M50d and towing
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M50d and towing
I have a 1992 F-150 4x4 with the dreaded M50d, 300 6 and very anemic 3.08 gears. This weekend I pulled a small farm tractor (3500 lbs) on a rented trailer (2000 lbs) about 150 miles. That truck really pulled well considering the steep grades, weight, and high axle gearing. My question is this-do you guys (and gals) think I shortened the life of my 20000 mile old M50d or not? I have to say that the truck REALLY pulled well and the 6 didn't even seem like it was working that hard. I also use this truck to carry a slide in camper and plow lots of snow in the winter. Not bad for a truck with 175,000 on it. I had to take digital photos to show the guys at work who didn't believe that 6 could pull even its own weight!
Post Fiend
Joined: Nov 2001
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From: Topsfield, MA
I've put a lot more weight on that M5OD than it was ever designed to carry and I havn't blown it up yet after 2 years. I think the major reason why that weight capacity is so low is because of the high 1st gear. It doesn't have a very low 1st gear like the F-250s and F-350s have so it doesn't burn your clutch as much. I honestly have never heard of someone blowing up their M5OD here off towing something. I've also never heard anyone blow it up off engine power but...everyone knows not to put more than 250hp to them.
I honestly don't think you could ever blow that M5OD up off a stock I-6 motor, no matter what you tow with it.
I've had mine with probably 1000lbs in the bed, pulling a 4000lb boat, on 35" tires (my F-150 weighs 5200lbs as it is empty)..on a 3 hr drive round trip and it didn't blow up, that was a year and 1/2 ago.
I honestly don't think you could ever blow that M5OD up off a stock I-6 motor, no matter what you tow with it.
I've had mine with probably 1000lbs in the bed, pulling a 4000lb boat, on 35" tires (my F-150 weighs 5200lbs as it is empty)..on a 3 hr drive round trip and it didn't blow up, that was a year and 1/2 ago.
Post Fiend
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 19,402
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From: Bonita Springs FL
I towed a 4,000 lb camper behind my truck, which was loaded to the camper shell with stuff. Took it to a scale, and it weighed 9,500 lbs.
Oh, did I mention this was over the Sierra Mountains? (roughly an 8,000 foot climb)
It was a '90 F-150, regular cab, 8' bed with the 300 and a M5OD. Nothing pulls like a 300, that's for sure.
Oh, did I mention this was over the Sierra Mountains? (roughly an 8,000 foot climb)
It was a '90 F-150, regular cab, 8' bed with the 300 and a M5OD. Nothing pulls like a 300, that's for sure.
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A mostly quiet Supporter
Joined: Jun 2003
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From: Lansing, IA
My father had a 91 F150 very simular to my 95 (4.9 I6, M50D 4x4 3.08's). He put 130,000 miles on it using it to pull trailer for our family rental store deliveries. He used a loadmaster tandem axel trailer that was rated at 10,000 lb. The trailer was usually loaded with our 753 Bobcat or 7305 Cub Cadet 30hp compact utility tractor with loader. Both, with various attachments, would weigh about 5000 to 7000 lbs.
Dad did not have trailer brakes on the 91. He always said that if you take your time and give yourself plenty of room to stop you will be ok. when he stopped using it for the rental, it still had the same clutch and brakes in it as when he started. the 4.9 and M50d still worked fine too. so basically if you keep in mind that your are not pulling with a f350 with a powerstroke diesel in it, you will be ok.
T. j.
Dad did not have trailer brakes on the 91. He always said that if you take your time and give yourself plenty of room to stop you will be ok. when he stopped using it for the rental, it still had the same clutch and brakes in it as when he started. the 4.9 and M50d still worked fine too. so basically if you keep in mind that your are not pulling with a f350 with a powerstroke diesel in it, you will be ok.
T. j.
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Post Fiend
Joined: Nov 2001
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From: Topsfield, MA
Originally Posted by fai4g63
Only reason I can see why Ford does not recomend towing with that transmission is because of the high first gear. Maybe a little more wear & tear on the clutch thats all.
New User
Joined: Feb 2003
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From: Portage, MI
I've got an '89 f-150, 300 I6, M5OD, with only 2.73 gears and i've hauled over 5200 lbs. in the bed and towed 7000-7500 behind it. The tranny has had a hard life before i bought the trcuk but it still works just fine. Hadd rebuild the engine at only 140,000 miles (which is very low miles for the 300's) cause the prior owners abused it so bad. The old engine pulled pretty good but the rebuilt one pulls so much better and has a very strong low end to it. Only thing i can tell ya is i dont care how light the trailer is, dont put it in OD when pullin a trailer of any kind. Other than that, I like the tranny and dont think pullin what ya did will hurt it any.
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How do you have that low of a gear ratio???
I've got an '89 f-150, 300 I6, M5OD, with only 2.73 gears and i've hauled over 5200 lbs. in the bed and towed 7000-7500 behind it. The tranny has had a hard life before i bought the trcuk but it still works just fine. Hadd rebuild the engine at only 140,000 miles (which is very low miles for the 300's) cause the prior owners abused it so bad. The old engine pulled pretty good but the rebuilt one pulls so much better and has a very strong low end to it. Only thing i can tell ya is i dont care how light the trailer is, dont put it in OD when pullin a trailer of any kind. Other than that, I like the tranny and dont think pullin what ya did will hurt it any.
Like I thought 3.08 was the lowest? Is it factory or did you/someone else put that in?
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