Ok. Heres the story

Trailer - '93 4 star 2h slant w/LQ xwide 28ft 14k lb - not tapered front

new truck - '05 F250 SD crew 4x4 short box at 6.75ft

i can not find anything in regards to the length between the cab and the rear axle. I can't measure it since the truck is not here nor can i play with it because the jack is too short on the trailer.

Tomorrow i have the appointment for the goose hitch to be installed and the jack replaced on the trailer. We are hauling the trailer up with the old truck and the new one is following. I am willing to do what ever it takes to make these two work (airbags, etc.,) but i need to be prepared for whatever the hitch shop says like I was expecting it. so does anybody know how far back the hitch can be set on this ford? Am i going to need extra suspension?

I have seen the short bed fords haul gooseneck trailers but never thought to sneak up and check out the hitch setup. does any one have any experience with this set up?

My family will KILL me if i bought a truck that doesn't work for the trailer.

Ford, starting in the 99 model stretched the rear leaf springs 3 inches. This makes a nice empty ride but gives you more wheel travel thus more lean and squat with a trailer. I recommend SuperSprings which we sell alot of for new trucks. It is automatic for keeping your loaded truck level and will improve the handling of the truck empty as it works like a torsion stabilizer. My article http://mrtruck.net/springs.htm

For a short bed truck I like the Popup shortbed extension at http://mrtruck.net/popup.htm

You will want the gooseneck ball at least 2 inches infront of your rear axle to give you good steering control.

Ok. Well the trailer and truck were dropped off and they are going to see what will work. In regards to the Popup extension - I understand how it may increase the angle to which you can get the truck but in the pictures it showed a 90 degree when they are at 90, this should be the apex of the curve an it is only the distance of ball to cab - the extention at that point has know bearing. If this is possible then there is no need for a extender. Right? Or is my physics totally messed up?

I am also considering a new landing jack - any suggestions as to what brand and where to find them?
Thanks

Now that you have the truck and trailer. Mark in your bed where you think the ball will go. Then back up at 90 degrees to your trailer and see how close to the cab you are.

I have a short box F150 with a 5.4litre engine, just bought this past November. I am now looking to get into a 3H g/n with LQ. While not ideal, I am told the 150 can pull this until I can afford to upgrade the truck, but am wondering what I do to get the 5th wheel to work with the short box?? Someone said to get a tilt hitch put on the g/n but this is all new to me as I only ever had a b/p trailer before. Help!! Do you think I am okay to haul 14,000 lb or so?

What? who told you your F150 will tow 14,000#'s. Or did you mean F350?

A salesman at Ford told me it would kill the truck long term, but it is a 3 year lease, so I will be turning it in anyway in 2 1/2 years so not to worry, and that I wouldn't be passing anything on the highway but the 5.4 l engine is not much smaller than the 6.0 litre of an F250, which WOULD haul the trailer according to manuf. specs, so he felt it would do the job, even though it wouldn't be ideal.

Another question - how much room is needed from the back of the cab of the truck (2007 F150 K.R. Crewcab) to the king pin settings?

Carol, whoever this car salesman is, stay away from him. The 6.0L in the F250 is a diesel, not comparing oranges to oranges. Do not tow 14,000 #'s with the F150. It's rated by Ford closer to 9000#'s. And then with horses deduct another 20%. Do not take advice from a car salesman, he was selling cell phones last week. If you can deal with the fleet department, they stay around longer and have more knowledge.

Does your horse trailer have a 5th wheel hitch or gooseneck. The Ford SuperCrew with 5.5' bed is hard to match to a bed hitch type trailer without extensions, sometime more than one.

quote:

Originally posted by Carol:
I have a short box F150 with a 5.4litre engine, just bought this past November. I am now looking to get into a 3H g/n with LQ. While not ideal, I am told the 150 can pull this until I can afford to upgrade the truck, but am wondering what I do to get the 5th wheel to work with the short box?? Someone said to get a tilt hitch put on the g/n but this is all new to me as I only ever had a b/p trailer before. Help!! Do you think I am okay to haul 14,000 lb or so?

I'll jump into this little puddle too. Without even looking at Ford's 1500 specifications, I suggest you have this salesman show you the towing guide for your vehicle. The can of worms you're about to open is very unpleasant.

With a 14,000 lbs trailer you will:
Be over the max GCVWR.
The hitch weight will overload the rear axle, springs, tires, wheels, tires, frame, etc.
The trailer weight will make your truck drive like it's dragging an anchor. (Which it has)
Your transmission will fail during the heat of the summer, and you're a hundred miles from anywhere.
The leasing company may wack you with significant charges for installing a hitch in the bed of the truck when you turn it back. (I would not pay much for a dinky 1/2 ton truck with a GN hitch in it. The hitch just screams abuse and overload.)
Do you need any more reasons to reconsider this endeavor??