Enclosed and 1/2 Ton

Skidoomiles · Feb 4, 2020

If your trailer is pushing your truck around, you most likely don't have enough tongue weight. That would explain why the f150 seems more in control. Trailers that size will put a lot of weight on a half ton. Another factor is what kind of tires you have, if you went to larger tires on your f350/2500 that will make for poor handling. Duratracs are a good example of spongy sidewalls, but a lot of guys run them as they have good traction(and they look aggressive!).

Rene G · Feb 5, 2020

myles696 said:
Hard to believe all the guys saying the half ton pulls a 26ft better than a diesel unless you are referring to smoother as ride comfort?

It’s the sway control, the way the 150 works is pretty awesome. I’d still rather use a 3/4-1 ton diesel, that’s why I ended up trading up to my Duramax. I’m just saying that you feel the wind more with the Duramax and even the F-350, just si everyone knows it’s not a gm thing!

Rene G · Feb 5, 2020

Skidoomiles said:
If your trailer is pushing your truck around, you most likely don't have enough tongue weight. That would explain why the f150 seems more in control. Trailers that size will put a lot of weight on a half ton. Another factor is what kind of tires you have, if you went to larger tires on your f350/2500 that will make for poor handling. Duratracs are a good example of spongy sidewalls, but a lot of guys run them as they have good traction(and they look aggressive!).

I’ve messed with the tongue weight , even ran without the torsion bars. You should look up the Ford sway control that they have in the F-150, it works

...I could be wrong, I’m not an expert. This is just my experience.

Beels · Feb 5, 2020

I've had 3/4 ton diesels and 1/2 ton gassers and went back to a 3/4 ton diesel with my current truck. Power wasn't an issue with either gas halfer, it's the weight of the truck. I use mine for towing equipment at work, have a 32ft bumper pull camper and also run a sled deck. Didn't use the deck with the half tons, for obvious reasons. The halfers handled my camper alright, but it wasn't enjoyable at all if it got windy. The 3/4 ton diesel is way less of a handful to drive towing in the wind. I even went as far as putting load range D tires on my last half ton and that made a big difference over the P rated skins that come on them, but still had an uneasy feeling when loaded heavy. The other big thing is resale. I trade trucks every year to 2 years and gas half tons take a crap kicking in resale. The diesel hd's hold their value, waaaay better.

sitruc1978 · Feb 5, 2020

Ballzdeep said:
did you're trailer have the wheels tucked under style or wheels on outside? like lilduke says, did you have any issues with wind throwing you around?

I definitely had some issues with wind until I picked up this equalizer hitch - https://www.equalizerhitch.com/. I wouldn't plan on driving 120+km/h but 100-110km/h, depending on the conditions, is fine.

Megrizzly · Feb 5, 2020

I’ve had a couple different enclosed trailers. For hauling a variety of items such as sleds, quads, or moving items, the 8.5 wide is definitely a better choice. It just works better unless all your hauling are sleds with narrow ski stance. My first trailer was also shorter and it only took a few hits to the noggin loading sleds or bikes to say adios to that trailer. I’d also avoid the exposed wheel wells in the trailer.

My current trailer has a rubber floor that’s awesome for walking up ramps and the carbides don’t hurt it. Trailer pulls fine behind the half ton, but your towing experience or expectations may be different.

catalac · Feb 5, 2020

I’m surprised how few guys use equalizing hitches with sled trailers (my self included not) 26ft box over axles swinging around, if I went back to a heavy 4 place I’d get a weight distribution hitch and a friction anti sway, buddy runs on his car hauler makes a big difference vs hanging off the ball.

gdhillon · Feb 5, 2020

I’m interested to here the opinions of buying them with heaters etc and putting your on plumbing in... (technically not jacking the thread ballz did originally ask this as well) lol

Ballzdeep · Feb 6, 2020

gdhillon said:
I’m interested to here the opinions of buying them with heaters etc and putting your on plumbing in... (technically not jacking the thread ballz did originally ask this as well) lol

yes, thank you. i too want to hear what options are out there. what did you guys do and what you shouldn't do with custom touches. I do have lots of summer miles pulling a holiday trailer 28' with my diesel in the past so a bigger trailer doesn't concern me. I have two girls only 3 years old and can imagine summer time at the track they will ride for 20 mins get bored then want to play in the trailer so id like to do something special for them on the inside, maybe small fridge and toy box, tv, just a few small touches just for them. another reason why id like something a little bigger. I do appreciate all the feedback guys :beer:

I'm going to look at the black trailer on Sunday in Airdrie.

acesup800 · Feb 6, 2020

myles696 said:
Hard to believe all the guys saying the half ton pulls a 26ft better than a diesel unless you are referring to smoother as ride comfort?

