally don’t think that most of them are, nor do I think most of the general public is educated enough about safely driving around large rigs. I’d be less concerned about my daughter’s ability to safely tow a trailer in ideal conditions (say, on your private farm) as I would be her ability to identify the idiot that’s going to slam on the brakes in front of her and avoid the problem.

Because like I said, 16-year-olds, or those just getting their licenses, don’t have adequate experience driving in traffic.

[fair_judy]

the day after i got my driver’s permit i got behind the wheel of our family six horse imperator and drove it to virginia with five horses in it.

yes a f150 can pull a trailer. you need brake assist to drive just about any truck trailer combo, IMO. sway bars are not a necessity but do help.

[Nickelodian]

This is for 2009, but here:

http://www.fordvehicles.com/trucks/f150/specifications/towing/

My truck is a Super Crew 4x2 145 inch wheel base 5.4L V8 6 speed automatic with a 3.73 Axle Ration. It is rated to pull 11,300 lbs.

My trailer is a 2 horse BP with tack room. Empty weight is 3500, loaded weight with two BIG horses 9500. I’m happiest hauling only one, but two works out just fine as well.

[Jaegermonster]

@rugbygirl;4088492

Nonsense. A lot of the F150s are specifically built to tow. Where did you come by this “fact” that only 250s or 2500s are tow vehicles?

I don’t think I pronounced it as “fact”. I stated that personally it is not something I would do.
There is a reason why they make heavy duty trucks.
If it’s a smaller trailer and not going on long trips it might be ok.
I haul a lot (3-4 days a week) and more than a few hours each way every time. I would not be comfortable with an F150 or a smaller trailer.

[Ajierene]

[QUOTE=Trixie;4088782]

Because like I said, 16-year-olds, or those just getting their licenses, don’t have adequate experience driving in traffic.[/QUOTE]

But a lot of adults have no business in cars or pulling trailers. My old gelding took a trailer trip with a guy that towed horses for years and we all thought he wasn’t that great of a driver. Low and behold, while my gelding never refused to get into a trailer, he refused to get in THAT PARTICULAR trailer ever again. It was a two horse straight load and he would get in other two horse straight loads, but NOT THAT ONE! (we thought it very funny).

On the other hand, there are a lot of adults and a lot of kids that are fine with trailering. In many states, you can get a ‘farm permit’ for your child, which allows them to drive farm equipment and sometimes (depending on the state) trucks off the farm. Usually this can be done for a 13 or 14 year old (yes, there is a lower age limit).

As far as trucks go, I have a Dodge 1500 (similar in engine/type to an F150) and it tows just fine. If the connection for the trailer brakes does not match the connection on the truck, they have adapters you can use. Be mindful of the towing capacity and wheelbase (6ft bed size is not enough-like Evalee said, at least 120"). Now if you are looking at an extend cab with a 6’ bed, it may work-but check it out.

Driving a trailer is not that hard - you just have to be mindful that you have a trailer back there and account for it. I didn’t start driving a truck and trailer until I had been driving for about 6 years. I did not have anyone to teach me and hence, I am not the greatest (backing the trailer up is not my thing), so I would recommend getting someone to help you with the nuances the first few times-no matter how long you have been driving a vehicle!

[nlk]

We hauled for years with 1500 vehicles. We had a 2 horse gooseneck with rear tack and a dressing room. my old horse ROCKED any trailer he was in and we never had a problem even with two horses in the vehicle.

On the '95 my dad had a chip installed to help the engine and we had electric brakes.

If attached properly there is no reason a 1500 with the proper towing capacity can’t haul a standard 2 horse trailer.

[rugbygirl]

I don’t think I pronounced it as “fact”.

Actually, you did.

an F150 will show the wear and tear a lot sooner on the mechanical parts than a truck that is meant to be pulling.

I stated that personally it is not something I would do.
There is a reason why they make heavy duty trucks.

Yes, for even HEAVIER trailers. FYI, F150s can be “heavy duty” too. The classification is pretty meaningless unless it is qualified with a tow and payload rating.

