Trailer towing question
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FTE Legend
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From: North Central Rural Sask.
Trailer towing question
Ok I have searched and havent really found the answer I was looking for. I have a 97 150 supercab shortbox 4x4 with an auto tranny. 3.55 rear end in it. I was just curious about how much weight I can load on a 1900 lb trailer behind my truck. The way i have figured it I should be able to put a 6500 lb truck on my trailer and that shouldnt overload the ratings, right....?? I have a 4.6 and im not wondering about the power aspect of it, and im not wondering about the transmission or anything, just the weight part of it, thanks.
Last edited by preppypyro; Jul 1, 2006 at 08:00 PM.
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From: Louisville,Ky.
That would be 8400 lbs, way over the tow rating of the truck.
My 01 with a 5.4L is only rated to tow 7500lbs, your is about 6600lbs.
The 02 Supercab rating is 6600lbs for a 4.6L that has PI heads with an Auto trans, 16" wheels and 3.55 gears. If you have 17" wheels, it goes down to 6100lbs.
What kind of truck do you need to tow that weighs 6500lbs??
I don't know if your truck has rear dis brakes or not, but either way, I hope that trailer has brakes on it.
My 01 with a 5.4L is only rated to tow 7500lbs, your is about 6600lbs.
The 02 Supercab rating is 6600lbs for a 4.6L that has PI heads with an Auto trans, 16" wheels and 3.55 gears. If you have 17" wheels, it goes down to 6100lbs.
What kind of truck do you need to tow that weighs 6500lbs??
I don't know if your truck has rear dis brakes or not, but either way, I hope that trailer has brakes on it.
Last edited by LxMan1; Jul 1, 2006 at 08:31 PM.
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From: South Kitsap County, WA
From the factory Ford files I have on hand -
1997 F-150 139.5"WB (4x4 Supercab 6ft bed) 4.6L V-8 w/auto
GCWR - 17" wheels - 11,000lbs
------- 16" wheels - 11,500lbs
Max Trailer weight - 17" wheels - 6100lbs
------------------- 16" wheels - 6600lbs
and a note from Ford -
"NOTE: Maximum trailer weights shown. The combined weight of the towing vehicle (including hitch, passengers and cargo) and the loaded
trailer must not exceed the Gross Combination Weight Rating (GCWR)."
-Kerry
1997 F-150 139.5"WB (4x4 Supercab 6ft bed) 4.6L V-8 w/auto
GCWR - 17" wheels - 11,000lbs
------- 16" wheels - 11,500lbs
Max Trailer weight - 17" wheels - 6100lbs
------------------- 16" wheels - 6600lbs
and a note from Ford -
"NOTE: Maximum trailer weights shown. The combined weight of the towing vehicle (including hitch, passengers and cargo) and the loaded
trailer must not exceed the Gross Combination Weight Rating (GCWR)."
-Kerry
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FTE Legend
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From: North Central Rural Sask.
My truck doesnt have rear disks, and my trailer has electric breaks. The truck I am hauling is a 91 ford supercab shortbox 4x4 and has some crap in the back. I guess my estimate of 6500 lbs might have been a tad much. Im guessing its more like 5000 pounds or so. Making the whole trailer about 7000 pounds or so, which is not bad at all. Ksp thanks for the GCWR's I couldnt run across them anywhere.
Last edited by preppypyro; Jul 1, 2006 at 09:32 PM.
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From: Louisville,Ky.
Looks like the specs are the same as a 2002 located here https://www.ford-trucks.com/specs/2002/2002_f150_1.html as far as towing is concerned. Some of the other specs are different such as the engine specs and such.
Postmaster
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From: South Kitsap County, WA
I found it interesting that the ratings stayed the same, even with the increase in engine output for the PI motors... tells me that the drivetrain combo wasn't what was limiting the towing numbers.
-Kerry
-Kerry
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Senior User
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From: Missouri
It's not often the powertrain (especially with a v8, even if it is a 4.6) that limits towing capability in half-ton on up trucks. Brakes and suspension become more important.
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FTE Legend
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From: North Central Rural Sask.
Thats kinda what I figured too fbodyfan. I mean I live in a province where they say you can see your dog run away for three days lol. So having the power isnt a problem, I could probably get away with towing with a v-6 or ranger with a 4 banger if I had too!
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Oct 2004
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From: Simpsonville, KY
7000 lbs is still over your rating by almost a half ton if you have 17" wheels, and even with trailer brakes that'll put a huge strain on your vehicle. I saw a Titan towing a 30ft camper today. Even if the weight was in its limits, the fact the bumper was dragging on the ground should have been a tipoff it was over loaded. Your truck will be similar if you load it too heavily. Worst case if your brakes have issues your transmission won't be able to take the push if you have to downshift. Be very careful if you HAVE to use this towing combination for a short trip, you couldn't pay me to do that.
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From: GANS
Originally Posted by cowboyty
I looked at the ratings for the 2002 f150, and was wondering if its the same for a 99 f150 supercab shortbox 4x4 styleside 5.4L auto?
with 3.55s: 7900lbs..
with 3.31s: a lot lower, like 6200lbs.
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This question has been beat to death in prior post, but---forget about the ratings or charts, in the real world if you dont want to burn your engine or transmission up--the f150 with 4.6 or 5.4 is good for not much over 5500 when pulling up hills. If you are on the flat or short distances up hills then it is good for not much over 6500. If your truck is loaded then it may be less than theese figures. Any more weight than the above for extended use-- you need a 3/4 ton. Many have pulled more weight with the f150 but sooner more than later the trans. or engine is going cook.
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"Any more weight than the above for extended use-- you need a 3/4 ton. Many have pulled more weight with the f150 but sooner more than later the trans. or engine is going cook."
How does a 3/4 ton with the same engine, transmit ion, & rear end gear ratio pull more without damaging anything? Doesn't the extra weight of the heavier frame, axles, & wheels strain it even more??????
How does a 3/4 ton with the same engine, transmit ion, & rear end gear ratio pull more without damaging anything? Doesn't the extra weight of the heavier frame, axles, & wheels strain it even more??????
Logistics Pro
Joined: Jan 2002
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From: GANS
Originally Posted by Leader
"Any more weight than the above for extended use-- you need a 3/4 ton. Many have pulled more weight with the f150 but sooner more than later the trans. or engine is going cook."
How does a 3/4 ton with the same engine, transmit ion, & rear end gear ratio pull more without damaging anything? Doesn't the extra weight of the heavier frame, axles, & wheels strain it even more??????
How does a 3/4 ton with the same engine, transmit ion, & rear end gear ratio pull more without damaging anything? Doesn't the extra weight of the heavier frame, axles, & wheels strain it even more??????
Most 1/2s do not.
if you have a 7700 or 8200(I think that is the weight), they will have everything that a 5.4 equipped F250 has except the full floating axles and the 8 lug wheels (wheels depending on the truck).
the original poster was asking about a 4.6 truck. that has almost no comparsion to a 3/4 ton.