Can it pull?
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 1,496
Likes: 3
From: Simpsonville, KY
That class of vehicle should be able to tow 7000lbs plus or minus (Off Road version with 17" and 3.73 could tow 7700lbs). Depends on how much the truck weighs and the trailer as well, plus what terrain. But I've used the same truck to tow 6000lbs through the hills of PA and VT without hesitation, so if yours is similar I'd definately feel it could do it.
Postmaster
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 4,038
Likes: 3
From: South Kitsap County, WA
A better basis for towing is the GCWR... the total weight of the two (truck and load).
The max trailering weight can only be used if the truck you're towing with is minimally loaded.
Basing my numbers off the 2000 F-150, same engine/gear combo as found using the Ford Fleet and body building/aleration websites.
F150 Supercab 4x4 5.4 w/ 3.55s and 17" wheels - Max Trailer weight 7400lb
****************Spec for same truck*************- GCWR 12,500lb
****************Spec for same truck*************- Using the max trailer weight, the truck should weigh no more than 5,100lbs - for comparison, my 7700 weighs in at 5500lbs, with a canopy, me and a tank of gas.
Bone dry (absolutely no gas/oil-fluids - no options either) a short bed regular cab 4x2 weighs 4200lbs.
The real question is how much is the set up going to weigh, and if you're over recommended weight, are you willing to see if the engineers left "a little." Brakes can be a hazard, I hope you have a brake controller. My '82 F150 weighed in at 4800lbs... if I put it on a trailer, I'd be using one with brakes.
-Kerry
The max trailering weight can only be used if the truck you're towing with is minimally loaded.
Basing my numbers off the 2000 F-150, same engine/gear combo as found using the Ford Fleet and body building/aleration websites.
F150 Supercab 4x4 5.4 w/ 3.55s and 17" wheels - Max Trailer weight 7400lb
****************Spec for same truck*************- GCWR 12,500lb
****************Spec for same truck*************- Using the max trailer weight, the truck should weigh no more than 5,100lbs - for comparison, my 7700 weighs in at 5500lbs, with a canopy, me and a tank of gas.
Bone dry (absolutely no gas/oil-fluids - no options either) a short bed regular cab 4x2 weighs 4200lbs.
The real question is how much is the set up going to weigh, and if you're over recommended weight, are you willing to see if the engineers left "a little." Brakes can be a hazard, I hope you have a brake controller. My '82 F150 weighed in at 4800lbs... if I put it on a trailer, I'd be using one with brakes.
-Kerry
Elder User
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 576
Likes: 0
From: Cameron, OK
How many miles is on your truck Bullride_101? I pulled a full size bronco on a trailer from Atlanta to OK and lost the tranny just outside of Little Rock... it had 100K on it so as disapointed as I was, I figured it was as much the milleage as it was the towing. I just lost the second trans at 122K after towing the bronco about 60 miles after it broke down this weekend. I had the OD turned off both times, I don't think it matters, it's just not a very durable tranny IMO.
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Junior User
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 79
Likes: 0
hell ya...I have towed my trailer full of stuff..."weighs about 4000 lbs itself loaded....with about 1 ton of used roofing tiles in the bed of my truck...and did it for 5 days before goin to the dump..it had no problems doing this...make sure the ball is good and new and pull it...I wouldn't worry a bit
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Laughing Gas
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 896
Likes: 12
From: Kenna,wv
My dad has an 03 F150 SC 4X4 5.4 with the Heritage paint ("17 wheels). He pulls a fifth wheel camper that weighs 6800 lbs. dry. He has pulled it to Florida, TN, and KY (many times). He is actually satisfied with the towing ability. The only issues he has had is warped front rotors. It is still on the original Goodyears at 36,000 miles.
Postmaster
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 4,038
Likes: 3
From: South Kitsap County, WA
Warped rotors can be attributed to towing more than the recommended weight. I had to keep from grinning as you pretty much made my point with that comment... don't overload the truck. Warping is a problem that has been documented to these trucks, it get really bad when you put too much on them. What is the truck's GVRW?
-Kerry
-Kerry
Laughing Gas
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 896
Likes: 12
From: Kenna,wv
His tow rating is 7,000 some pounds. He is aware he is pushing it. He had rotor problems before he even bought the camper, and I am sure the camper is not helping. He is going to upgrade to slotted rotors soon. Power wise and chassis wise, the truck handles it well. The fifth wheel helps the weight distribution.
Junior User
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 79
Likes: 0
Best bet is to yank the axle off any non electric brake trailer you are going to be towing and slap one in with brakes....this will minimize warping of the rotor's...but maybe not the cheapest way to do it unless you plan to pull often with heavy loads..then it may be cheaper than changing rotors each time you change pads...
Hotshot
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 12,359
Likes: 4,394
From: SW VA
Originally Posted by kspilkinton
Bone dry (absolutely no gas/oil-fluids - no options either) a short bed regular cab 4x2 weighs 4200lbs.
-Kerry
Postmaster
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 4,038
Likes: 3
From: South Kitsap County, WA
I checked, your right to disagree... it's all of roughly 300 lbs lower on a 2000 F150 short bed 4x2 - 3923lbs. Point's still the same, though, tow within your limits. That's a bone stock completely empty weight.
I'm certain that sticker is what your truck would weigh without any options... Ford doesn't have the web version of the '97-'99 specs... try the 2000 specs for a rough idea. They are on the last few pdf pages and list weights for each option to give you an idea of what your payload actually is, by adding them up and subtracting them off your payload capacity. This will also give you an idea of the real world weight of your truck. The last page is the stripped down dry weight of each truck by wheel base, drive system, and payload.
Putting this into perspective, my 138.5" wb 7700 supercab 4x4 as a base model would weigh over 1000lbs more than the 120" wb short bed 4x2 base model. 4974 vs. 3923... but that added weight is what makes my truck ready to tow over 8500lbs.
-Kerry
I'm certain that sticker is what your truck would weigh without any options... Ford doesn't have the web version of the '97-'99 specs... try the 2000 specs for a rough idea. They are on the last few pdf pages and list weights for each option to give you an idea of what your payload actually is, by adding them up and subtracting them off your payload capacity. This will also give you an idea of the real world weight of your truck. The last page is the stripped down dry weight of each truck by wheel base, drive system, and payload.
Putting this into perspective, my 138.5" wb 7700 supercab 4x4 as a base model would weigh over 1000lbs more than the 120" wb short bed 4x2 base model. 4974 vs. 3923... but that added weight is what makes my truck ready to tow over 8500lbs.
-Kerry