hello everybody, I just bought a 98 F150 sc 5 speed manual to tow a travel trailor. I looked online for weeks to find a manual figuring a clutch would be cheaper to replace than a transmission in a mid 100,000 mile vehicle that was in my price range. I downloaded the owner's manual online and it says for my truck it can only tow 3000lbs, where the automatic says 6600. I am assuming since the only difference between the trucks is the transmission, that is the weak point lowering my rating. My travel trailor is right at 3000 lbs. With the gear, my family, water in the trailor tanks I am sure I will be well over 4000lbs. I am a relatively skilled driver and I don't ride the clutch. If I take it easy what is the risks? Any 5 speed manual owners have any heavy towing stories?

 

Most importantly, welcome to FTE! Good to have you aboard.

Now, is your truck a 4.2L v6? or a 4.6L v8? and also what is the gear ratio?

A lot of people will tell you that the transmission is the problem, but there are an equal number of people who think the clutch is the weak point. Personally, I have never had a problem with mine. And I have never found anything that I didn't feel comfortable pulling with it. I live on a farm and beat the crap out of my truck on a regular basis. I have the V6 and the most I have towed in short distances( under 40 miles) is about 10,000lbs. However, the heaviest trailer I have towed any real distance is 4,000 lbs and I never really had any problems with it.

I think as long as you know how to drive a stick, and you have a 3.55 rear end or lower, you will be fine.

 

it is 4.6 and I am not sure of the gear ratio. I will have to go out and look. The rpms were 2200 at 65 in overdrive on the way home if that helps. For the heck of it I downloaded the owners manual for a 2000 f250, either the 5.4 or 6.8 with the manual and any gear ratio can pull 10,000lbs. I wish they put that transmission in my truck. I looked through the previous 14 pages in this forum for this same topic and didn't see it. I am a little surprised there wasn't some discussion on how to upgrade, better clutch or transmission. I am going to try hooking up the trailor this weekend so I'll see how it does.

 

Sounds like a 3.55 ratio. Honestly, I think you will be fine pulling it. Especially with that V8. Just take it easy and don't be in a hurry.