Determining Towing Capacity
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Determining Towing Capacity
Hi All,
I’m going to be buying a 2003 F-150 SuperCab for my primary truck and to tow a RV. I want to find a truck that has the maximum towing capacity for that year and model.
According to my trailer life towing table, that is 8,500 lbs in a truck with the following:
5.4L V-8, 3.73:1 axle ratio and 7,700 payload group A,
OR
5.4L V-8, 4.09/4.10:1axle ratio and 7,700 payload group B.
My question is, how do I verify what axel ratio a truck has and how do I determine it has one of the 7,700 payload groups?
Thanks for your help,
Bill.
I’m going to be buying a 2003 F-150 SuperCab for my primary truck and to tow a RV. I want to find a truck that has the maximum towing capacity for that year and model.
According to my trailer life towing table, that is 8,500 lbs in a truck with the following:
5.4L V-8, 3.73:1 axle ratio and 7,700 payload group A,
OR
5.4L V-8, 4.09/4.10:1axle ratio and 7,700 payload group B.
My question is, how do I verify what axel ratio a truck has and how do I determine it has one of the 7,700 payload groups?
Thanks for your help,
Bill.
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Joined: Feb 2000
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From: Kansas
Welcome to the Forum Bill! 
You can check the tag on the axle for which gear ratio it has. 7700's are not that common and I think most are set up with 3.73 rear ends. The code on the door frame will also tell you what it has. When you find one with 7 lug wheels you are finding what you're looking for.
You can check the tag on the axle for which gear ratio it has. 7700's are not that common and I think most are set up with 3.73 rear ends. The code on the door frame will also tell you what it has. When you find one with 7 lug wheels you are finding what you're looking for.
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From: Louisville,Ky.
It will also have 7700 on the tailgate F150 badge.
Looks like you will need to find one with 4.10 gears that is included in the 2wd "Available with 7700 payload "Plus" Group B only". This will get you an 8600lb towing capacity. Sounds like you are borderline in need of a SuperDuty.
Looks like you will need to find one with 4.10 gears that is included in the 2wd "Available with 7700 payload "Plus" Group B only". This will get you an 8600lb towing capacity. Sounds like you are borderline in need of a SuperDuty.
Last edited by LxMan1; Sep 5, 2007 at 11:59 PM.
Post Fiend
Joined: Feb 2000
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From: Kansas
Originally Posted by LxMan1
Sounds like you are borderline in need of a SuperDuty.
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The tow capacity is a factory limit for those times it is used to that extent.
Knowing ahead of time what the loading might be for towing often, is not wise to use the weight rating limit as a absolute guide without condering a diesel motor for the much better performance it will give..
When you get out and tow at those high loads, you may have second thoughts.
Question is what will the gross combined weight be and not just the rating of the truck because you have to pull all the weight.
I tow at GVW as high as 12,000 lbs with a 4.6/3.55 combnination . While it does an admiral job, it's not the worlds fastest on the hills and is the time I could use more truck in the power department.
Just another way to look at it.
Knowing ahead of time what the loading might be for towing often, is not wise to use the weight rating limit as a absolute guide without condering a diesel motor for the much better performance it will give..
When you get out and tow at those high loads, you may have second thoughts.
Question is what will the gross combined weight be and not just the rating of the truck because you have to pull all the weight.
I tow at GVW as high as 12,000 lbs with a 4.6/3.55 combnination . While it does an admiral job, it's not the worlds fastest on the hills and is the time I could use more truck in the power department.
Just another way to look at it.
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Thanks everyone for your help. I went out looking today and ended up buying a 2000 F-150 with a towing GCWR of 13,000 lbs and a trailer weight of 8,300 lbs. I also bought a new 29 ft Jayco Feather that has a GVWR of 6500 lbs. So I have enough margin to be OK.
Thanks again.
Bill.
Thanks again.
Bill.
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