F150 How much can I really tow????
 

I own a 2006 F150 4x4 , 144.5 wb, 5.4 liter, 3.55 axle ratio, 17 inch wheels, with Fords trailer tow package. Ford's owners manual and literature says that I can tow a trailer up to 8300 lbs. maximum loaded trailer weight. But I am looking for "real experience" numbers. In other words, someone who has experience towing with this setup or similar. My wife and I are looking into purchasing a travel trailer and we don't want to get something that our truck will not handle adequately and comfortably. I figured that it would be better to find out now before I purchase. Anyone have any suggestions??????
Thank You All

Greetings jlsdcen2!

Your SuperCab can of course tow more, but it isn't advisable. If you were involved in an accident while towing a trailer which puts you over the GCWR of 14,000#, you may face legal issues involving liability.

TTs are a good way to camp in comfort and still have a vehicle to explore with. We enjoy ours a ton when we can get away.

Best of luck to you in your hunt for the right setup for you!

Thanks for your reply.
Do you feel that it can adequately handle 8300 lbs or is this an over rating?

8453 fully loaded with gear.
 

I have an 06 FX4 Super Crew 5.4 with 3.73 gears and I tow my travel trailer regularly into the Appalachian Mountains of Pennsylvania (very large hills in this area.) While very large hills do slow us down with the trailer hooked up the truck really does a great job overall. The biggest concern that I have is that I have an older trailer that weighs in at just over 8000 pound empty and 8453 fully loaded with water and all of my gear. The break systems on older trailers at least my need to be checked before every use. You do not want to find out that you have a broken wire on your break system the hard way. When the trailer breaks are up to par all is well with towing this kind of weight. Good luck with your trailer hunting. BTW get an equalizer hitch it make a big difference in these smaller trucks when towing.

I agree with ACcobraman - it is important to check your trailer's brakes. You should also adjust the brakes controller before you take off so you have proper trailer brake force.

8,300# is not an over-rating. If anything, I think manufacturers under-rate to protect themselves, and their customers.

I have a 04 fx4 w/5.4 3.73 and tow a 1995 30' TT it weighs 7200 empty. when i go camping here in pa I load the camper with gear, water, food and drink. plus load the bed with 2 coolers full and firewood for the week. I never weighed it in to see how much total i got it scares me.. But this little truck will go 65 mph on cruise on highway you will forget sometimes the trailer is back there. It does work the engine some up in the mountains. I was very impressed I used to tow this package with a gmc crew cab dually 4x4 w/454 I think the 5.4 would leave the jimmy in the dust. Go for it!!

I have an '06 SCrew 4x2 with 5.4L, 3.55 LS rear, 17" rims, and factory towing. I pull a 28' travel trailer with an Equal-I-Zer hitch, Ride Rite air bags, and a Prodigy brake controller. Gross weight of the whole rig, completely loaded up is 13,350# (~7600# trailer)......this is over the scale at the local grain elevator, not a guess (~5700# truck on same scale).

I have had no issues what-so-ever on the moderate terrain in IL.

I installed the air bags to help firm up the rear end and take out some squirm...something they did very nicely.

Good brakes/controller and a good anti-sway hitch are "must haves"

FWIW I've gotten 8-11mpg pulling this rig, mainly dependant on wind.

Hey guys, thanks for the input!! One question that I should have asked also; am I correct in assuming that when I tow that I should leave the OD overdrive turned off???
Thanks again.

I pull a tridem axle 14 foot bed trailer, with a 1000 gallon (imperial gallon) water tank with my 2004 5.4 4x4 ext cab. I only pull it once every two weeks a total distance of ten miles all on backroads/private roads. I have never gotten a total weight of the trailer fully loaded, but my guess is over 15,000 lbs. Truck handles it well up to 45 mph. After that speed it can get sketchy..... not enough weight on the tongue I believe, it will fish tail a bit. Just my thoughts...

All that I can offer is a word of caution. Please check my gallery pictures of my red 04 to see how easy it is to exceed the GVWR with a new series F150. So often when talking about trailer towing the only number discussed is GCWR, yet this is only one part of the whole picture.

With the 3.55 axle you will likely find you get just as good fuel economy without using OD so yes, you will likely want to lock it out.

Ford has the 145(144.5) wheelbase 4x4 w/ 5.4 and 355's rated to tow a conventional trailer of 8,400 lbs. This is from their web sight for 2008 F 150. To my knowlege the drive train should be the same as the 2006's. I towed my 28' travel trailer w/ a slide out, weight distribution hitch w/ sway bars with my former f 150's(2000 and 2002) as well as my now 2005 FX4 Scab w/373's with a tow rating of 8800 lbs. It tows fine with good off the line take off. I don't tow in overdrive.

Yep. I's turn it off to keep the transmission from searching - this causes heat, the enemy of tranny longevity. Our F-250 and F-350 manuals both say to turn off OD when towing for that reason. I haven't looked at an F-150 manual. Anyone have the straight story here?

Well you dont have to turn off OD i have heard many different opinions on this the dealership my dad talked to said you can have OD on just make sure its not searching for a gear and always downshifting and upshifting could cook the tranny do your kind of taking a risk driving with it on but as long as it flat ground it should be okay cause it shouldnt search that much

That's why I don't tow in OD. It won't stay in OD, it always downshifts back to 3rd when I tow.