"Can" a 4.2 F150 Tow this?
Postmaster
Joined: Mar 2003
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From: La Tech University, La
"Can" a 4.2 F150 Tow this?
Ok, with the tow ratings, I find that Ford likes to play it safe, but that tow rating is with the POS Mazda tranny, which in mine has towed my 4200lb car and a 1000lb trailer...so an auto can defintely pull the same weight, and alot easier i think....at least over hilly terrain, (which I would not suggest with either) But for your quistion, yes It can be done, just pay attention to your truck, if something seems amiss...stop, and check it out...
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Joined: Dec 2002
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From: prince george , va
4.2 is a tough ol beast i had my 97 short bed slam loaded with brrick and block no clue on the weight but probly around 3500-4000 lbs truck towed it just fine but i did blow 1 of the shocks out
New User
Joined: Nov 2003
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I have a 97 4.2 with manual transmission. I pulled a trailer rated for 7000 # carrying 3.44 tons of crushed concrete with no problems. I only hauled that much once but I would do it again if needed. I did this on the bumper. You should just take it easy and not be in a hurry. Good luck...
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Joined: Jul 2003
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From: Houston Texas
I towed a 16 flat bed with a jeep and a4wheeler and 800LBS of deer corn from houston th brackettville tx last week. I've got a 2003 xl 4.2 5 speed and ran 65 the whole way, The breaks are my biggest worry. I wanted to take the Big truck but the wife had other plans....
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Jimmy Dean
The 4.2 in the half ton truck does do a good job towing. I did trash the 4.2 in my 97 because of the head gasket problem that it seems all 97-98 are having. Mine has been rebuilt now and is again running great. From what I now know, I should not have the same problem again because it was a faulty head gasket that is now known by all to be defective. I had to eat the expensive repair cost and that should not be the case. The 4.2 is a good engine on one hand but the other hand holds the cash that it takes to repair the 97 and 98. The stats speak for themselves...Carker
The 4.2 in the half ton truck does do a good job towing. I did trash the 4.2 in my 97 because of the head gasket problem that it seems all 97-98 are having. Mine has been rebuilt now and is again running great. From what I now know, I should not have the same problem again because it was a faulty head gasket that is now known by all to be defective. I had to eat the expensive repair cost and that should not be the case. The 4.2 is a good engine on one hand but the other hand holds the cash that it takes to repair the 97 and 98. The stats speak for themselves...Carker
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