Recommended Towing Products To Allow 2000 Ford F-150 To Safely Tow 3000-4000lb Boat Trailer

Question:

I own a 2000 Ford F150 Base 2wd Single Cab Long Bed. I am looking to purchase a boat next year and would like to make my truck safe to pull around a 3-4000 lb 18-20foot boat. I want to know what transmission cooler, brake controller, trailer brake harness, and receive hitch would best work. The truck has what I believe to be the factory 4 pin connector mounted to the bumper. Should I also get a weight distribution hitch?

asked by: Clinton G

Expert Reply:

I would be happy to help, but there are a few items you listed that are not commonly used on a boat trailer.

Typically boat trailers do not use electric trailer brakes thus eliminating the need for a trailer brake controller or controller wiring harness. Boat trailers more commonly use surge brakes which are hydraulic and use a surge brake coupler to control the braking force. Some surge brake actuators use an electric reverse lockout solenoid, so if the boat trailer you purchase has one you will need to add a 4-way to 5-way adapter # C57187 to your 2000 Ford F-150's 4-way connector.

The adapter will simply plug in to your factory 4-way and just require you to connect the blue wire to the reverse light circuit on your truck with the included quick splice. Using a circuit tester like # PTW2993 will help you find the correct circuit.

Next for a trailer hitch receiver I recommend the Draw-Tite Max-Frame Trailer Hitch Receiver - Custom Fit - Class III - 2" # 75740 which has a 900lb tongue weight rating and 6000lbs trailer weight rating which will be plenty for a 3000-4000lb boat.

Moving on to a weight distribution hitch, it is not very common to use a weight distribution hitch on a boat trailer but it is defineitly possible if you choose to do so. You would need to confirm the total tongue weight of the specific boat your end up purchasing. Total tongue weight is the tongue weight of your fully loaded and ready to tow trailer plus the weight of any cargo behind the rear axle of your F-150. If you can provide this info after you get a boat I would be happy to make a recommendation for you.

Lastly for a transmission cooler I recommend the Derale Series 8000 Plate-Fin Transmission Cooler Kit w/Barb Inlets - Class III - Efficient # D13502 which is confirmed to fit your F-150 and will do a great job of keeping your transmission fluid cool when towing long distances, or on hot summer days.

If your truck has the 4.2L V6 or 4.6L V8 you will need adapters # D13025 and # D13024. If your truck has the 5.4L V8 then you will only need the adapter # D13025.

I recommend checking the owner's manual of your truck and checking out the trailer towing section. In there you will find the towing capacity of your truck based on your engine size, and will need to make sure you stay under that rating no matter what.

I included videos of the products mentioned for you to take a look at.