Setting Up 2001 Ford F150 to Tow 4500 lb Camper  

Question:

Expert Reply:

The towing capacity of your truck is going to depend on how the truck is equipped, such as the cab configuration and the rear end gear ratio. I can't provide you with a definite capacity without knowing the particulars of your vehicle, but I will say the the owner's manual will provide you with all the specifics according to how your vehicle is configured. The manual has a very comprehensive breakdown of how the way the vehicle is equipped affects the towing capacity.

The lowest towing capacity I saw for your truck was a Regular Cab 4x4 w/manual transmission and the 3.31 gears at 1900 lbs. The highest I saw was the Regular Cab Auto transmission 4x2 with the 3.55 gears at 5800 lbs.

I'm not sure what you're speaking of regarding the bumper. If you're speaking of a towing bumper where a trailer ball can be installed, the capacity of the bumper might be 7000 lbs, but you'll be limited to the towing capacity of the lowest rated component. Even though the bumper might be rated for 7000 lbs, your truck is going to be rated less than that.

Honestly, I'd recommend you install a frame mounted hitch like the # C13038. The problem with a bumper mounted trailer ball is that it won't usually allow you to tow your trailer so it's level. The ball is at a set height, and there's no way of adjusting it. Trailers that aren't towed level are much more susceptible to trailer sway, so you'll want to tow level if at all possible.

For a 33 foot camper, you'll need a functional 7-way trailer connector and a brake controller if you don't have one already. For a brake controller, I'd recommend the Tekonsha Primus, part # TK90160. The Primus works extremely well, yet is reasonably priced. How you go about installing that and the trailer connector will depend on how your truck came from the facotry. If you don't have any factory trailer connector at all, you'd first install a # 118344 and then use our Brake Controller Installation Kit, part # ETBC7.

If you already have the factory 4-pole trailer connector (you can tell it's factory if it plugs into the rectangular connector on the driver's side frame rail), you'd unplug the connection and plug part # 118242 inline with that connection. Then, you'd install the fuses and relays included with the kit and plug the controller into its connector under the dash using the # 3035-P wiring harness. If you already have the factory 7-way, you'll only need to plug the controller in, and you'll be ready to go.

expert reply by: Mike L

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