If it’s a smaller trailer and not going on long trips it might be ok.

If the trailer is within the towing capacity of the truck, short or long trip doesn’t matter even a little bit. If the trailer ISN’T within the towing capacity, you shouldn’t be driving it ANYWHERE. If you’re having trouble with F150 trucks burning through transmissions, brakes or suspensions from towing things WITHIN THE TOW CAPACITY, then something else is wrong with the truck.

I haul a lot (3-4 days a week) and more than a few hours each way every time. I would not be comfortable with an F150 or a smaller trailer.

That’s great. Drive what you’re comfortable with. Don’t make things up about smaller trucks just because you don’t like them.

[Jaegermonster]

Well, bless your peapickin’ lil ol’ heart rugbygirl.

[huntergirl007]

@RedTahoe;4088400

1. What year F-150?
2. How many miles?
3. What body style? Single cab? Extended Cab? Quad Cab?
4. Engine Size?
5. Transmission? Rebuilt? Same? New?
6. What type of material is the trailer constructed from? Steel? Aluminum?
7. Bumper pull or Gooseneck?
8. Slant load or straight load?
9. One horse at a time, or two horses?
10. Horses or ponies? Regular horses or drafts?

Thank you all for your advice!

I’m not sure how many miles it will go. Max 30 mins at a time…we won’t be travelling far and when we’re going to shows we will be using another truck.
It’s a quad cab. Not sure the engine size, but it is new. The trailer is steel (I am pretty sure) and it’s a gooseneck. It’s a straight load and only one horse at a time (but possibly two). One horse is a larger TB (I’ll say 12000lbs MAX?) and the other one is a large pony.

But thank you all for the advice for sure! And NO - it will not be me driving the trailer and I really do not think I will be driving the trailer for a while. But I will be getting a truck and I wasn’t sure, if I WANTED to ever tow every now and then, if a Rumble Bee or an F150 would work better. Sounds to me like the F150 is best

And I apologize to those who thought I was demented. Like I said, I just ride the horses, not too used to driving them around

[poltroon]

A gooseneck trailer is a pretty heavy two horse, and really pushing the envelope of most F150s. If the truck is borrowed, it’s not likely to have a gooseneck hitch. (Even if it pulls a “gooseneck” type RV, that is a different hitch style.)

Sometimes the most dangerous part of hauling is pulling out of the driveway, so even short trips need to be taken seriously, especially if you will be in a semi-urban area or if there are hills.

[Trixie]

But a lot of adults have no business in cars or pulling trailers.

I agree with you.

But at least an adult has the benefit of a few years of driving in traffic under their belt prior to hauling around a live animal.

[Everythingbutwings]

With so many thousands of members on COTH, it is important to keep in mind that we are not all located in the same part of the country (much less the world!) and that traffic conditions vary widely from location to location.

Many of us are in areas where there is an enormous amount of traffic congestion and a high percentage of drivers who are not accustomed to the presence of agricultural equipment or livestock trailers.

With the increase in congestion, there is an increase in the lack of courtesy and patience of other drivers as well. Road rage and aggressive driving is a common occurrence in the area that I happen to live and travel in.

I am sure that lack of experience behind the wheel is not as much of an issue in less populated areas where far more of the terrain is flat and has good sight lines, fewer intersections and traffic signals.

[Equibrit]

A review of the Rumble Bee;

Road Test: 2004 Dodge Ram Rumble Bee
By: Mike Magda
Posted: 10-31-04 21:48 PT

2004 PickupTruck.com

There isn’t a pickup in any showroom with a more ridiculous name than the Dodge Ram Rumble Bee. It’s a woefully misdirected attempt to draw on the proud history of the ‘60s musclecar era when Dodge had the exciting but affordable Super Bee midsize coupe. If you’re going to bring back a name, then bring back the original. What is a Rumble Bee? If change is necessary, how about Killer Bee? I’d rather see a truck just for girls called Queen Bee. Or one for seniors called Aunt Bee.

