need help please badly
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need help please badly
ok here it is i have a 1987 f-150 4.9L V-6 4 speed trans standard cab long bed 2wheel drive no tag on the door ... now the truck from what i hear wieghs 4200lbs. anyhow i have a 24' 5200lb 2 axle trailer any idea if this truck will pull the trailer i do know the inline 6 4.9 is one of fords more reliable motors and a good work horse but is it possible that this truck could pull the trailer listed above or anywere i could find out more like the gcwr on this truck roughly
thanks
thanks
Cargo Master
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 2,512
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From: Cook Forest and Irwin PA
the best that year range got with a 2wd 6 was around 6000lbs, so its theoretically possible...
but what is your axle?
and by 4sp is this an auto (we hope so - u have a chance_ or manual (no way)
5200lb travel trailers like to stick about 750lbs on the hitch so you will need a WD hitch
but what is your axle?
and by 4sp is this an auto (we hope so - u have a chance_ or manual (no way)
5200lb travel trailers like to stick about 750lbs on the hitch so you will need a WD hitch
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its a f-150 manual transmission 4spd i have heard ppl saying they pulled that much with it but not sure cant find nothin on it or any info have looked for a day and nothing .. try to pull a 5200 pound trailer with it sholdnt be to hard but not sure i use to pull years back with a 94 4spd 4.9 a 23' landscape trailer with alot on it like 3500-4000 lbs but that was so long ago need to find out about the one listed above as i dont want to waste money on hitch if i cant do it
Freshman User
Joined: Sep 2008
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I just bought a 91 F150 that seems to be a similar set up to yours (4spd with I6). The guy I bought it from said he pulled a double axle trailer with another car and all of his stuff to San Diego from Wisconsin. Considering he told me this before I purchased the truck, I sort of have cause to believe him.
Granted, I've only had the truck for a few weeks, but it seems to be OK. It shifts smooth enough. I say "enough" because driving these things is more akin to driving a tractor than something that most car people would consider smooth no matter what the shape of the tranny is.
Point is, the truck can do it. With the right rear end, it can do it well. Yeah, it won't be much fun with a manual, but I think if you can pay attention to some of the more important variables (like speed, incline grade, and duration of pulling) then you can make it work.
My 2 cents...will post back here if my tranny self destructs any time soon
Granted, I've only had the truck for a few weeks, but it seems to be OK. It shifts smooth enough. I say "enough" because driving these things is more akin to driving a tractor than something that most car people would consider smooth no matter what the shape of the tranny is.
Point is, the truck can do it. With the right rear end, it can do it well. Yeah, it won't be much fun with a manual, but I think if you can pay attention to some of the more important variables (like speed, incline grade, and duration of pulling) then you can make it work.
My 2 cents...will post back here if my tranny self destructs any time soon
Postmaster
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From: raymond alberta
my uncle towes a 20ish foot fifth wheel camper around gotta way about that much hes got a 96 with the I6 and 5speed manual...but in the first post it says V6? if its an inline im sure it will pull but a V6 probably wont
FTE Legend
Joined: Jun 2006
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From: Ottawa, Ontario
There were no V6 engines in these trucks so it's the 4.9 straight 6 you are talking about.
In general this is a good motor for pulling loads, but a lot depends upon the rear axle gearing. If it's 3.55 or more you're good to go, but an awfull lot of the I6 trucks got 3.08 or even 2.73 gears, and that kills pulling power and accelerates transmission wear. You will find an axle code on the drivers door pillar, and also a tag on one of the rear axle cover bolts with the gear ratio info.
In general this is a good motor for pulling loads, but a lot depends upon the rear axle gearing. If it's 3.55 or more you're good to go, but an awfull lot of the I6 trucks got 3.08 or even 2.73 gears, and that kills pulling power and accelerates transmission wear. You will find an axle code on the drivers door pillar, and also a tag on one of the rear axle cover bolts with the gear ratio info.
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From: raymond alberta
[quote=Conanski;6608595]There were no V6 engines in these trucks so it's the 4.9 straight 6 you are talking about. [quote]
my bad did not know that
my bad did not know that
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Cargo Master
Joined: Jun 2002
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From: Aurora,Colorado
My Ford Recreation Vehicle and Trailer Towing Guide for 1992 F150 states that a manual transmission F150 , 4.9, 4x2 isnt rated to pull a trailer.
An Automatic 4x2 F150 with the 4.9 rated is rated to pull 4700 pounds with 3.08 axle and 5700 pound trailer with the 3.55 axle.
The 1992 F250 with 4.9,4x2, manual tranny and 4.10 gears was rated at 5400 pound trailer
I dont think that the 1987 and 1992 F150 4.9 would be very different in ratings -if at all. The 1992 F150s could still be equipped with the T18 granny first gear tranny from the factory.
An Automatic 4x2 F150 with the 4.9 rated is rated to pull 4700 pounds with 3.08 axle and 5700 pound trailer with the 3.55 axle.
The 1992 F250 with 4.9,4x2, manual tranny and 4.10 gears was rated at 5400 pound trailer
I dont think that the 1987 and 1992 F150 4.9 would be very different in ratings -if at all. The 1992 F150s could still be equipped with the T18 granny first gear tranny from the factory.
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Joined: Apr 2004
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motor is no problem it'll pull , but the clutches in these are pretty wimpy , especially if you have to back the load much , never understood why they made them so weak speaking as one who has owned a few of these and put clutches and tranny's in them.
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