I have a 2008 SuperCab with a 4.6L and 3.73 gears. I want to upgrade this truck in order to be able to safely tow around 7500-7900 lbs. Any suggestions?

 

It's also a 4X4

 

I've towed that much before with my 4.6, not sure how safe it was, but it felt stable and I had no issues. Best things you could do would be get a weight distributing hitch, and if you're looking for a little more go, get an Edge and swap your fan out for some E fans. The gotts mod helps a little

 

If your trailer is not equipped with brakes do that first. Stopping alot of weight has always been more of an issue than getting it moving for me.

 

That is definatly going to happen with the brakes

 

Was there a tow package offered with the 4.6? Do you have a trasmission cooler mounted in front of the radiator? Is there a 7 pin connector on the back bumper for breaks? The rims and tires also have to be rated for that weight not to mention the rear axle. Just some things to consider. There is a towing forum on this site that you might find interesting.

 

There is a tow package for the 4.6 At least you've got 3.73s, I'm working with 3.55s but it does the job

 

You might want to consider a hand held tuner with custom tunes. Get one that will allow you to measure and see different temps, like your trans temp.
You might want to look into an air bag system, or an add-a-leaf, to help you control the sag of your truck with the trailer attached.
The other guys have given you some good advice too with the dist. hitch and brakes.

 

So you're looking at about 800-1200 pounds tongue weight. That should be fine, shocks should still be in good shape. Get a good trailer brake controller dynamic or proportional not time-based. Inflate your rear tires to near or at the sidewall max to carry the load without heating and to provide more lateral stability. If the truck squats too much, don't reduce the tongue weight but rather add either a leaf or air bag helper springs.

To little tongue weight can cause some pretty wild trailer sway at speed.

 

Safely and comfortably are relative terms. Legal limits are not.

Check your door sticker and make sure you can LEGALLY tow that amount without exceeding either the GVWR (Gross Vehicle Weight Rating) and/or GCWR (Gross Combined Weight Rating).

Exceed either one and you're illegal. Not a problem until you are involved in accident (regardless of who is at fault). If (heaven forbid) someone is injured, a good lawyer will eat your lunch for negligence (or even gross negligence).

If you are not planning on exceeding the legal limits, then a custom tow tune, TBC, and a WDH would be great additions.

 

Most trucks I've looked at don't show a CGVW, generally 1 ton trucks and under. As long as your axle weights are good on truck and trailer. Manufacturers post 'Towing capacity' but it doesn't seem to have a legal bearing and it seems to deal more with an acceleration comfort profile. (4.11 axle higher towing than 3.88)

Legal/DOT just wants to see all the numbers in the green.

 

You're correct on the sticker for 1 ton and less. For our F150s GCW (Gross Combined Weight) or GCWR (Gross Combined Weight Rating) can be found at: https://www.fleet.ford.com/showroom/...ng/default.asp

My understanding is the sticker I'm referring to is the DOT sticker. Exceed those numbers are you are towing illegally.

Here's a good reference (several others are also available on the 'net): Determining Vehicle Towing Capacity & Trailer Weight | Hitch Info

 

I agree that's a good guideline, heavy hauling is another skill altogether. But again, they toss out a little common sense of balance. Additional weight of 4x4 hardware will add a little stability when moving a heavier trailer so in theory should increase the combined weight.

Ranger claims to be able to tug 6000 pounds and the F150 11k Though it doesn't say 11k combined that could almost be implied save the max cargo cap is over 1500 pounds so 1000/10,000 would be a reasonable trailer rating.

I'd say on porter4life69, as long as he's got good tires, should be good to go.