Wutz up guys?? Haven't been here in a while. I sold my Duramax a while back (tired of working on it

Anyways. I just picked up a 99 Supercab F150 with the 4.6L automatic and power options. Nice truck to be honest. The folks were moving to Michigan and let me have it for $1000!! 160k miles.

I was wondering if I could upgrade from my pop-up camper and tow a camper trailer with this thing? I see that it has the receiver hitch and 7 pin plug, brake controller, etc.

I have been a diesel man for so long I wanted to check with you guys first to see if its too hard on the 150's pulling things like that.

I haven't checked the transmission for a cooler yet to see if it has a "full tow package" but I was surprised that this is the only Ford truck I have ever owned that was POSI TRAC!!! Or limited slip.....whatever. I have owned at least 5 Fords and 3 were diesel and all of them had open rears until this one......(sorry that got me a little excited!!) Being 2wd, it might not be half bad when the need to go off road comes up.

Either way, let me know what you think as far as the towing......I will be pulling some mountains so I don't want to be overheating on the side of the road or anything from the load. I saw the weight ratings, but I would rather hear from someone with expirence on these bad boys.

Thanks.

 

I can't speak personally for the 4.6 as I have always had a 5.4 in my Fords. That being said in similar threads most seem to comment that the truck will struggle to pull the load before you would really max out your weight. Not as much of a concern on flat ground obviously but getting up to speed or climbing a hill in the slow lane will be in your future.

 

Thats cool. I figured if I went with a feather lite or something she might be fine. It seems like its got great power, I pulled my scrap trailer to the scrap yard today with about 1 ton on it and it felt like it wasn't even back there til you had to stop the thing. I guess we'll see. I will try to stay away from the 30 footers

 

I'm a licensed builder, and until last summer, I used a '99 super cab, 4.6 auto, to pull a 14 ft. cargo/tool & equipment trailer. It weighed around 5000 loaded. Try to not use OD, don't be in a hurry. Never had over heating issues.

MPG is another story. Both the 4.6 & 5.4 are underpowered if you approach max towing weight limits. I had to nearly mat the gas to maintain highway speeds, and once in a while actually pass someone. Averaged around 9 MPG.

Current truck ( we still have the '99/14 ft. trailer) is an '05 F-250 SD, 5.4 auto. Same exact problems, just on a larger scale. 24 ft. cargo/equipment trailer, about 7500 lbs loaded. Still way under powered for a near max load. MPG 8-9.

Aside from one truck being a half ton, and driving like a full size car, and the other truck being a three quarter ton ( 9200 GVWR ), and actually driving/feeling like a truck, the difference from the 4.6 to the 5.4 isn't that big a deal ( unless the load is light ). They are both small V-8's, and act like it.

Dave

 

I guess I will have to get used to it. My duramax was a monster when it came to pulling, but Chevy (used to be my fav) can't seem to build the truck worth a crap. Everything around the motor and transmission falls apart.

Why can't I have an F-350 with an Allison automatic and a cummins diesel

 

You took a big jump backward from the power point of view.
The 4.6L in terms you may be better aquinted with is only 262 cu/in so can't build near the torque of a diesel.
Pay attention to your max Gross Combined Weight rating.
Even approching it, the truck will be slow on hills and pushing a lot of air with a hard trailer.
You made a nice buy if there is nothing wrong with the truck.
Good luck.

 

Thanks for all the replies guys. I will try to keep my camper down to size so to speak and minimize the weight to help with the mountains and long hauls.

On a side note, there is nothing wrong with the truck. I have enjoyed driving it. The only issue was cosmetic. The lady's son cut the corner too sharp in their field and caught the fence causing a big cave in on the bed side. I just picked up a nice used bed for $130 so I can't complain. It included the lights and tailgate so pretty good deal if you ask me.

Thanks.

 

It's actually a 281, just so you know.

 

i have a 99 150 with 4.6 4x4 it pulls our small 2000 lbs trailer around with no problems mostly flat land an a few hills. we tried pulling our TT 7,000lbs for a short distance and it was a dog starting from 0 to 25. i also have an 2000 expedition with a 5.4 4x4 it pulls the small trailer with no problems and handles the TT a little better but srugles on hill and strong head winds to run at 55. I also hav a 2000 excursion V10 2wd and have no problems pullin up to 10000lb trailers with it in any situations. So my best recomendation is go to the owner manual and see the weight for a trailer and subtract about 1500lbs and you should be ok... you will probally be in the neighborhood of 4000lb trailer. On 150 we needed to replace our Radiator at 139000 mile so good basic maintenance and go through it and sholuld be good to go

 

This might be a late chime in, but I have a '99 F-150 2wd with the 4.6 engine, and a buddy and I towed a car trailer across the US (Los Angeles, CA to Rochester, NY) and back with 160k+ miles on the the truck and no issues. Yes, it was slow, yes, it ate gas, but we left the OD off and the trip went smooth. Trans fluid didn't even heat up (no burnt smells, etc. We did check along the trip to be sure)

 

tuske427

You pretty much nailed the whole deal. That was my experience exactly, and actually still is, even though I now use a F250 Super Duty, 5.4. Same issues, but the truck is heavier to begin with, and the 5.4 isn't that much of an upgrade. Still have the 4.6 truck as a back up though.

Dave