so what makes a F350 with a 5.4 any different than a half ton with the same engine? I'm assuming brakes and suspension.....


My truck only shows a towing capacity of less thank 5k but I know of guys, same year with a 3/4 ton and a 5.4 pulling 8k - I understand that's not legal, but it seems to get the job done. I realize there's more to it than just this, axle ratio dual vs single tires stuff like that. and I've read on many forums of people regularly towing 6k or more with a 5.4.


sorry for the 2 part question.... just wondering why I got a 1 ton I guess.

 

Brakes, frame, springs, wheels, wheel studs, tires, cooling system (engine and transmission), engine and transmission calibration, prop shaft and U-joints would all be different (stronger) on a F250 or F350 than an F150, even though they may share a common base engine architecture.

 

As long as you don't exceed the ratings on the door as far as rear axle rating ,front axle rating and total GVW it is not illegal. The suggested trailer weight numbers in the manual are just that suggested. If you get pulled into a weigh station they will check the load on the axles according to the door sticker..

 

Horsepower is only useful for getting the trailer going fast enough to crash. That is the only area where the F150 and Super duty would be equal.

 

The engine is the only part of that truck that's identical to the half tons, it's a completely different platform than the F150.

 

thanks for the clarification.... I thought the combined weight (which isn't on the sticker) was the legal towing standard.


yeah, I know one dude who hauls a tool trailer, goes around 8 or 9 loaded up, he says its a dog but gets his stuff around.... and another guy free wheels with a bobcat so that's around 7, all with a 5.4 and I knew that a 1/2 wouldn't be able to stop either of those loads.


thanks for all the help!

 

If the truck is stopping a trailer that heavy you're doing it wrong. All trailers over a couple thousand pounds are required to have brakes. Trailer brakes are responsible for stopping the trailer, and the truck brakes are responsible for stopping the truck and any tongue weight on the hitch.

I've pulled as much as 15,000 lbs with a half ton and had NO problems stopping. The axles were under GAWR and the brakes were working properly.

 

I don't know much about truck'n and trailer'n but I know the brakes work on whatever I haul and I wouldn't haul 7.5 tons with a 1/2 truck, my opinion.

 

I don't recommend it, that was a one-time thing. The truck was rated for 11,000 lbs though, and it handles that much weight really well. I've pulled a lot of trailers with a lot of trucks, so your comfort level may be different.

Anyway, back to the original topic, your Super Duty is built significantly heavier than a half ton truck. The biggest capability increase is payload; half tons are typically rated for payload of 1,400-1,800 lbs depending on configuration.

 

Your towing capacity is more than 5k lbs.

Here is the 2003 Towing guide. Look up your configuration to find the actual rated towing capacity.
http://www.fleet.ford.com/resources/...s/2003_All.pdf

 

My first truck was a 2001 F150 7700 series (Heavy Duty Half Ton / Light 3/4 Ton) it had the 2V 5.4 Triton motor in it, it had beefed up 3/4 ton suspension, heavier axles (7 Lug Wheels) a stronger front end, heavier duty shocks, and a bigger trans & oil cooler in it than a regular Light Duty F150 had in it. My current truck is a 2001 F350 Super Duty with the 2V 5.4 Triton in it also. I tow with mine quite frequently. The first thing I noticed right away when comparing my F150 7700 to my F350 when it comes to towing is the F350 hauls WAY more comfortably and overall more easily than the F150 ever did. They may share the same motor, but the F350 has the much heavier axles, suspension setup, shocks, a solid front axle (The F150 had the independent front like most 1/2 tons.) A much larger & stronger frame rail setup, a bigger transmission with bigger coolers and oil cooling system. Plus bigger rotors and brakes for stopping the heavier weight. The factory stamped GVWR of my F150 was 7700 lbs and the GVWR in my F350 is 9900 lbs. So I have 2200 lbs More weight rating in my 1 ton than I did in my Heavy Duty 1/2 ton which is quite considerable actually. The Triton V8 may not be a speed machine, but she'll pull trailers at the posted speed limit and more importantly in a 3/4 ton or 1 ton platform it'll have the stopping power to safely control and handle a larger trailer than any 1/2 ton could imagine handling which really gives me the extra peace of mind when towing trailers with my current truck over my previous truck. The HP is just the initial "get up and go" factor when towing in my mind, once the truck & trailer get up to the speed limit it more comes down to your cooling systems, your braking power, and your frame & suspension holding that weight constantly without failing. This is where the heavier 3/4 tons and 1 tons really shine in my opinion. Just cause it's not a speed machine doesn't mean it has to back down from towing heavier trailers, just stay under your trucks posted GVWR and load your trailer evenly and have a good Brake Controller in the truck for the trailer brakes and you should be just fine. I hope this helped a bit.