I just did a 17.5K mile summer tour of the NW pulling a 31 foot TT w/ a 4700 lb dry weight. Might have been around 6K loaded but we never weighed it. The motor was great. The brakes were a little frightening at times even with the controller set to 7.5. I wouldn't feel comfortable towing much heavier based on what I learned / experienced. Mileage was pretty bad depending, of course, on terrain. I was anywhere from 6.5 in the mountains to 12 - 13 on the flats w/ a tailwind.

I'd be happy to answer any specific questions.

('10 SLT Quad, Hemi, 3.92, trailer brake, 17s)

BillO

 

It really depends on the frequency of towing and what the conditions are like. I towed an enclosed trailer that was over #9K this summer on a 2000+ mile trip that included a lot of serious mountain driving and a lot of interstate driving. My 1500 handled it very well, except for the MPG. It never caused me to question the power or braking capability. Search under my ID for a post from August recapping the trip.

Would I use this truck to tow like that on a frequent basis (like for a regular work activity)? No. But the truck was more than capable for the way I used it and I don't think that 2000 mile trip put any undue stress on the vehicle.

If conditions had been different, such as winter driving in the mountains or 100* heat, I probably wouldn't have been nearly as comfortable with the capabilities of the truck. When you get into extremes that push the limits of things like truck-to-trailer weight ratio, brake capability, cooling capacity, that's where an HD truck shines through, as well as endurance for towing the big loads all year long.

Rob

 

My uncle owned a resort/lodge in northern WI., and always drove Dodge Ram 1500's, which involved towing everyday of boats, closed trailers, ground maintenance equipment, structure products, etc...

Two years ago he retired, and decided to trade his Ram for a new one, Dodge low balled him a trade-in offer, so he went to the local Ford dealership which offered him 3k more on trade-in.

To make a long story short, his '08 F-150 (he jokes) is like brand new (presently) because he's replaced everything on it at least once (mostly drive train related issues, tranny twice, this being with the fact he ordered his 150 with the proper gearing, and tow package. With only 24k miles today (a quarter of the towing he did when he owned the resort), he couldn't be more displeased with his F-150 and how it didn't even come close to his Dodge Ram 1500.

I'm not bias, I own a Ford with a 4.6 V8 on my '07 Explorer Ltd., but I've been with my uncle in his F-150 towing a trailer, I can say first hand I thought the Dodge 1500 did a better job. Didn't really like the mid-power range on the F-150, I felt the Hemi did a much better job with aceleration at speeds between 40-75 mph.

 

I have a hemi in a 2009 -1500 Laramie.It has the 3.92 gear ratio. I pull a 26 travel trailer and have experienced no problems. It is not flat at all where I live. All around driving city and highway is about 15.4 mpg, towing the camper is around 12.5. No more than you tow you will be fine. Go for it.

 

I use to be a ford guy and still am (somewhat)... But they are right the Hemi will blow the doors of the 5.4. I had a 06 f-150 with a programmer, and my 04 Hemi would kill the 06 without a problem. I can't comment on the new fords as I haven't driven the 2011's yet with the new motor's. But ford went back to the 302 (5.0). not sure if it will be a dud like the other motors ford had.