Towing 29 BHS with an 2003 F250 V8?

[Topher24]

Will be delivering our 29 BHS trailer (2007) to it's new home (100mile trip, all highway) this weekend, using a 2003 F250 V8.

Couple questions...
1) Will this be enough truck?
2) Do I need a electronic break controller?
3) What size WDH will I need to use?

This will be the only time the trailer will be moved...

Thanks in advance..

[TexasA&M]

This will be plenty of truck. If you're only going 100 miles, you can probably get by without a WDH, as the tongue weight of that trailer should only be ~750lbs depending on what is in the trailer. No need to spend $500 on something you'll only use once.

You may be able to get by without a break controller as well, considering the trailer should only be in the 5k weight range. That is plenty of truck to stop that load, as long as you drive accordingly. That said, you can pick a brake controller pretty cheap, and you can use it for any other trailer that has brakes, so it may be a worthwhile purchase.

[Rustic Eagle]

I agree the F250 will tow the 29BHS fine, but if I'm not mistaken the Ford OEM receiver has a maximum weight carrying (no WDH) capacity of around 500lbs, and the dry tongue weight of an '07' 29BHS is 765lbs, so I would expect it to actually be a little heavier.

I would borrow a 800lb or 1,000lb rated WDH for the 100 mile trip to be on the safe side. As far as no brake controller, well, the TV brakes will handle the F250 weight just fine, but the additional rolling 5,800lbs "plus" TT behind it could be an issue.

If this were my situation, I would ask a friend that has a TV with a WDH and brake controller to tow the TT the 100 miles....., that's just me.

Bob

[cablerum]

I would not worry about the WDH, but I would use the brake controller for sure. Never know when you have to make a sudden stop.

[Topher24]

Thanks for the feedback... Found out that I can pick up a brake controller for about $70 and it will plug directly into the truck. Will let everyone know how it goes Sat night.

[clutch]

My brother in law tows a 320RLDS with a 3/4 ton Ford. It has the 5.4 V8 and 4:10 gears. The truck has an extra transmission cooler and air bags. It is a little slower on the Mt. passes but he is happy with it.

[Topher24]

Well today was a success! Didn't use a wdh because the one I was going to borrow still hade the brackets attached to another trailer. However the brake controller was a must! Several times it came in handy when the trailer would sway. The F250 was a champ!

[clutch]

Originally Posted by cdembek

Well today was a success! Didn't use a wdh because the one I was going to borrow still hade the brackets attached to another trailer. However the brake controller was a must! Several times it came in handy when the trailer would sway. The F250 was a champ!

A good hitch with the proper spring bars would just about eliminate that sway.