I was hoping to get some help on figuring out what would be a good size/weight travel trailer for my truck. Let's assume I won't be going over a mountain range.

Thanks,

F10GNX87484
F10=F100 2WD pickup
G=302 2bbl engine

WB 133= 133" wheelbase
Color S= Bright Dark Blue Metallic
Model F105=F100 2WD pickup w/ 5100 lb GVW
Trim HB4= (HB) Blue vinyl and blue cloth (4) styleside pickup bed
Trans G= Automatic transmission
Axle 13J= (13) Ford non-locking 9" 3.00 ratio 3600 lb capacity (J) w/ power steering
GVW 5100= 5100 lb gross vehicle weight
1977= 1977 model year
DSO 22=Charlotte District Sales Office

 

Not much considering the 302 and 3.00 gear ratio.

Josh

 

So, any thoughts as to what "not much" might look like or is this the only info you have? If that's it, thanks?

 

Hi-I grew up around trailers, motorhomes, slide-in campers and continue to restore them as a hobby. In my opinion.....the F100 w/302 and 3.00 rear axle is pretty limited in regard to towing capacity. You mentioned that you would not be going over any mountain ranges so I am assuming flat land travel. The F100 is basically a car suspension with similar components. The brakes, cooling, frame/suspension and electrical are not equipped, like a F250 camper special, so the towing is limited. The axle ratio and engine just dont have enough beef to move much. You could beef up the suspension/shocks a little to help sag and also use a weight distribution hitch set-up to distribute the weight evenly between the 4 wheels. You also must use electric trailer brakes with a controller unit to properly stop the trailer as well as control/reduce the sway during cross winds or large semi trucks passing by. If you did all of this and beefed up the suspension, I would limit it to maybe 2000# .

 

Limited, you might go to 3:25 or 3:50 gears ,but that trucks not very heavy . So you might get to much weight behind it causing swaying and braking problems.

 

A tent..

 

When I was a kid our neighbor towed a 33' travel trailer with a 429 powered LTD station wagon. Yes it had fake wood on the sides! My dad and I watched her yes, her, pass everything on the road one time even up the hills. Crazy!

Depending on the size of your tires 3.00 gears may not be that bad but 3.54 or 3.73 would be better. Is the 302 stock? Some mods may help. Deffinently add a tranny cooler. I would say 3500 is about all I would tow. Nothing like a travel trailer tho. Lots of frontal area. Popup camper or boat would be ok. Trailer brakes are a must!

 

Had a 73 F100 with the 302/3 on the tree/3.50:1 9" rear. Towed an 18' tandem travel trailer that weighed about 4000# and it didn't set any speed records but worked out reasonably well. Cruised at a respectable 65 on the freeway from N WI down to Austin TX for the Roundup with no problems. Don't remember the exact number, but remember that the gas mileage was fairly respectable also.

 

3.0 gears...are those stock?!

 

My 74 F100 had 3.00 gears stock. It's not far fetched to say that likely the most common F100 gear ratio

Josh

 

I bought my truck and the Guy I bought it from said it had 500hp and could pull the front wheels off the ground with 38" tires....I checked the gear ratio when I got the truck by doing the driveline marking and tire mark and rotate trick and it came out at 3.0...first off the guy definitely lied to me because the motor was stock and I don't know anything with 3.0 gears that will wheelie...then I was curious because I thought that these trucks came with 3.50 or 3:73 stock

 

Thanks for all the help, there has been some modifications to the suspension air levelers in the rear? there is a valve mounted in the rear bumper that you can ajust the rear level with ( i am not mechanical) and there is a transmission cooling system and there is a braking system for trailers installed. The engine was a created motor from ford and it is a 302 with 60k miles.( is there much variance in 302 motors?) I am going to be able to talk to the previous owners travel trailer provider. I have to say, you guys are talking way over my head. A lot to learn.

Thanks,

 

Agree as several have posted, 2000 lb maybe 3000 would be a good guide as its equipped now. To get more capacity, it needs lower gearing (higher numerical rear end ratio) to improve pulling power. One benchmark posted above is 4000 # with 3.5_ ratio. With 4.10 maybe 5000#. Good trailer brakes and a class 3 or better load leveling hitch would be important if running the higher weights.

The air ride suspension helps but too much weight on the hitch without load leveling will be hard on the rear end and frame and make it light on the front.