We recently purchased a 2 H slant bumper pull with a dressing room.  The weight is 3220 and the GVWR for the trailer is 7000.  The trailer is 11' long and in great shape.  We pulled it home with our F150 and no problem. 

However, we are wondering if the trailer/truck combination is safe when we put two average size quarter horses in the trailer along with tack?  The truck is a 2001 F 150 4 x 4 and the following information is right off the window sticker when we bought it:  5.4L V8; 6750# GVWR; Trailer towing group, class III; 3.55 ratio limited slip axle.

We have taken really good care of the truck and it has never pulled anything until now.  We are not hauling the horses until early June so if this truck isn't safe with this trailer we would have time to find another truck.

So, experts, is this a safe truck/trailer combination?  If not what should we be looking for in a truck?  We were hoping to stay with a half ton or a heavy half and it is not in the budget to get a brand new truck.

Thanks.

Is this an automatic, and if so, does it have the trailer towing package, most notably the transmission oil cooler and enough suspension on the rear...brake controller? (ooops, sorry, see in your post... yes) Have you tried loading the horses and taking a test drive?  Do you pull mountains or will you be pulling in flat country?

Changing your truck's fluids to synthetics will lower its opperating temperatures and increase the mechanical longevity of each system. This would include the transmission, engine, both axles, and the transfer case.

In addition, I would suggest that you have the radiator professionally flushed and new anti freeze installed. If your truck has mileage of over 50K, you might want to consider replacing the rear shocks. It would also be a good time to check the rear tires' load rating and condition. The tongue weight of the trailer will add much more weight to the rear suspension and tires. You might want to consider an uprated rear set of tires.

Your truck is quite suitable to pull that trailer and load. A little preventative maintenance will go a long way in ensuring its reliability.

Gard, what synthetic fluids do you recommend

There are many available. Not every brand has a full range of fluids for every application. Royal Purple is supposed to be good, but isn't always available. Pennzoil and Valvoline have excellent reputations. Shell Rotella synthetic has many followers.

My favourites are Mobile One and Amsoil. In all of my non diesel motors, I use Mobil One EP, and in all my vehicle transmissions, Mobile One ATF. I can't always find Mobile One diesel oil, and substitute it with either Amsoil or Rotella. I also use Mobile One ATF in my power steering pumps.

In my various farm hydrostatic tractor transmissions, I use Amsoil hydraulic fluid. I use Valvoline synthetic grease for all of those applications.

Several years ago, I read of the controversy of Castrol synthetic being charged with false  advertising of their oil as being a true synthetic, when it was mixed with dino fluids. I don't know how that worked out, but I don't use their products. 

I use synthetics for every available application I can muster. I even use it in my air compressors, lawn equipement, and my wife's carry on luggage wheel axles.

Without synthetic lubricants, we would not enjoy the aircraft we have available today. Using that technology for every day applications, has enabled many to enjoy much more relaibility and performance from their machinery.

Yes, what makes you think you need a bigger truck? Using a weight distribution hitch may be all that you need along with the brake controller.

Do you have a crew cab pickup?

I have had 4, F150s (2000; 2002; 2004; 2006) and hauled several different sized BPs and now have a 3H slant, steel GN (4' short wall) with a 2006 F150, extended cab, 4x4 with 6.75' bed. 5.4 l; automatic. I don't haul in "mountains" but do some hills.

As gard suggests, be sure to upgrade the tires on the tow vehicle. You may need to replace shocks due to the age of the truck.

Even if the trailer is 7000 pounds loaded (which I doubt with 2 QH and tack), then you are carrying 700 - 1400 pounds of the trailer (10-20%) on the truck. The truck weighs around 5000-5100 pounds (unless you have a crew cab) with 1 adult driver and full tank of fuel which would put you at 6500 pounds GVWR on the truck and under the specifications.  If you load up the bed of the truck, you decrease your towing capacity.

Be sure your setup is level WHEN LOADED. If the trailer is bringing the back of the truck down more than 3 inches or so, then it's probably time to replace shocks.