F150 Towing Question
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F150 Towing Question
I found a nice 2004 F150 Lariat, 5.4L V8 but I don't know the axle ratio so I can't determine exactly what the towing capacity is until i hear from the dealer.
I want to get a travel trailer (2015 Keystone Passport 31RE) that's 6,500 lbs./715 hitch. Including 2 people and all our stuff, add another 1,000 lbs. I'll be using a WDH and sway control also.
We travel cross-country 2x a year.
I read that the F150 can tow around 9,500 lbs. Am in okay with a trailer this size with this truck?
Thanks for your help.
I want to get a travel trailer (2015 Keystone Passport 31RE) that's 6,500 lbs./715 hitch. Including 2 people and all our stuff, add another 1,000 lbs. I'll be using a WDH and sway control also.
We travel cross-country 2x a year.
I read that the F150 can tow around 9,500 lbs. Am in okay with a trailer this size with this truck?
Thanks for your help.
Lead Driver
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 8,465
Likes: 725
From: Calgary Canada
LoriM, I did some towing of a smaller trailer with a pretty similar truck, a 2005 F150 5.4L. I'll be honest, even with my 5000lb (loaded weight) trailer, I found that truck struggled up hills. That's not a big deal if you aren't in any hurry, but some folks find it stressful to be getting passed by everything every time the road steepens. You'll have to let that engine get pretty high in the RPM range, but don't be afraid of that, those engines were built to rev.
As for braking, make sure the brakes on both truck and trailer are in top condition, and make sure you are using a properly adjusted trailer brake controller. I had good luck with the Tekonsha Prodigy line.
As for braking, make sure the brakes on both truck and trailer are in top condition, and make sure you are using a properly adjusted trailer brake controller. I had good luck with the Tekonsha Prodigy line.
Super Moderator
Joined: Aug 2008
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From: Frederick, MD
Look at the door cert. There is an axle code there that should help.
3L is the 3.73 limited slip rear end. Pretty common and that is probably what you have.
It will tow that load load fine with the trailer brake controller but it will eat a lot of fuel too.
I'd plan on around 6 mpg per gallon in the budget if I were you.
I see no other problems..but you are at the upper limits for the truck.
I would take the trailer GVW and then 10% of that for the proper hitch wt. Based upon what you have indicated that would be 750 lbs. Is your receiver rated for that?
3L is the 3.73 limited slip rear end. Pretty common and that is probably what you have.
It will tow that load load fine with the trailer brake controller but it will eat a lot of fuel too.
I'd plan on around 6 mpg per gallon in the budget if I were you.
I see no other problems..but you are at the upper limits for the truck.
I would take the trailer GVW and then 10% of that for the proper hitch wt. Based upon what you have indicated that would be 750 lbs. Is your receiver rated for that?
Hotshot
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 10,060
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From: Bristol, TN.
I have towed about that weight with my 2010 F150 service truck with box and bed slide and it handled the weight fine, but it is not like towing with a larger truck and power train. I just did it from one side of town to the other when I didn't want to take the time to switch trucks. I would agree with the preceding comments.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 1,899
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From: Upstate NY
We towed a pretty heavy Sunline TT with a 2V 5.4. Yep, it did it just fine though you do tend to 'row' it up hills. Gas mileage, 7-8 and with that dinky tank, you need to be well aware of the potential distances between gas stops. Stopping - no worse then you would expect as no matter what, you still need to anticipate those red lights and sudden moves by the car driving public.
Good brakes, clean cooling system, well serviced transmission and good tires go a long way towards making a safe trips. A 3.73 final gear ratio is nice, but a 3.55 will work as long as you are aware that acceleration suffers as well as hill climb speed. Oh and an F250/V10 - same or a bit better loaded gas mileage (10-13 empty)plus no real worries about capacities with a TT
Good brakes, clean cooling system, well serviced transmission and good tires go a long way towards making a safe trips. A 3.73 final gear ratio is nice, but a 3.55 will work as long as you are aware that acceleration suffers as well as hill climb speed. Oh and an F250/V10 - same or a bit better loaded gas mileage (10-13 empty)plus no real worries about capacities with a TT
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lopezpj1
All Things Towing
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Nov 18, 2004 09:45 AM
