Towing problem

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Nov 4, 2004 | 01:44 AM

jrmahan

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Towing problem

A Trailer towing dog

<HR style="COLOR: #666666" SIZE=1>Similar to above - I have a 95 F-150, 4x4, 5.0 unsure of tranny and rear. I just picked up a travel trailer 23' - dry weight is about 4700 -GVWR is 6500. According to charts my truck should be able to handle it - however - while coming home it was very unpleasant climbing grades. As I pushed the pedal it would down shift briefly . This would happen several times but I could never get up the speed I needed - only about 30-35 mph on the climb. At one point it no longer down shifted - only dragged along. After reaching the top and heading down for the next climb I could not accelerate - it sort of coasted at its own speed and gained no momentum for the next hill. I switched on the flashers and felt an immediate loss of power so I switched the flashers off and it picked up again. The vehicle has 175,000 miles and no apparent leaks. Any ideas on increasing power? Change rear end and differential?

Nov 4, 2004 | 02:45 AM

andym

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From: Bonita Springs FL

Lower gears in the rear would help, but the big problem is the 302. It's not what you'd call a great towing motor. Without knowing the gear ratio, how did you manage to figure out if your truck is rated to handle a trailer of that weight? Even with 4.10 gears, which are rare in the F-150's, you're right at the max trailer weight.

Bottom line, you need a bigger truck with more under the hood.

Nov 4, 2004 | 08:24 AM

Kista20

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From: Harrisonburg, VA

If you meant that the camper is 4,700 lbs dry weight thats the camper bone empty, you have to add the appliances, beds, cabinets, etc... all that adds more weight. It would be a lot easier to get a 3/4 ton truck to pull that. You could do it with your truck but you would have to put in a 351w, heavy duty leaf springs, air bags, heavier coil springs in the front and probabally some other stuff I forgot to mention. Even after all that it would be a extremely heavy duty 1/2 ton but still wouldn't be compareable to a 3/4 ton truck. I have a 95 4wd w/ 300 and I just added heavy duty leaf springs that has 5 leafs. I pull a 16ft cattle trailer from time to time and when you get a load on that it squats my truck even with the weight distribution hitch, I need to start adjusting it in between loads for the different weight.

Nov 4, 2004 | 09:42 AM

jrmahan

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Thank you both for a quick reply! Not what I wanted to see - but deep down I kinda agree that I need another truck. The towing info came from a chart the dealer had . . did not include rear diff. info. The trailer maxed out can only be 6500# and my truck is supposed to be able to tow that much - well, it did - just not very well. . .
Ok, more power! got it . . .

Nov 4, 2004 | 10:29 AM

Nightrain

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From: Dixie - Tennessee

According to my owner's manual, a 2WD 5.0L F-150 is supposed to be able to handle the following:

3.08 Gear Ratio - 4,700 pounds
3.55 Gear Ratio - 7,200 pounds
4.10 Gear Ratio - 6,500 pounds

If you have the 3.55 ratio, you should be in good shape, but I think that I would try to find an F-250 with at least the 5.8L 351. But, if you REALLY want to tug that baby, look for a 7.3L Powerstroke Diesel F-250!

Good luck!

Nightrain

Nov 4, 2004 | 01:36 PM

Frank Lang

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I have a 1988 F150 4 x 2, 302, AOD, 3.55LS axle, with 85,000 miles on it and factory trailer package, and tow a sailboat and trailer combination that weighs 5,100 lbs (confirmed on a truck weigh scale). I tow in drive (not overdrive), and while the truck has to work a bit on hills, I have no trouble towing on flat ground at 60 - 65 mph, slowing to about 50 mph on steep hills. While I agree with the other posts that a heavier truck would do a better job, the half ton should tow your load, especially if you are not towing regularly.
As well, my previous vehicle was a 1988 Lincoln Town Car with the 302 motor, 3.08 gears, and it also managed to tow the same boat fine, though I think the 3.55 gears are better for towing.
Just my experience.
Frank.

Nov 4, 2004 | 02:13 PM

andym

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From: Bonita Springs FL

Another thing to consider is that Ford inflated the towing capacity for the 302. The 300 was always offered as the base motor, and you had to pay more to get the 302. Now, we all know the 300 will outpull the 302 every day of the week and twice on Sunday. But if you look at the owner's manual, it will show the 302 having a greater towing capacity than the 300.

So the numbers can't be followed religiously - they're just a guide.

Nightrain, you must have made a typo. Look at your post again.