Hi! I have an 04' F250 crew cab, lariat pkg., 4x4 short bed. I'm currently pulling a 3 horse sundowner gn w/ 4 ft. shortwall. I want to trade up for a new trailer w/ LQ.I'm looking at an 08' Bison Stratus, it's alum. frame and skin. has 10 ft. LQ and it is a 3 horse. The empty weight is 7764# and the GVWR is 16,800# It has a tapered nose so hopefully I won't bust a window..... can my truck handle this trailer? I usually carry 2 horses, 1100# each.
Thanks!!

Welcome to the forum ..

Your truck will pull it... But I have my doubts about it carrying the new trailer. If the trailer places 25% of its weight on the hitch you'll have 4,100 pounds on the truck. While you usually carry only two large horses... a third space is always available. And the LQ always adds more weight, the water tanks and "personal stuff" in the LQ add even more. The stack of firewood in the truck bed might be the straw that breaks the truck.
Recheck the loaded hitch weight of the new trailer against your truck's payload. Remember the Lariat/crew package reduces the standard payload.

I see many folks stepping up to a dually for LQ trailers for the stability and weight capability.

boy, those salesmen certainly don't tell you all this stuff! I've had this truck for 4 years now and the salesmen knew that I was getting this truck as a farm truck and that I would be doing a lot of hauling. It's my daily driver too, I can't see doing carpool and the grocery and other errands in a dually. Would the air springs/suspension that I've read about help me out any? I love my truck and I certainly don't want to ruin it. This is the first vehicle that I've owned that I don't want to trade!!!

Luv2tallyho ... ( I like that name... you're a hunter?)

In defense of the salesman... the truck has served you well for 4 years. Did you tell them you wanted to eventually tow a big honk'n 16,000 pound+ trailer?

Anyway ... The 25% figure is only a guess at the hitch weight. Get the trailer dealer to get you a figure from a comparable trailer. Then check against your truck's ratings. Look at the door frame. Ford displays the gross axle weight ratings there. You could load up your truck like you were going on a trip and drive to a scale. Then you could get the actual axle weights and see how much more you can carry.

I have my prejudices against helper springs. A lot of people use them, But .... They don't do anything for the tires, axles, wheels, and such. A blown tire is still a major issue.

I've also got a f250/psd 6.0/crew/short bed/4x4 and bought a LQ Trailet 3 horse gn 5' short wall also never haul a 3rd horse. Pulled it a couple of times thus far and truck was definately squatting in the back and you knew it was back there.

I added Timbren's to my truck and will adjust the neck as needed. I'll pull it on the weekend to see how the set up works.

This is the biggest trailer I'll own so I'm hoping this truck handles it as it also is my daily driver.

I have a friend that has a huge platinum coach he pulls with a 2500/GMC diesel with air bags...it's a stretch but it works.

My 2cents - Adding airbags or helper springs does not help the frame/axles/tranny/tires or anything along the way. The airbags and helper springs help with how the truck handles. I put airbags on my F-350 to keep it from sagging with my camp trailer. I did it to keep my truck level and to help with towing in the mountains (keeping body roll down).

If you are adding any type of helper spring thinking you are changing the payload, you are way wrong. I did it for safety and gas mileage. A truck with it's nose in the air will get worse mileage than one that is level.

Just my 2cents.

Bru