I just bought a 1977 Ford F150 with a 1985 Ford Econoline, Inline 6 engine in it. I have no idea what it will tow, but I need it to pull either a bumper pull travel trailer, a bed camper, or a fifth wheel or gooseneck. We are going on the road for a year. I just need to know what it will pull. Where can I find that info?

Thanks!

 

very little... sorry. truck nor engine are work trucks. my opinion.

my guess you have the 1985 300 cubic inch straight 6.... good engine .. low on power.

best guess 3,000 pound trailer MAX.... small brakes, small axles. low horsepower..
my old Dodge 2004 Ram 1500.. V6 was rated 3,300 pounds.

 

Those I6's are near to my heart. They have a low rpm power band and you can't lug them hard enough to hurt them. They will move all the payload your truck can handle. They just can't move much of a trailer at highway speeds. I wouldn't try much over 5000lbs if you're going to drive highway speeds...>55mph.

It's actually a rather safe combination you have. Your engine can't pull more than your truck can handle. Modern diesel pickups, on the other hand, have way more power than they need or can handle.

I imagine it will be hard to find factory tow ratings going back to 1977.

 

I spent 10 minutes looking on line... none,, before 1994 and it was NOT from Ford.

deleted.

 

The original owner's manual has the ratings if you can find one.

 

That's about right. It's going to be a wheezer.

 

Agree that you will be down on power but that's not unsafe. Drive slow take it easy, that how the world used to work. Probably a bumper pull with very good brakes is safer than a slide-in for you because of low weight carrying ability.