Hi Folks,
I am a newbie looking for a truck to pull my racecar on an open aluminum trailer. Car, trailer and spares weigh about 4500. There is a nice 96 for sale with low mileage but the owner doesn't know the capacity. It is an XLT Lariat, 302 with an 8 foot bed. He is supposed to get me the numbers on the plate. Anyone know? Thank-you.

 

stay away from the 302 preferrably, its not a good towing motor, no low end torque, your best off with a 300I6 or 351V8

to answer your question on its towing capacity, with a stick it ranges from 2000-4000 pounds and an auto 2000-8000 pounds.

 

Agreed on the 302. Not the best towing motor around.

Towing capacity depends on axle ratio, transmission, and engine.

To be towing 4500 lbs, I would be looking for a truck with either a 300 or a 351, either a manual or an E4OD that's been well-maintained, and a 3.55 axle ratio.

The higher tow ratings for auto transmissions can be pinned on the fact that most people don't know how to drive a stick properly.

 

im not sure what the actual towing capacity is for sure but with my '95 f150 ext cab short bed 302 4r70w (auto) i tow a 6500 lb tractor on a 10000lb trailer with out any problems at all. the trailer does have brakes on it which helps alot. ive never towed with a 300 or a 351 but my 302 does a fine job and seems to have plenty of power. it could always have more, but ive been happy with the perfomance.

 

My 96 150 with 5spd,3.55:1 gears and 300 doesnt impress me. I recently pulled a skidsteer loader on a trailer for my neighbor and I thought I was going to get a ticket for blocking traffic. I would guess about 8000 pounds total. It pulled in first and second ok, but third was to much. I had to go to low range to get up the drive. Thank god its 4wd. I want an auto or some closer spaced gears. I may change to 351. I miss my 460, c6, '79 F100. It would pull anything if it could get traction. This is a well engineered truck, but my 79 is tougher. this open rear end sux to. Any advice on a trans swap? I think I bent the forks. 1st,2nd and nuetral are all 1st gear. Is going auto a big deal? I could get an '88 doner truck for $500.00.

 

i pulled our 5000 lb enclosed trailer with my pick up 302 lifted and 3.55 gears managed to get 10 mpg out of it driving 65 i do have a few mods but i would not choose the 3.55s with a 302.

 

The higher tow ratings for auto transmissions can be pinned on the fact that most people don't know how to drive a stick properly.

no. with a auto you get a torque multiplication factor in first gear.

 

For once I'm not the only one. I'm convinced those that post "stay away from the 302" haven't driven...or towed with one. At the time I bought mine, I felt it offered the best balance of power and gas mileage. 202K miles later... I still do.

 

I had my 1996 F150 (302 Auto) for nine years i have pulled 6x12 trailers loaded full of band gear pulled it just fine it was around 3300 pounds gear a trailer. Driving up to dallas and back to austin. Every 14'000 i have my trans flushed out works fine no slippage my truck milage is 100'925 same trans.

 

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Well, it's preference I guess. The 302 generally needs to be revved a bit more than the 351W to make it's power.

I prefer to tow with the torque way down in the RPM band... but that's me.

And the 351W isn't too bad on gas... I've tweaked my way to about 15 ish.

 

Thanks for all of the advice guys. The consensus seems to be that the 302 will do the job but may not be optimal. I am awaiting the info from the owner to confirm.

 

frederic- I hear you. But in a 150, my 5.0 does 13-15 in town, and 17-19 on the highway. For those of us that only tow occasionally, that's an extra 2-3 mpg over a 351, and about on top of what a 300 gets.

 

I have to admit a 351 would be the best torque, but my 302w/ 5spd. man still no problems after 120,000 mi. I prefer a stick for towing, and tow a steel trailer w/ chevelle ok. Automatics heat-up too much without suffiecent cooling. Of course on hills overdrive is impossible. Straight six are good too, but manual trans a must. A 351 w/ 5spd. would be my choice.

Doug

 

As you can see, there are a lot of different opinions on which motor tows best, and which transmission can tow more. Without getting into who's right and who's wrong, get the truck you like at the best price you can. Then, if you're not happy with the performance, you can be comforted by the fact that there's at least 15 people here who will glady tell you, "I told you so!"