1991 Ford F150
302/5.0 engine
2WD/E4OD A/T


As time passes, my finances will improve and along with other upgrades, I want to reasonably increase my payload/towing capabilities from what I have now. Currently, I have the stock Class IV bumper rated at 8,000 lbs. From all you towing experts, I'd like to know any/all upgrades that might increase my towing capacity. Thanks for any help.

 

Nothing will increase payload. It is what it is. There are mods you can do to make the ride better. Shocks, airbags, helper springs and the like.

 

What he^ said. You cant increase capacity.

 

remove radiator cap.. replace everything else... then replace the radiator cap..


first limit is the Frame... then engine/transmission/final drive


that is why there are F 250, F 350, F 450, F 550..... etc.

 

Yes there are finite limits on what each series of truck can tow but within that series(F150 in this case) there is a range of towing capacities based on the engine, trans, and axle ratio. The auto transmissions get higher ratings compared to manuals and we're gonna assume for now you're not gonna change the engine, but given that there is a significant difference between the official tow ratings and the real world towing performance as you progress through the available axle ratios from 3.08 to 4.10. This you can change and get a little or a lot higher towing capacity depending what ratio you are starting out with. Then adding sway bars, air bags or overload springs, and stiffer tires will all help improve control with the load.

 

I dont think axle ratio has anything to do with towing capacity, yes different ratios will make put the engine in a different RPM band which can be better for towing but there is no capacity change between gear ratios that I know of. Actually the numerically higher you go with gear ratio the weaker the ring gear becomes because it gets smaller in physical size.

 

Take the body off the 150 and put it on 250 frame....increased capacity.

 

This question comes up a lot and I think what everyone is saying is you might be better off to save your money and instead of putting it towards parts which may not really get you to where you want to be, put it towards a 250.

As suggested several times, the capacity can't be changed. Ride quality and handling while towing maybe.

You didn't say what you have in mind in terms of the weight you want to tow.

Steve

 

Well that is where you would be wrong.

A 5.0/auto F150 of this vintage has the following tow ratings based on the axle ratio. This info is pulled right from the owners manual under the trailer towing section. Trailer frontal area not to exceed 60sq ft. For the OP GCWR is the ready to travel weight of truck and trailer and all passengers combined and it is the number than cannot be exceeded, and trailer weight has a range because the loaded truck can range in weight and it also depends what body style and options the truck has, for example a reg cab 2wd can be as light as about 4000lbs but an ext cab 4x4 can be over 5k.

Gear ratio GCWR Trailer Weight
3.08 9000lbs 2000-5000lbs
3.55 11.5klbs 3500-7700lbs
4.10 12.5klbs 3500-8000lbs

 

Don't confuse towing capacity with cargo capacity. His truck is rated to carry only so much cargo. Air bags, springs, shocks, etc., can improve load handling characteristics, but won't change cargo capacity. Changing gear ratios or even engines can improve towing capability (capacity, if you will) but won't improve maximum cargo capacity (which includes tongue weight).

 

Yes, but if, for example he changes the gear ratio to increase maximum trailer weight towing ability, the tongue weight is going to increase (as a percentage of trailer gross weight), since the truck's cargo capacity hasn't changed he's likely to exceed maximum axle capacity and maximum truck cargo capacity.
Our trucks already run out of cargo capacity long before they run out of towing ability.

 

Ford seem to disagree with you

Towing Capacity For 1990 F350 7.3 Diesel - Diesel Forum - TheDieselStop.com

 

O.P.'s initial post stated "I want to reasonably increase my payload/towing capabilities". Being able to pull more is not the same thing as being able to carry a heavier load, though they are related.

Then his post went on to say " I'd like to know any/all upgrades that might increase my towing capacity."

We may be assuming too much. It might be helpful to get a better handle on what he intends to do with his truck. Just my thought.

Steve

 

No matter what... throwing $ at a vehicle that old may not be the best way to increase his ability to increase the "LEGAL" towing ability. I too say, save the money to replace the vehicle to buy one that already has that ability.

 

A weight distribution hitch can help by moving some of the load from the truck backwards to the trailer axles, as much as 15-20%. Thus a tongue weight of 1000 pounds might put only 800-850 pounds actual load on the truck.