I own a 2002 4.2 F-150 XL Flareside Automatic. There was already a trailer hitch on it when I bought it. I will be moving from San Diego to New Orleans in a few weeks and will be using a U Hual Sport Trailer. It only weighs 535lb empty and will probably only have 300lbs max in it. There are a few mountains just outside of San Diego that I will have to drive through, but they're not much. Anyone see any issues with this? Thanks.

 

That's a small trailer. You might not even know its back there if it only weighs 535 lbs with a 300 lb load.

FWIW, I towed a 3,000+ lb car on a 600+ lb tow dolley over the Altamont Pass in the Bay Area with a '99 4.2 supercab with 3.55 gears and it was no problem.

 

Towed more with a 4-banger toyota pickup without issue.
You will have no problem.

Have a question though.
In that it is only 300 lbs, have you priced shipping it vice the cost of a oneway trailer rental?

 

Hmmmmm.

I have a sneaking suspicion that this might be a military move - if so, he will be reimbursed for the trailer rental.

 

Ok, if the trailer is a given I'd make it work harder than 300 lbs.

It is easier on your truck & gas mileage to tow rather than haul.
and if it's in the bed, your hauling it.

I'm guessing bed space is maxed out? If so, up the trailer load and lighten the bed.

 

I took a look at that 'sport trailer'.
That thing is for small vehicles like a Focus or a Corolla.

You should move up to the 4x8 and chock it full.
At least you'll be able to see the roof through your mirror, barely.
Wind resistance is minimal with the 4x8 and it's only 300lbs heavier.

The only time you'd see that sport trailer is when you hit a bump.
Not only would not even know it's there, more importantly would not know when it isn't there. You could go through three states before you knew it was gone.

 

Thanks for all the info. One more question. Do you think a tranny cooler would be required if I towed the 4x8 trailer with a total weight of ~1300 lbs?

 

Certainly wouldn't hurt. But I wouldn't say it's "required" for that light of a load.

 

Just not sure if I will have the time or tools to install one before I leave. Much of my stuff is already packed and gone.

 

Just to ease your mind, look on the driverside door jamb of your truck. It'll tell you what the vehicle can handle. I agree with the others though, not a problem.

Good luck, be safe.

 

Don't worry about it.
Towing 1300 lbs isn't any harder on the tranny than having 800 lbs in the bed.

I assume your change in numbers is because you are moving stuff from the bed to the trailer and not because you acquired more stuff.

 

The factory tranny cooler is good enough with that light a load. Just lock out overdrive if it starts hunting for gears.

 

Buy a set of locking pins, one for the drawbar, one for the trailer tongue.

And when you stop for the night, back the trailer up to a wall or at least get the trailer tires against a curb.
Just figure out some way the trailer can't be uncoupled unless the truck is moved.

 

I twoed the 4x8 from Tampa to Knoxville with my 4.6.. twice, once for my honey, once for me.. hardly knew it was back there, until i changed lanes hauling through Atlanta.. that was a few seconds of excitment! You should be fine.