I have a 2006 F150 Super Crew 5.4L / 373 gears / 6.5' box.
I am looking to tow a fiver @ 8200# with a pin weight of 1400#. It falls below Ford ratings but wanted to know if anybody is towing anything this big with a 2004-2006 F150. It will mostly be towed in flat land and some eastern mountains.
Thanks for any input.

 

I think you could do it, but you won't be happy with it. You may have to do several modifications to your truck before you can do it safely.

The short box won't allow you to put the hitch far enough forward and you will have a lot of weight on the back axle. You may have to add springs in the back to level out the ride.

Also, the 5.4/3:73 will be underpowered on the hills, you will probably not be able to tow in overdrive. You will probably need a larger tranny cooler to handle the added stress.

Is the 8,200 lbs dry weight, or fully loaded? You can easily add another 2,000 once you stock that trailer. You also have to include fuel, passengers and the weight of the hitch in you GVWR. If the trailer weighs 8,200, plus 2,000 in stuff, 1,000 for passengers, fuel and hitch, and add that to your actual vehicle weight. Let' say your truck weighs 6,000, you're easily at 17,000 GVWR.

The numbers they give you in the owners manual are for the base model, dry weight and aren't realistic for what you actually do with your truck. I hate to rain on your parade, but I wouldn't do it. But, on the other hand, I've heard of others regularly towing at maximum or over with no problems.

 

From the Ford towing guide: quote " While F-150 Supercrew and supercab (132.5"Wb) 5 1/2 ft box will accept a fifth-wheel hitch, current fifth-wheel trailer designs are not compatible with these models. Any questions should be refered to the trailer dealer/manufacturer."