VIN Decoder and capacity Explanations

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Apr 22, 2021 | 04:28 PM

Drsous1234

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Joined: Apr 2021

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VIN Decoder and capacity Explanations

Hello Everyone. Im in the Market for a used 2009 F-150. I saw a good deal on a 4.6 V8 and am not exactly sure how to tell how much it can tow. Pardon my ignorance on this stuff. :-)

I used the VIN decoder on this site, but it has a lot of different weight capacities shown. Can anyone please explain what each one means? IE: Wt Distributing Hitch - Max Trailer Wt. 5200, 5700, 7500, 8100, 9500, 9800, 11300 lbs 5100.0 min 11300.0 max. What are the numbers separated by commas? Different models?

How do you know if you have a weight distribution hitch or not? I know the axle ratio varies on models too, but not sure how to know what that is either.

https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/v...RW12819FB46304

Thanks for any help you can give me. Drsous

Apr 23, 2021 | 08:45 PM

Lime1GT

Fleet Mechanic

Joined: Jul 2010

Posts: 1,354

Likes: 31

From: Winnipeg

https://www.fleet.ford.com/content/d...VTTowGuide.pdf

Apr 24, 2021 | 08:57 AM

steve(ill)

Hotshot

Joined: Jul 2005

Posts: 11,931

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AS LIME posted... all those numbers do not pertain to ONE truck.. Each truck has a specific wheel base, transmission, engine, and axle ratio.. You look that up on the CHART and it will tell you the specs for YOUR TRUCK..... A 5.4 V8 with a 3.73 axle ratio is much higher load capable than a 6 cylinder with a 3.55 axle.

Apr 27, 2021 | 09:25 AM

Drsous1234

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Joined: Apr 2021

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Well, im trying to buy a truck and nobody ever knows all the info on it. I thought the VIN# was supposed to have specific information like axle ratio so I could determine these things?

I just dont want to buy an underpowered truck of course. I guess there is no easy way to do this it looks like.

Thanks for the help. Jason..

Apr 27, 2021 | 09:32 AM

RLXXI

Lead Driver

Joined: Nov 2020

Posts: 7,128

Likes: 1,945

From: Sportsman's Paradise

The vin # does have specific information, this and many other websites vin decoders are useless garbage as they aren't actually decoding anything as you've no doubt discovered. Post the vin# here and I or someone else will be able to provide absolute data on a specific vehicle.

Apr 27, 2021 | 05:22 PM

Johnny Paycheck

Fleet Mechanic

Joined: Jul 2019

Posts: 1,314

Likes: 312

VIN decoders are generally garbage.

I think quite a few of them optioned my ‘03 XL into Lariats way back when. I wish!

Jun 20, 2021 | 08:44 PM

ohenry

Freshman User

Joined: Oct 2013

Posts: 47

Likes: 6

I would recommend that you get a copy of the original window sticker. Those can be had, online, in PDF format, for about $8.

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Jun 22, 2021 | 02:02 PM

Bob Sagget

Cross-Country

Joined: Apr 2021

Posts: 76

Likes: 13

From: Nancy

Look in your driver side door jam. You'll see the sticker with everything from your VIN to your axle code and paint code. Cross reference that with the Ford chart. If it has the 4.6, I don't believe that even in its highest form that it will tow above 7500-8000. But don't quote me on that. Also, make DOUBLE sure that your axle is the OEM one. If it's RWD, it's not uncommon for someone to grenade the rear end and swap in something different...Had that happen to me with an 01 Ranger and even my 2010 FX4 (they swapped in an LS diff instead of the electronic locking one. Long story short, I took it to the shop and forced them to install a new axle with the OEM E-locker in it). Once you've double confirmed this, you should be able to go to https://assets.forddirect.fordvehicl...1AA9446B1A.pdf

From there it's all pretty self explanatory.