... but will my 08 FX4 w/towing pkg. control the trailer brakes on an 05 Thor Citation? Or will I have to install a brake controller?

TIA.

 

You need a controller if the trailer has electric brakes. A Prodigy and Ford harness isn't too expensive.

http://www.etrailer.com/p-90185-3035...eid=2008106261

 

Ordered Tekonsha Prodigy 90185-3035P.

Hopefully it's the easy plug n play it looks like. The connector I have to plug into is under the sterring column, correct?

Sorry for askin questions I could easily search for... I'm not in the right mind the last few days.

 

It's usually above the gas pedal, under the dash somewhere. Depends on the truck, really. On my F-150 it was easy to find. On my F-250, they bury the damn thing.

 

ME: '08 FX4 SCrew, 5.4L, tow pkg, 5.5' bed = 7400GVWR

TRAILER: '05 Thor Citation = 8900GVWR

My grandfather towed this thing with an '07 XLT, 5.4, aftermarket tow pkg and a 6.5' bed.

Can I safely tow this trailer from Florida to CT?

Also, I've got in the glovebox a gray connector w/pigtails on it to be wired for trailer elec. Does this mean I don't have the necessary wiring in place yet?
I haven't gotten a chance to look for the plug under the dash yet, so...

 

How long is the trailer? The truck should tow it, but you'll know its back there.

The gray pigtail that you have is the truck end of that harness. Your Prodigy controller will come with its wiring/plug end, and you connect the 4 or 5 (I forget how many wires) together. Very simple. My Prodigy came with a diagram of what color wires from each harness go to what on the other harness.

 

It's a 32' TBS (WT-L-BHP 33') Thor Citation.

I bought the Prodigy that comes with the 08 F150 harness, so it should be plug and play. LoL, I hope. I did locate two empty plugs under the dash, and I'm 99% sure it's all set.

Anything besides running with OD off I should take care to note?

Not exactly my ideal "first tow" with this truck. But it's gotta be done.

 

7400# is the max load on the truck (gross vehicle weight rating). That's a loaded truck plus the tongue weight. Your max tow rating is 8300# with a 3.55 axle, 9300# with a 3.73 axle. You will exceed GVWR (and possible GAWR - gross axle weight rating) long before you hit either of those numbers. You will need a weight distribution hitch setup with antisway. Before you hit the highway, I'd go hit some truck scales and get all 3 axles weighed to see exactly where you stand.

Yes, you can tow it safely if you are very careful how you load it and the truck and have the right equipment. You WILL be exceeding one or more of the weight ratings. Do NOT be in a hurry, I'd keep it down to 55 mph, and lock it out of overdrive. Expect single digit gas mileage.

EDIT: Here is the way to get it weighed and do the math. Run just the loaded truck over the scales, get the weight slip. Then hook up the trailer and go weigh again. Get that slip.

Read the slip with the trailer. Total weight - trailer axle weight = truck load, compare to GVWR. Also check truck front and rear axle weights and compare to front and rear GAWR. Total weight should not exceed GCWR (gross combined weight rating).

Read the slip for just the truck. Take that number you got before for truck load - truck weight = tongue weight. Total weight from with trailer - truck weight = trailer weight.

Tongue weight should be between 10 and 15% of the total trailer weight. This is a parameter that you must NOT be outside of.

Max out your tire pressures as stamped on the sidewall on both the truck and trailer.

 

Here's the hitch set-up my grandfather used, and I will be using:




The GAWR of the trailer is 4000# front & rear:



Gram already yelled at me for purchasing the brake commander and basically told me she's paying me for it. Not gonna argue with her right now. I just wanna get this thing outta there and sold.

 

The GAWR of the truck is more important, and is what I was referring to. I'm far from an expert, but if that hitch is not also weight distribution, you will be overloading your stock hitch - it's only good for 500/5000. Weight distribution will get you 1000/10k.

 

That's a typical 'trunnion' style WD hitch setup. As long as you also got the bars and set them correctly, that should take care of the hitch part. (I seriously doubt that friction sway device does any good with a 32+' trailer that probably weighs in excess of #7500, but I guess it doesn't 'hurt' anything either....)

Was the 07 F150 a 4x4 or 4x2? That could make a difference in how the hitch height is setup. By the looks of the pic of the hitch, the 'drop' is turned up to be a 'rise', so either the original truck was low to the ground or the trailer tongue is way up there!

You will want the trailer to be as level as possible after it's all hitched up and ready to roll. A tad lower on the tongue is better for overall stability IMO...

Do you know how to hitch up the WD bars? How long has it been since the trailer saw the road last?

Mitch