Dodge is promoting the Rumble Bee around the famed bumble bee stripes looping around the rear of the cargo box, but then they paste this silly name on those iconic graphics. In a real slap at the musclecar heritage, the package is being offered on 4x4 pickups. That’s how I can tell that no one was serious about building solid credentials for this truck. It appears to me as nothing more than a marketing exercise led by an uninspired committee of MBA interns who probably never drove a Super Bee, Challenger T/A or Hemi-powered Charger and have absolutely no understanding of the excitement, passion and impact those vehicles had on psyche of American performance enthusiasts in the ‘60s.

But the name isn’t all that’s wrong with this truck. It’s an expensive, cheesy cosmetic makeover that Dodge is trying to pass off as being collectible, promoting the overused and often undeserved “limited edition” label. In a show of mercy, only 3700 units will be produced. Hopefully all the owners will think of them as a collectible and lock them in the garage, keeping the streets safe from this rolling tribute to schlock

So what do you get for $2600 in addition to the bumble bee stripes? Lower body cladding, monochromatic color scheme in either black or Solar Yellow, yellow interior accent trim on doors and yellow center bezel, taillamp guards, chrome exhaust tip, aluminum fuel filler door and—hold your breath—a “unique” numbered plaque on the dash. Total MSRP for our test vehicle was $31,580, including $850 destination charge. That includes $595 for the Sport appearance group, $465 for tow package, $1,170 for 5-speed automatic transmission, $50 for 3.92:1 axle ratio, $995 for Hemi engine, $950 for 6-CD changer, $895 for 20-inch wheels and $245 for bedliner. Those are a lot of extras to support the Rumble Bee package

Otherwise the Rumble Bee—you have no idea how hard it is to write that name without cringing—is a spirited half-ton with a 345-horsepower Hemi under the phony hood scoop. As a mechanical exercise, the truck itself is wonderful but it’s nothing different than a regular cab, short bed Ram 1500 with a mid-level Sport trim and the Hemi option. This truck just has a lot of tawdry makeup that thankfully is only skin deep. Someone at Dodge had the insight in not allowing the MBA interns near the hardware. All the refinement, power, convenience and comfort built into the latest generation Ram pickup comes through when driving this truck. All you need are sunglasses and a hat so no one recognizes you behind the wheel.

[poltroon]

lol, Equibrit!

[feather_river]

[QUOTE=Evalee Hunter;4088743]
If that phrase doesn’t tell you she drove on private property until she had her permit, I don’t know how I would say it so you understood.[/QUOTE]

You know it made perfect sense to me also. Who could take it any other way? but on COTH, public school reading seems to be the norm:eek:

[feather_river]

[QUOTE=Trixie;4090296]
I agree with you.

But at least an adult has the benefit of a few years of driving in traffic under their belt prior to hauling around a live animal.[/QUOTE]

I had to laugh when I read this. Think about it. An adult has the benefit of a few years of driving…prior to hauling around a live animal.

Wait–there is no prohibition in my state against anyone any age hauling around another human. No requirement that you have a few years of driving for that. God forbid we should haul an animal!

Don’t mean to pick a fight here, but maybe I’m needing a break from sitting at my desk. This stuff is truly funny.

[feather_river]

[QUOTE=rugbygirl;4089336]

Yes, for even HEAVIER trailers. FYI, F150s can be “heavy duty” too. The classification is pretty meaningless unless it is qualified with a tow and payload rating.
.[/QUOTE]

An F150 is a 1/2 ton and not a ‘heavy duty’. The 3/4 and 1 tons [of all three brands] are ‘heavy duty’ because they are on truck rail frames and not on unibody frames, like the 1/2 tons are. The F150 is a 1/2 ton and not built on a rail frame.

But, yes I know you can tow with a 1/2 ton. The capacity is different, and part of the reason is that you are towing with the unibody, not with the rail frame. Go here for Ford’s towing info.

http://www.fordvehicles.com/assets/pdf/towing/09_TrailerGuide.pdf