[bittentoo]

JWheaton,

There is a common theme here and you are going to hear it again from me. You can have to little power, but can't have to much!

If you are pulling an open trailer just about any of the SUV's or half ton trucks will do fine. But when you pull an enclosed trailer, it is not the weight that hurts you, it is the wind resistance that kills you.

If you are planning on pulling an enclosed trailer very far at all, you need a diesel. They get better milage loaded and unloaded vs a gas powered vehicle. Set the cruise control on 70 and forget it!

I bought new a 99 Super Duty Crew Cab (family of 4) 4X4 Powerstroke Diesel. Best and most versatile vehicle that I have ever owned. I use it as a daily driver (135000 miles on it now), pull a 29' 5th wheel trailer, 19' fiberglass boat, (sometimes at the same time) and have pulled a 20' enclosed trailer several times.
Have pulled the 5th wheel to Tennessee, Florida and Arkansas with no problems. The new diesel trucks ride and drive great. They aren't like the old rough riding 3/4 ton trucks of the past. If you have the power to pull comfortly, you will use the trailer more often, if you struggle to pull your trailer, it will sit at home and you wasted your money on a a nice enclosed trailer and an expensive SUV.

One more note, Just bought the wife an Eddie Bauer Expedition with the 5.4. Runs great, but I would not want to pull an enclosed trailer very far with it, just doesn't have enough grunt to fight the wind resistance.

Sorry that I got so long winded, but have seen to many people make the mistake of trying to pull with under powered vehicles and then not use the items.

OK, I'll shut up now.........