They aren't better than a diesel. Sway control adjusts throttle and brakes to prevent the vehicle from getting out of shape. It wouldn't be very efficient if was continually being activated as you drive down the road.

Tchetek · Feb 6, 2020

Sure see a lot of holiday trailers waging around their f150 while heading down hwy 2 in the summer. Roads are usually not great to and from the sled trips.

The F150 might get you there but you might wear holes in your steering wheel with your death grip.

Also plan to fuel up in entwistle, Edson, Hinton, jasper on each way of travel.

Tchetek · Feb 6, 2020

gdhillon said:
I’m interested to here the opinions of buying them with heaters etc and putting your on plumbing in... (technically not jacking the thread ballz did originally ask this as well) lol

Well it is possible. I could do a thread on a trailer build but my time is likely better spent working in the trailer finishing the project.

I don’t think I saved any money! Had big dreams. And now working on the home stretch. Turning on the furnace for the first time was a game changer!

Also tough to do the big project when you wanna ride in your spare time. You end up transferring materials and tool into the trailer. Then work a bit. Then Wanna ride so take all the tools and stuff out of the trailer. Load toys. Have some fun. Unload toys. Then repeat over and over.

catalac · Feb 8, 2020

I don’t worry about 1/2 tons most are well within reasonable capacity when hauling holiday trailers, I worry about rv salesman that looks up tow rating for a minivan, ranger, Suzuki suv etc and says look here you can tow 6000lbs you are good.

Bikeswithtrax · Feb 8, 2020

Tchetek said:
Sure see a lot of holiday trailers waging around their f150 while heading down hwy 2 in the summer. Roads are usually not great to and from the sled trips.

The F150 might get you there but you might wear holes in your steering wheel with your death grip.

Also plan to fuel up in entwistle, Edson, Hinton, jasper on each way of travel.

I get 400 kms per tank easily towing my enclosed two place trailer with my Ram 1500 and hemi gas engine. Maybe sell the ford and buy a Ram if you only get 150 kms per tank.

Dawizman · Feb 9, 2020

Bikeswithtrax said:
I get 400 kms per tank easily towing my enclosed two place trailer with my Ram 1500 and hemi gas engine. Maybe sell the ford and buy a Ram if you only get 150 kms per tank.

Ya but you gotta got at least 140 in your f one fiddy platty.

gdhillon · Feb 9, 2020

Dawizman said:
Ya but you gotta got at least 140 in your f one fiddy platty.

I hear once you hit 150 the redbull bandana dangling in the rear view starts to flow with the wind and help with cornering...iirc a guy named Kyle told me this

Tchetek · Feb 9, 2020

Bikeswithtrax said:
I get 400 kms per tank easily towing my enclosed two place trailer with my Ram 1500 and hemi gas engine. Maybe sell the ford and buy a Ram if you only get 150 kms per tank.

I don’t have a ford or a half tone.

Also a 26’ trailer that’s set up with all the luxuries is a lot bigger and heavier than a 2 place!

My buddy sent me this pic from his trip to mcbride on Friday. Sure hope he is pulling a trailer!

Cdnfireman · Feb 9, 2020

Should have bought a cummINGS. No mater what your GM or ford gets, a cummINGS will get at least double, maybe triple the mileage.

pfi572 · Feb 9, 2020

Cdnfireman said:
Should have bought a cummINGS. No mater what your GM or ford gets, a cummINGS will get at least double, maybe triple the mileage.

Well Duh

Director · Feb 9, 2020

I have a 20’ Trails West V-Nose with heater, shelves, genny and lots of tools. We can haul 3 sleds in it.
6.2l so power won’t be an issue. What caught me with it behind my 5.0l 1/2 ton was a X-wind or those sets of bumps in the highway that bounce you around. It could be a handful then.
Behind my 1 ton we hardly know it’s back there.
Trails West sit really high too so catches the wknd.
Lower trailer and sway bars will help.

It’s going to buck the truck pretty good. Be worth seeing if you can test “pull” a trailer.

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