Can I tow?
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Laughing Gas
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 873
Likes: 37
From: Ohio
Can I tow?
Thinking about getting a camper, but I'm thinking that my 95 F150 4x4 will probably not be able to pull it. It is a 300 straight 6, 5 speed manual. I know they have a lot of torque, but maybe not enough. The trailer is a 19' airstream, weight is around 4500# i think. Anyone try this before?
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 1,603
Likes: 1
From: St Louis
4500# s is quite a bit of weight for that year of 1/2 ton. You can do so but the damage to the Trans, frame, and suspension wouldnt be worth it. I would look into at least a light 3/4 ton personally, or even some of the newer heavy 1/2 tons 2004+ because they are basically light duty 3/4s.
FTE Legend
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 31,930
Likes: 1,499
From: Ottawa, Ontario
That is within the tow rating of that truck IF it has 3.55 or higher gears, but it's more likely to have 3.08 or 2.73 gears and towing with that gearing will drastically shorten the life of the clutch and trans. Installing gears in a 4x4 isn't cheap but it woud be far cheaper than buying another truck.
Posting Guru
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 1,781
Likes: 1
Like someone said check your rear end. I have a 94 F150 with a strait six and 5spd and I routinely tow a trailer and load that is in excess of 11500 lbs when the truck, trailer, and load is on the scale. But I have the 3.55 gears in her as well.
Posting Guru
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 1,781
Likes: 1
For me its all a matter of how you balance the load and how well you can shift. I have been doing it for quite a few years and I bought her from my uncle who used her for the excate same thing as I have and he bought her new. Only had to replace the clutch once with 114K miles.
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Laughing Gas
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 873
Likes: 37
From: Ohio
Good points. I'm not sure about the gearing, only had the truck for 1 1/2 years and only 5000 miles, and I never had a need to know. One thing I know is I need to give more gas when starting out, than I did with my 3/4 ton V8. I had not thought about the frame... guess the newer ones are boxed. Even though it's built Ford tough, may not be good enough for this job!
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Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 1,603
Likes: 1
From: St Louis
I guess I just like to go overkill so that I am not riding the limits of a vehicle but that is me. These trucks can take quite a bit before failure, but I prefer a larger margin for my personal preference.
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Post Fiend
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 7,021
Likes: 5
From: Almost Heaven
My '94 F-150 FlareSide with the 300, automatic transmission and 3.08 gear ratio with open differential was rated to tow 4,000 lbs, give or take 500 lbs.
Your '95 should have either 3.08 gear or 3.55. I would bet 3.55. Look at your pumpkin's tag. It will tell you. Because your truck is four-wheel-drive and paired with a manual, it is RATED to tow LESS.. But, if you have decent gearing and know how to drive a manual well, I see no reason why you shouldn't be able to safely tow 4,000. Just drive nice and slow and easy.
Your '95 should have either 3.08 gear or 3.55. I would bet 3.55. Look at your pumpkin's tag. It will tell you. Because your truck is four-wheel-drive and paired with a manual, it is RATED to tow LESS.. But, if you have decent gearing and know how to drive a manual well, I see no reason why you shouldn't be able to safely tow 4,000. Just drive nice and slow and easy.
Post Fiend
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 19,402
Likes: 38
From: Bonita Springs FL
I have actually towed a very similar size trailer behind my 300-powered trucks and it did fine. If you have 3.08 gears you can do it as long as you don't need to go up any hills or you aren't above 4000 feet or so. If you plan on doing either of those then you need 3.55 gears. Make sure you install a strong enough receiver hitch (do not tow this on the bumper) and a brake controller (it's not hard, but 100% necessary).
FTE Chapter Leader
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 11,273
Likes: 100
From: North Dakota
Here is a pic of what I pull with my 94 from time to time.. I do have a 30turd, and a auto though.. But I have a class IV hitch, elctric trailer brakes, and best of all an equalizer hitch.. I recomend getting one of those..
Here is a picture of the equalizer hitch. It pushes some of the tounge wt to the front tires of the pickup so it pulls ALOT better..
Here is a picture of the equalizer hitch. It pushes some of the tounge wt to the front tires of the pickup so it pulls ALOT better..
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Laughing Gas
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 873
Likes: 37
From: Ohio
Well thanks everyone. A lot to take in. Here is what I found out... I have the 3.08 diff and like I said the m5od tranny. I'm aware of the equalizer hitch, doesn't that just take off some of the tongue weight? I stiil would have to be able to pull the entire weight up the hills. I can't help but think of a friend of mine who was towing with his 1/2 ton Dodge and it got away from him (actually his wife). But I think it was too much trailer for his truck. I am pretty sure he had the equalizer. I already have a nice receiver hitch on the truck, so that isn't an issue. All things considered, if I had an automatic, it might be worth a try, but it may be a bit hard on my clutch. Brake controller would be a must, and I think I would want to beef up the suspension. It has a 4" lift and running 31" tires and honestly, it feels kind of soft with a load in the bed. (Guess I got used to my 3/4 ton.) I'm a novice when it comes to towing.. never pulled anything heavier than a pop-up camper, so this would really be a change for me.
FTE Chapter Leader
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 11,273
Likes: 100
From: North Dakota
Equalizer hitch takes some of the wt off the rear and pushes it to the front tires basically. And puts some of it back on the trailer axles. That pickup I was pulling is over 6500 pounds by itself, plus the trailer wt. I know its over the wt limit of the pickup a bit, but it handled really well. I could run 70 mph and it didn't wander one bit. But I have pulled lots of heavy loads with different rigs.