towing capacity is weak?
Thread Starter
|
New User
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
towing capacity is weak?
I bought a 1994 F150 2wd, 5spd, I6, for the purpose of towing my boat which weighs roughly 3500lbs with trailer. I just took a look at its towing capacity in the manual and it says my truck's towing capacity max's out at 3000lbs. How can a fullsize truck be that weak? Can someone recommend to me the minimum combination of truck I'd need to tow 3500lbs?
Postmaster
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 2,621
Likes: 1
From: Sweetwater Texas
3000 lbs maximum? Huh I've had enough wait on my '87 that the frame was only a couple of inches above the axle (28 foot stock trailer, full of steers, and hay stacked on top of the trailer). The 300 will make childs play out of that 2 ton boat. Your only week link is probably going to be your bumper if your using that to pull, unless someone has installed an aftermarket bumper. I built me a bumper out of 1/2 plate so I knew that my bumper wouldn't ever get damaged.
Post Fiend
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 6,473
Likes: 4
From: Lafayette, IN
For one, you probably have the Mazda 5-speed tranny, which is fine for a lightly-used truck, but probably not that great for lots of towing. Two, you didn't post your rear gears, but they could be a 3.08 setup, which also isn't good for towing, but is good for mileage.
In this case it really doesn't have anything to do with the frame, brakes or suspension, but the driveline behind the engine.
Jason
In this case it really doesn't have anything to do with the frame, brakes or suspension, but the driveline behind the engine.
Jason
Post Fiend
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 6,473
Likes: 4
From: Lafayette, IN
You can tow more with an automatic because the slippage in an auto (heavier load = more slippage) is entirely in the fluid in the torque converter, which means little wear. On a standard with a heavy load, there is more slippage on the clutch plates, resulting in much more wear. It also has to do with the torque multiplication that takes place in the auto tranny/torque converter.
Jason
Jason
Postmaster
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 2,621
Likes: 1
From: Sweetwater Texas
Originally Posted by jroehl
You can tow more with an automatic because the slippage in an auto (heavier load = more slippage) is entirely in the fluid in the torque converter, which means little wear. On a standard with a heavy load, there is more slippage on the clutch plates, resulting in much more wear. It also has to do with the torque multiplication that takes place in the auto tranny/torque converter.
Jason
Jason
Post Fiend
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 6,473
Likes: 4
From: Lafayette, IN
Your T18 is not a Mazda. As for the slippage, that's kind of a small factor. The torque multiplication of the auto is a bigger factor--there was a thread about the engineering and physics behind this quite some time ago (probably over a year or year and a half) in the general automotive or tranny forum. Personally, even though I have an auto, I would prefer a HD manual tranny when it comes to towing. I feel I have more control of the vehicle and trailer that way. The only time I have ever had an auto slip was when something was wrong (low fluid, smoked tranny, etc). I towed well over 6000 lbs. with my 302/AOD, even uphill, and it didn't slip. It didn't like it, but the tranny didn't slip.
Jason
Jason
Trending Topics
Elder User
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 973
Likes: 2
From: Texas
Ford sets there max towing rate vary conservatively. These trucks will handle much more then you think. I tow a 5000 lbs. boat all the time and and the 300 doesn't even feel it. The mazda 5 speed on the other hand, its about to fail on me. Im pretty rough on it, but im hoping that if it does go ill get the zf 5.
jroehl "Your T18 is not a Mazda"
Are you talking about the original poster or dean?
If its the original poster and he has a 5 speed its either a mazda or the zf 5, and there are not many f150s with the zf.
And as for the t18, did they put the wide ratio t18a(first gear ratio= 6.32) or just the normal t18(first gear ration= 4.02) in the f 150s?
jroehl "Your T18 is not a Mazda"
Are you talking about the original poster or dean?
If its the original poster and he has a 5 speed its either a mazda or the zf 5, and there are not many f150s with the zf.
And as for the t18, did they put the wide ratio t18a(first gear ratio= 6.32) or just the normal t18(first gear ration= 4.02) in the f 150s?
FTE Stories
Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts
Top 6 Best Deals Available on New Fords & Lincolns Right Now
Brett Foote
This Hennessey Takes the Expedition Tremor's Off-Roading Capability to the Next Level
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Fords at 2026 Carlisle Ford Nationals
Joe Kucinski
3 Best / 3 Worst Parts of Modern Ford Ownership
Brett Foote
10 Amazing Upgrades That Solve Common Ford Truck Owner Headaches
Pouria Savadkouei
Every 2026 Ford Engine Explained
Brett Foote
10 Ugly Ford Trucks That We Still Kinda Love
Joe Kucinski
10 Things Every Truck Owner NEEDS (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalyptic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath
Verdad Gallardo
Post Fiend
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 6,473
Likes: 4
From: Lafayette, IN
I saw in Dean88's sig that he has a T18...which I would say is much better than the Mazda 5-speed from what I've read here. The OP probably has a Mazda tranny, which is not known for its towing ability, but is known for good mileage.
Jason
Jason
Postmaster
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 2,621
Likes: 1
From: Sweetwater Texas
Originally Posted by fordman1090
And as for the t18, did they put the wide ratio t18a(first gear ratio= 6.32) or just the normal t18(first gear ration= 4.02) in the f 150s?
Elder User
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 973
Likes: 2
From: Texas
Ok cool, thanks, the site that i get my trans info gives me both and i wasnt sure which ford used.
Ya if the t18 has the 6.32 then i would been tons better then the mazda. The mazda is originally a mini truck trans but they just lowered the gears. It will hold up to pulling, but not for long. Iv got 93k on mine and it is really sloppy.
pfogle- "you might need a clutch upgrade is all. The clutch is really the weak link here."
Im running the exact same setup and i have never had a problem with the clutch slipping under load. You could always upgrade to a clutch that will give you a smother grab and release and run cooler and last longer, but unless your running some crazy mods the stock clutch will be fine. And you probubly dont wanna pull the tranny unless you have to.
Hope im helping.
Good luck
Ya if the t18 has the 6.32 then i would been tons better then the mazda. The mazda is originally a mini truck trans but they just lowered the gears. It will hold up to pulling, but not for long. Iv got 93k on mine and it is really sloppy.
pfogle- "you might need a clutch upgrade is all. The clutch is really the weak link here."
Im running the exact same setup and i have never had a problem with the clutch slipping under load. You could always upgrade to a clutch that will give you a smother grab and release and run cooler and last longer, but unless your running some crazy mods the stock clutch will be fine. And you probubly dont wanna pull the tranny unless you have to.
Hope im helping.
Good luck
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
dcullen
Pre-Power Stroke Diesel (7.3L IDI & 6.9L)
7
Apr 29, 2020 08:45 PM
fishman24
Explorer, Sport Trac, Mountaineer & Aviator
4
Feb 4, 2020 09:19 PM
Ottawasteve
2015 - 2020 F150
3
Mar 20, 2015 10:28 AM
rosenkranswa
1999 - 2016 Super Duty
25
Sep 12, 2011 01:44 PM
