I have a 2001 Ford 5.4 Supercrew 1/2 ton pickup with a 175,000 miles. I use it to pull a 24 ft steel framed trailer. It has brakes on one axle. I use a good Tekonsha Trailer Brake Controller which is a pretty good brand. The trailer, tools, 6k generator, small air compressor, charger, 2 five gal fuel jugs, and my Nova in it and plus 2 big 'ol boys weighs about 8800 pounds. Add that to around 5 thousand for the truck. The truck does OK on flat ground. Will stay in overdrive most of the time, but if you hit any kind of hill it shifts down. I have a very good Equalizer brand hitch which keeps the trailer pretty well in control. But I still feel it when the trucks go by. Not bad, but if you have a crosswind and a semi passes it gets a little hairy once in a while if you are not on top of it.
It gets up to speed OK. It will keep it at 70 if you want except for long hills. Then it starts dragging down. Short hills no problem. Gets about 6 MPG when pulling. Sometimes 8 if real flat land. The one thing it does not do well is stop. There is just not enough truck there. That is the first thing I would ask before buying this 1/2 ton truck. My f150 does not have double real wheels also. I keep good tires on it, but you never know when you are going to have a blowout. I have had trailer blowouts already and no problem there, but I am scared about blowing a front or real truck tire. Also driving while watching way out there is stressful. I am tired when I get to the track and the furthest I have towed is Tulsa or Mo-Kan. Let me tell you going up I-540 in the Boston mountains is hard for the truck. It made it OK, but struggled at times.
I have to pull with this because I have not got the money to buy a larger truck, but do not want you to make a mistake. Do what you want, but I suggest you look for a dually with a larger motor or a motorhome.
(And yes I know it is overloaded)
