Max Towing
Freshman User
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 40
Likes: 0
From: Foley U.S.A
Max Towing
i have a 86 F-150 with a efi 460 swapped into it with around 500hp and a E4OD in it i have heavy duty springs and extra leaf springs in the back. I have a reciever hitch and trailer brake setup on it what can i tow. i have 3.73 and 31in tires on it
Elder User
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 755
Likes: 1
From: Campbell, California
Max Towing
A big engine with more HP then stock does not mean you can tow more, just better. What ever the stock tow rating was before the engine swap is what it is now. The F-150's frame and brakes are the limiting factor of what your truck can tow. Since you have bigger tires then stock, your tow rating will drop a little more from stock.
Senior User
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 251
Likes: 0
From: Massachusetts
Max Towing
>A big engine with more HP then stock does not mean you can
>tow more, just better. What ever the stock tow rating was
>before the engine swap is what it is now. The F-150's frame
>and brakes are the limiting factor of what your truck can
>tow. Since you have bigger tires then stock, your tow rating
>will drop a little more from stock.
What if you "box weld" the frame and add larger brakes. Will that increase the towing capacity?
>tow more, just better. What ever the stock tow rating was
>before the engine swap is what it is now. The F-150's frame
>and brakes are the limiting factor of what your truck can
>tow. Since you have bigger tires then stock, your tow rating
>will drop a little more from stock.
What if you "box weld" the frame and add larger brakes. Will that increase the towing capacity?
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 1,986
Likes: 43
From: maryland
Max Towing
correct me if im wrong but....
by changing the motor you can now tow less then before. your new motor weighs more so you can now tow that much less( tyhe difference in engine weight)
by changing the motor you can now tow less then before. your new motor weighs more so you can now tow that much less( tyhe difference in engine weight)
Senior User
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 139
Likes: 0
Max Towing
you can tow a hell of a lot with a 150 if you have a weight distributing hitch and such and take your time. Just don't be an idiot about it and it should be fine. What your truck is rated at is the governmetns safety crap. I towed 10k with my 91 150 on 35's. Take the corner slow and stay away from hills. The tranny cooler is a very goo thing though. Also, don't try to take off too fast, with that power you might snap an u-joint of a half ton.
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Elder User
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 755
Likes: 1
From: Campbell, California
Max Towing
>you can tow a hell of a lot with a 150 if you have a weight
>distributing hitch and such and take your time. Just don't
>be an idiot about it and it should be fine. What your truck
>is rated at is the governmetns safety crap.
Yeah, that government safety crap, as you call it, is what your insurance company will quote to you when they refuse your claim if your involved in an accident with an overloaded vehicle.
>distributing hitch and such and take your time. Just don't
>be an idiot about it and it should be fine. What your truck
>is rated at is the governmetns safety crap.
Yeah, that government safety crap, as you call it, is what your insurance company will quote to you when they refuse your claim if your involved in an accident with an overloaded vehicle.
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Junior User
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 83
Likes: 0
Max Towing
People forget about the machanics of the vehicle.
They have really tightened up the reg's here...
one reason is people think that well if I can hook
on to it I should be fine.
I know of certain person that was sold a small 5th
wheel to pull with his Ranger...the dealer airbagged
the truck so it looked fine.
The truck had very little power but it pulled..
The bad news was a rear axle wheel bearing overheated
and he lost an axle in the mountains.
The wheel came off and they ended up going down the
on-coming lane laying on the guard rail. Lots of damage
and lots of fear.
They have a 250 with floating axles now...
They have really tightened up the reg's here...
one reason is people think that well if I can hook
on to it I should be fine.
I know of certain person that was sold a small 5th
wheel to pull with his Ranger...the dealer airbagged
the truck so it looked fine.
The truck had very little power but it pulled..
The bad news was a rear axle wheel bearing overheated
and he lost an axle in the mountains.
The wheel came off and they ended up going down the
on-coming lane laying on the guard rail. Lots of damage
and lots of fear.
They have a 250 with floating axles now...