Replacement of my tow vehicle

[Hookup1]

Well my 2007 F-150 has made it's last 1,300 mile trip from Cape May to Islamorada. 15 years and 175,000 miles later my mechanic won't let me take her. Good advice that I didn't want to hear.

So I started the shopping process in what is probably the worst buyer market for a new vehicle. Very little to choose from and almost nothing equipped the way I needed it. New orders are 6-months out. I finally found a F-150 with 3.5 EchoBoost, 3.31 rear, 36 gallon tank, 20" tires and 11,200 lb towing capacity. A needle in a haystack. I was lucky to only pay full sticker with no additional discounts ($55,000 sticker) (lost $2,000 in discounts) and it was a good deal. I have heard of $10,000 "market adjustments" on some vehicle purchases. And Ford had some excellent financing options.

Ford is pushing electronic braking "TRAILER TOW PACKAGE $1,325.00 WITH INTEGRATED TRAILER BRAKE CONT" (in my vehicle package) and weight distributing hitches. My trailer isn't setup for either. I have never seen a boat my size equipped that way. What does everyone think?

 

[family affair]

Congratulations on the new truck. The pulling power of a 3.5 eco will be night and day better than your old truck.
I tow my Islander with an 18 f150 3.5 eco with the max tow package.
The brake controller is for travel trailer electric or boat electric over hydraulic brakes. You don't need the controller if you have surge. It can be easily added later if you ever go to an EOH system.

The hitch load capacities have been heavily debated. I won't get into the details, but short of the long - you're fine.

 

[family affair]

Most boat trailers are not designed for a weight distributing hitch. The tag on the hitch is based on the SAE towing standard that the truck was designed around. Travel trailers need the wdh for better stability with cross winds and because it is more difficult to control the tongue weight. Once a boat tongue weight it is set, it doesn't change greatly.