Does lifting affect towing capacity?
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5th Wheeling
Joined: Mar 2024
Posts: 26
Likes: 1
Does lifting affect towing capacity?
I just bought a 1992 f259 7.5, and am planning on a 6 inch lift and straight axle swapping it. I want to pull a boat that’s a little over 5,000 lbs. Are there specific springs I should look for or will typical lift springs get the job done?
FTE Legend
Joined: Nov 2015
Posts: 30,935
Likes: 4,123
From: Angier, NC
The trucks were built and tested the way they left the factory to do a job safely, be it a load in the bed or pulling a trailer.
You now lifted it and you now change the dynamics of everything it was built to do.
The higher the lift the less stable the tow rig and that will also effect the trailer.
I am also guessing you are going to put on larger tires?
This changes the axle ratio and the weight it can pull and lets not get started on the brakes for stopping.
Even with out the trailer as the tires are heavier and harder to bring to a stop.
Why the 6 inch lift, you going thru mudd 75% of the time where you need the lift and tires or is it for looks.
I am not one that likes lifted trucks for towing for safety and no way a 6 inch lift .
My .02
Dave ----
You now lifted it and you now change the dynamics of everything it was built to do.
The higher the lift the less stable the tow rig and that will also effect the trailer.
I am also guessing you are going to put on larger tires?
This changes the axle ratio and the weight it can pull and lets not get started on the brakes for stopping.
Even with out the trailer as the tires are heavier and harder to bring to a stop.
Why the 6 inch lift, you going thru mudd 75% of the time where you need the lift and tires or is it for looks.
I am not one that likes lifted trucks for towing for safety and no way a 6 inch lift .
My .02
Dave ----
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5th Wheeling
Joined: Mar 2024
Posts: 26
Likes: 1
To answer your question Dave, I Am lifting it for looks (and am putting 37s on it), but also want to pull the boat with it on the rare occasion. I own a unlifted 2020 f250 power stroke for most of my towing, but if I want to pull my camper, I need something else to pull my boat if I want to take both. If I’m just taking the boat, I pull with my 2020. That being said, the unlifted towing capacity is 8,500-9,000lbs, was just wondering if I could still pull the boat after the lift
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Dec 2015
Posts: 1,521
Likes: 412
From: Washington Coast
Can you lift it and tow a approximately 5000 lbs boat safely?? Probably, the big key will be to ensure the back end of the truck doesn't squat severely which means you are unloading the front axle making your steering not as effective. It also means you need watch that you don't put the headlights in oncoming vehicles windshields or the car you are following's rear window. I had an F 350 with a lift and when I started towing with it I had to add some help in the rear to get the truck to behave correctly on the road.
It will change the suspensions behavior for sure especially the center of gravity and amount of roll you will feel but most people manage just fine. Big thing is to buy a quality kit not cheap.
It will change the suspensions behavior for sure especially the center of gravity and amount of roll you will feel but most people manage just fine. Big thing is to buy a quality kit not cheap.
Mountain Pass
Joined: Apr 2019
Posts: 226
Likes: 19
You can be lifted and tow, like the previous post said just make sure you keep some rake so you tow level, or get air bags. I always like taller springs in the back rather than a bigger block, and I personally dont think it’s safe to tow with stacked blocks. 5k is nothing for the 460, it will handle it, so will the axles even with bigger tires. Braking is the major concern when you start adding those bigger tires. Consider the hydro boost upgrade and new rotors, and add a trailer brake controller if your boat has brakes on the trailer. Cornering and stability will be different, traction bar can help. I love the look of the lifted OBS trucks, good on you for giving a little love to an older truck 👍🏻
Edit: if you don’t like how it tows, 4.88 gears will fix that with your 37s
Edit: if you don’t like how it tows, 4.88 gears will fix that with your 37s
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