Can I Tow This?
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From: Loveland
Can I Tow This?
I have a 2003 F-150 Sport regular cab, 4.6 Liter automatic. I want to tow a 1/2 ton Chevy pickup on a flatbed trailer, the distance is 68 miles one way. There are a couple long grades on the way but nothing too steep. I don't want to kill my Ford, will this hurt it?
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From: OK
Determine the weight of the Chevy and the trailer. See if those numbers will exceed any of the weight or tow ratings for your truck.
Even if the weight is within your trucks ratings, I suspect you'll have some problems with that sized load and a 4.6L engine. Don't even think about towing if the trailer doesn't have functional brakes. Be safe!
Even if the weight is within your trucks ratings, I suspect you'll have some problems with that sized load and a 4.6L engine. Don't even think about towing if the trailer doesn't have functional brakes. Be safe!
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Leroy, That size load with your 150 will probably exceed all your weight ratings, but if you're only going to do it once or twice, will keep your speed down, and the state doesn't do a weight check on your route, you can get away with it. Brakes are a definite plus, but speed is the killer. Going 30mph will keep you out of a lot of trouble that 60 will get you into. A few years ago I pulled a 22000lb double deck hog trailer 100 miles twice a month with a F250 and a 350cid up and down a lot of very steep hills. We downshifed, took it slow, and never had a bit of trouble. Way illegal though. How lucky are you feeling?
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Depends on your state requirements. A lot of weigh stations close at regular times, and on Sunday's. Call your local State Police ot truck enforcement people and ask them. A lot of them will not give you permission, but they really aren't looking to catch a guy moving a truck once ot twice. Listen between the lines or better yet, stop in and talk to them.
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From: Denton,TX
Originally Posted by leroys4wd
it has brakes on both axles.i pass a truck weight station on the way. do i have to stop at 'em?
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From: S/C Texas
Yea, thats alot of weight. I dont think the cops like it when the towing vehicle is outweighed by the load being towed. Even if the trailer had good electric brakes.....they might bust ya for fun.
My wife asked me to drive my 91 4x4 F-150 from Texas to Ohio to pick up a Chevy 1500 for her, and pull it on a trailer back down here. I told her it was a galant effort and I'd love to, just one problem...
No way 1/2 dozen states would let that happen. I sure dont think my trucks tranny would let it happen.
My wife asked me to drive my 91 4x4 F-150 from Texas to Ohio to pick up a Chevy 1500 for her, and pull it on a trailer back down here. I told her it was a galant effort and I'd love to, just one problem...
No way 1/2 dozen states would let that happen. I sure dont think my trucks tranny would let it happen.
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From: Loveland
I also have a class c motorhome with a 440 engine, you think that might be better suited to tow it? it has a class iii hitch welded to the frame. I sure dont want to mess up my Ford.
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From: Barrington USA
by the way NO Motorhome requires a CDL if you ask around you only need a reqular drivers liceanse (sp?) this was done by the RV lobby so that they could sell more of the bigger size motorhomes
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From: Marengo, Iowa
In most states, the 26,000 gvw and up trucks are what's required to stop, and some states do require the big motorhomes to scale. As far as simply hauling a pickup on a simple car trailer, I doubt any of them will give you grief over it, at least no in my experience, and I've done a lot of miles in different states here in the upper midwest with never a stop for weight issue. With my single car trailer, I have never rolled across the scales, and never had any problems. They are looking for overweights on the heavies that exceed road capacities, as that is the major problem. Your rig with the basic regular weight will cause no damage, so likely they won't look twice, but it doesn't hurt to check the local DOT to be absolutely certain.
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From: Denton,TX
Originally Posted by 1991fseries
by the way NO Motorhome requires a CDL if you ask around you only need a reqular drivers liceanse (sp?) this was done by the RV lobby so that they could sell more of the bigger size motorhomes
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From: Honkytonkville
You need to include more info on the chevy. The weight of that truck will vary a lot depending on 4wd or not, engine, year, long bed or not, ext cab or not, etc. Your truck may be perfectly suitable to tow this truck, and at the same time may not be....Catch my drift? Best of luck!!
Scott
Scott
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From: Honkytonkville
Yeah, sounds real heavy...I would hold back from any urges to tow with the F150, regardless of the truck's setup(unless perhaps an emergency one time deal). I've towed things that should never be put on a trailer behind any half ton, but some times there arent many options as we all know. As far as the camper- I would need more info on it. I'm assuming it's chrysler because of the 440....does it have a van or truck cab on the front or is it bigger than that? If the cab of the camper is marked 20/250/2500 or 30/350/3500 you'd be fine to tow with it. Also if it's bigger I imagine you'd be fine, but I would suggest talking to the vehicle manufacturer first to be absolutely sure.
Scott
PS If the chevy you're talking about is the red one on the website posted in your signature, definitely don't tow-way too heavy!
Scott
PS If the chevy you're talking about is the red one on the website posted in your signature, definitely don't tow-way too heavy!
Last edited by scottie2hottie; Jun 23, 2004 at 09:08 PM.