F150 Towing 101: The Basics To Safely Tow Your Toys!

If you've never hauled a trailer or RV behind your F150, the chances are good that you might be missing out on a few key elements that will ensure your big plans don't get derailed along the way...or before you even pull out of the driveway. Towing may sound simple but until you get behind the wheel and start to feel the difference in weight distribution and realize you're now making turns for two, things can tend to get a little nerve-wracking. The good news? It doesn't have to be stressful if you have the right tools from the start. By equipping your truck with the right components and some basic knowledge of how they all work together, you can be a pro from the start.

Besides the basic common sense driving tips about how you need to drive a lot slower into turns, brake and accelerate at about half the speed as normal and make well-planned lane changes way in advance, there are a lot of technical aspects you'll need to know about your truck and trailer components before you venture onto that weekend getaway or heavily task your truck for work purposes.

Step 1: Selecting The Proper Trailer Hitch

Regardless if you're rolling around in a new model F150 that is already equipped with a factory-installed towing package, there's still a lot to consider before you hit the road. A hitch with the proper weight capacity that matches up with the payload you'll be hauling is key. Anything less than Class 3 will not help you if you're planning on pulling a trailer loaded down with ATVs or Jet Skis. If that's the case it may be time to look into an aftermarket replacement (or new) hitch that is specifically designed for your 2009-2014 F150 or 2015-2016 F150.

If your F150 is equipped with a tow package, it's probably a Class 3. These hitches have a 2" x 2" square receiver tube. Class 3 receivers can handle up to 8,000 pound trailers and 800 pounds of tongue weight with a weight carrying ball mount, or up to 12,000 pounds and 1,200 pounds of tongue weight with a weight distributing hitch. This generally exceeds the towing capacities of most non-commercial vehicles, typically making it the ideal towing solution for most F150 applications.

Step 2: The Proper Trailer Hitch Receiver Is Key

Depending on the hitch installed on your F150, whether it was Ford-Factory installed or if you're upgrading to an aftermarket option to handle the proper weight of your trailer, you're going to want to make sure you get a receiver that has the correct opening. For the F150 equipped with either a Class 3 or Class 4 hitch, you're going to be looking at a 2" x 2" receiver tube. If you've lifted or lowered your truck, you're going to want take a look at our hitch receivers to determine the correct combination so you can ensure an even load capacity while towing. Class 3 and 4 hitches and receivers are typically found on F150s that need the maximum capability for pulling large trailers, RVs or heavy duty commercial loads to and from the job site.

Step 3: Choose The Correct Hitch Ball Size

Picking out the correct hitch ball size is just another piece to this towing puzzle and you're going to want to make sure you get it right the first time in order to avoid any issues when you go to assemble your towing package to your trailer. One of the best "bang for your buck" options on the market is offered by CURT. They put together a Trailer Receiver Switch Ball Set that provides you with 3 of the most popular ball sizes typically associated with a Class 3 or Class 4 set-up. Regardless of whether you typically tow the same trailer or if your future plans might involve varying trailer applications, having a Receiver Switch Ball kit at the ready can prepare you for those times you need to switch from an RV, toy hauler or any other Class 3 or 4 application.

Step 4: Electrical Systems

Gearing up your F150 with top-of-the-line trailer components is not complete without the safety, performance and durability of a properly functioning electrical system. Fortunately, the latest technology in wiring can typically make installation a breeze. Most of the current electrical solutions these days are plug-and-play, making for an easy installation that gets your turn stop, turn and tail lights activated correctly when you need them most. Regardless of whether your F150 came with a tow package, you still need a wiring harness that can connect from your truck to trailer. For most F150 trucks, an inexpensive and reliable way to get your truck's wiring communicating with your trailer is with a T-Connector from CURT.

The great news is that installation is a breeze. With a T-Connector you won't have to stress out over splicing wires as this kit is fully plug-and-play and makes this process a heck of a lot easier than other options and do-it-yourself projects out there. Unless your F150 already came from the factory loaded up with a towing package, this wiring solution is the next best option to get your trailer hooked up to your F150 and will give you the confidence of knowing that your trailer's indicator lights will operate effectively while driving up or down severe grades in any situations you find yourself in.

Step 5: Safety & Security

One of the last things you want to have to worry about when towing is your trailer disconnecting while traveling and a great way to solve this issue is with a Hitch Lock. The typical option is to just use a basic pin and clip but if you're hauling something that's really important, you may want to disregard that flimsy design for an up-rated product that will not only ensure safety but protection of your investment. Designed specifically for 2" Class 3 and 4 Receivers, locks from CURT feature a 5/8" pin diameter with easy-to-operate 1/4 turn lock activation for security. Like a hitch pin and clip, a hitch lock is designed to insert into the fastener hole in the side of a receiver tube in order to hold a ball mount or hitch-mounted accessory in place. However, a hitch lock takes things a step further to make sure your equipment stays secure and fully protected from tampering.

We're just skimming the surface when it comes to the towing capabilities of your F150, but hopefully this guide will help get your truck on the road and towing without any issues. There are tons of additional upgrades and accessories as well that we can help you with if you contact us here at Stage 3 (1-877-578-2433), but essentially it comes down to having a securely attached hitch, hitch receiver with the correct size ball, properly functioning electrical system and...oh yeah, chains. Do not forget to secure your trailer with chains. It's not only a smart and safe way to go but it's also required by law.