I've been looking for a full sized truck so last weekend I bought a 1991 F150 (5.0,auto,4x4,Std cab,short box) with 23,500 miles! I was so excited to find such a cream puff of a truck that I didn't do all my research before I bought it! The only question I have left is the towing capacity. This is the information that I have.

Engine 5.0 (VIN code N)
Auto Overdrive Transmission (Code T)
3.55 Axle (code 19) (3800 lbs)
GVWR 6100 lbs

So I take the information (3.55 axle w/5.0 engine) and go to the Maximun Gross Combined Weigth Rating (GCWR) chart in the owners manual. It gives me the following 3 lines

8400lbs Max GCWR / 0-2000lbs Trailer Weight / Trailer frontal area < Vehicle frontal area
9700lbs Max GCWR / 2000-3500 Trailer Weight / 60 sq ft max frontal area
11,500lbs Max GCWR / 3500-7700 Trailer Weight / 60 sq ft max frontal area

So what is the Max GCWR for this truck and what can it pull (assuming I don't load the truck itself too much)? I'm going to be buying a travel trailer sometime over the next couple of months and I don't want to destroy this truck by getting something too heavy! If it can only pull 2000 lbs, I'd rather pass the truck on to someone else and find something that can handle a little more weight. (Though I could live with a 3500 lb capacity!)

Thanks!

BTW Great Site!

 

A 5.0 with 3.55's will be working HARD to tow a mid sized travel trailer. Expect slow going up hills or driving into a headwind. It can be done, but it's lifespan may be shortened.

If you are planning a lot of towing, your money may be better spent on a 3/4 ton with a 460 or a diesel.

 

In my 1993 owner's manual for my 93 it states the
GCWR of a standard cab, 5.0, 3.55 and automatic is 11,500lbs, with a trailer weight range of 0-7000 lbs and a trailer frontal area of 60 sq. ft.

A 5.8 only raises the weight to 12,00lbs and 7400lb trailer range.

Just because it can tow that weight does not mean you will be happy with it's performance.

Mine has 5.0 w/ 4.56's and it works HARD to tow a loaded carhauler (apprx 5,000lbs).

 

my dad a 1990 same set up except a 2 wheel drive and he went looking at travel trailers and the said with the 302 you will where it out in a hurry. it's not so much the weight it's the wind resistence it really makes it pull hard. my wife's cousin's husband has a 94 F150 with a 302 and a e4od and he bought a 28ft fiver. 2 months later he put a new tranny in. he said pulling it home when he bought it he was bucking a good head wind and it never shifted out of 2nd gear. i would recommend buying a F250 that what i did. I bought one with a 351 and a 5 speed manual so far havn't pulled anything but can haul a good load of firewood. Lot more power than my 88 f150 with a 302

 

Thanks for the input. If I keep the F150, I guess I'll have to get a smaller travel trailer that weighs 2500-3500 lbs. The truck has an aluminum top that would some what help the wind resistence!

 

The different breakdowns in trailer weight limits are based on the other options you have. To get to the upper range, you have to have the trailer tow package and "super cooling". Read through the charts again, there should be some footnotes to that effect.

That being said, and having a '90 with the same drivetrain as you (minus the 4x4), trust me, you don't want to go above 4000-5000 or so with that truck. It will do it, but it WILL shorted the life of the drivetrain. Get a tranny temp gauge and install it if you want to tow heavier, you may find that you need a better (or another) tranny cooler. Plus, your std. cab/shortbed combo makes for a not-too-stable tow vehicle--they can get squirrely much more easily than a longer tow vehicle.

Jason

 

You are correct. There are footnotes.
The largest tranny cooler you can afford is neccessary.
Regards
Ken

 

Are you talking about towing on the bumper or a reciever? They, to my knowledge, did not offer a reciever that year. A reciever will allow you to tow a little more because it moves the weight forward. However 5K# is about it with an occasional load over that. The 4x4 actually is recommended at a lower tow rating than the 2wd.

 

Since you have already bought the truck my recommendation would be to keep it and look into a HILO travel trailer. They are full size travel trailers that collapse down to reduce wind resistance. They are not at all like pop ups. They advertise that you can still get 10-11 mpg while towing one of those vs 6-7mpg towing a conventional travel trailer. the wind resistance is definitely what would be the problem, a big travel trailer is like pulling a parachute behind your truck

 

I can put in a big transmission cooler and perhaps a bigger radiator, but will the AOD transmission hold up towing 3500 lbs? Some of the post I have read on this site suggest that the AOD is a weak transmission! I had already figured on a HiLo or Trailmanor (if I can find one for the right price) so that would help with the wind resistance! I may also look at some exhaust work (headers and/or catback exhaust) to help with the power but no use spending the money if the tranny won't hold up.