Tow Capacity Increase?
Elder User
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 867
Likes: 3
From: North Bend
Not by only increasing power. The tow rating has quite literally nothing to do with power. It's a safety rating so it takes into account the brakes, suspension, type of hitch used, etc, all for the purpose of keeping the driver and those around them safe in the event of a panic stop or emergency maneuvering.
If you're looking for more weight in a bumper style pull, it can be had by adding a weight distribution hitch setup, which adds a LOT of legal towing capability. The next step after that is going to a gooseneck or a 5th wheel type setup where the anchor point is in the bed.
If you're looking for more weight in a bumper style pull, it can be had by adding a weight distribution hitch setup, which adds a LOT of legal towing capability. The next step after that is going to a gooseneck or a 5th wheel type setup where the anchor point is in the bed.
Lead Driver
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 6,945
Likes: 13
While josh i mostly right, the power is in fact part of the factoring of max cgvw. That said, im not sure you would be able to convince anyone to up your gvw just because you put a turbo on it. Thankfully we dont have to deal with that stuff out here very often.
More Turbo
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 596
Likes: 58
From: West Plains, MO
I think my '93 (7.3 n/a, ZF-5, 4x4, 4.10) is only rated for 14K GCWR (truck + trailer) whereas the automatic is rated for 17K?? Seems like it oughta be the other way around... more hp to the ground with the stick? Truck weighs about 6100 with me in it. I'm not tiny 
Elder User
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 867
Likes: 3
From: North Bend
In fact that's why I got my 7.3 in the first place...had a 300-6 with the M5OD 5 speed and it was eating it up towing my trailer, IIRC I was 1,500lbs over its rating!
Elder User
Joined: May 2018
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Lead Driver
Joined: Apr 2008
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Postmaster
Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 3,914
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From: Thomaston
Unless you are pulling commerical, they normally dont weigh. How many 1 tons have you seen with a 5th wheel car hauler with 3 or 4 cars on it. The overweight tickets are when you go over the 80 k
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Elder User
Joined: May 2018
Posts: 695
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Thats sort of a way to look at it, more likely that with a converter and an automatic youre able to be in the engines power band more.
Lead Driver
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 6,945
Likes: 13
It's not my way to look at it, Ford came up with that explanation when questioned about the tow specs. Just my opinion, but for towing, sometimes 11-12 thousand pounds gross trailer weight, I sure wouldn't trade my ZF with 5 close ratio usable gears compared to a E4OD which is basically a 4 speed.
i ain't rite
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 65,579
Likes: 5,611
From: Marlboro Mental Hospital.
from what i hear average fine and tow bill is around $5,000
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Jarniscipus
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Feb 20, 2011 01:01 AM