4.2 towing manuall tranny

[jemos814]

i have a 2002 V6 4.2 F150 i may need to tow a vehicle, my question is will i be able to tow roughly 6000 pounds? the u-hual vehicle trailer is about 2300 pounds and the vehicle is a 77 corvette weighing about 3400 pounds... my truck is a manual transmission and i will be going about 330 miles and some of it through the CA mountains... coming from AZ any help would be appreciated thanks Jerome

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[glc]

*CAN* the truck tow it? Yes. Will it put the truck over maximum listed limits? Very much so. Here are the published limits:

Reg cab 2wd 3.08 axle - 2000#
Reg cab 2wd 3.55 axle - 3500#
Reg cab 4wd 3.31 axle - 2600#
Reg cab 4wd 3.55 axle - 3200#
Super cab 2wd 3.08 axle - 2000#
Super cab 2wd 3.55 axle - 3300#

The 4.2 with automatic has weight limits ranging from 4500# to 5700# depending on cab, 2wd/4wd, and axle ratio.

http://www.trailerlife.com/images/do...owingguide.pdf

The reason for the limits is the transmission input shaft. If U-Haul runs your truck through their calculator, they may not rent you the trailer. A standard Class 3 hitch has a 500# tongue weight limit and a 5000# trailer weight limit without weight distribution bars. I would NOT under any circumstances try to tow that much weight with a ball on the bumper.

I know people who HAVE towed 6000# with a 4.2 manual without incident, but I sure wouldn't try it in my truck in the mountains - I'd do it to get something across town but that's about it. If you do try this, plan for possible clutch and transmission issues - the rest of the truck will handle it no sweat.

[2008_XL]

So far I've towed a full 5x8 U-Haul trailer and a completely full bed from VT to FL (Going to TX). I know it's no where near the weight you're planning on towing but it's at the point now that I completely forget I'm towing anything... Except when I fill up the tank. Towing a trailer with A/C on ALL day really killed my mileage.

[glc]

So far I've towed a full 5x8 U-Haul trailer and a completely full bed

I did that several times between Chicago and Joplin 2 summers ago. That's reasonably close to the published limits and the truck handled it fine, except for some clutch stink trying to back the rig uphill.

[mudkickin4x4]

I think your be fine, ive pulled a car and i rotate 33s (3.55s)

[glc]

With a MANUAL transmission in the mountains, mudkickin?

[tarajerame]

if your towing from the Pheonix area thru Flagstaff you better plan on making the pull at night, and crossing past 29 palms towards barstow better be at night also if not your truck may end up hurting


I would not make that pull with your truck...

[mudkickin4x4]

my bad guys i forgot we were traveling through the mountains, oops

[dirt bike dave]

If the 'Vette is a decent roller, you can use a U-Haul tow dolly instead of the trailer. The dolly weighs about 700 lbs.

FWIW, I towed a '67 Mustang on a dolly with my automatic V6. Pulled it about 250 miles including over the Altamont Pass. Towed like a dream.

[ManualF150]

I've towed 6000# with my old '99. It was a boat, plus I've dragged it countless times out of the water from pretty steep launches.

The only problem I encountered was a little burning of the clutch -- however, I figured it out that if you set the parking brake and ignore it, and just go, you won't have to worry about sinking the truck and lets you focus on feathering the clutch properly. That was my tactic... plus it ain't really going to wear out the ebrake by doing it. I've forgot about the ebrake a couple times and drove 50+ miles and it was still fine... so ~100 feet ain't gonna hurt it.

Backing is another annoyance... I dunno why they made reverse so low of a gear -- I hated it before I put in my 4.10s. Even with 4.10s, it still gives me a pickle every once and a while, but not as much when I had the horrid 3.31s.

So if you know how to drive stick, and take it easy, it will do fine. Don't do jackrabbit starts, or anything.

I was able to pull that 6000# boat under 2500 rpms fine.

Plus the truck has 100k on it at the time. So contrary to the "published" limits, it makes me scratch my head.

Because there aren't any "published" capacities on the M5OD-R2. All I know is that the input shaft is kind of weak, but talking to many people, it's still very seldom that it will bust.

Plus, being when I was 16-17 years old, I tried killing that truck, by flooring it and popping the clutch (the rear end used to hop all the time), and it was impossible to kill. So if that ain't enough abuse, then, ha... towing 6000 lbs shouldn't be an issue.

Also, there's a dude on here running the M5OD-R2 with a 5.4l V8.

[glc]

Yes, and I think he's on his 5th rebuild.

Point is, if U-Haul does their job right (which is not a given) they won't rent you the trailer. They probably would rent you a dolly.

[matt153]

3500 lbs trailer with an full size bronco on it being towed by a v6 5sp with 3.08's turning 35'' goodyear MTR's...i was able to hold 75mph on the highway in 4th gear just fine. taking off was a different story though lol

[ManualF150]

I should have my local machine shop CNC me a new input shaft...

[glc]

What about the bearings?

[coonhound130]

I tow that much on my Bumber all the time for long distances with no problems at all . I don't like doing it but I do cause I haven't found a hitch for it yet as no one round here stocks them hardly .
I pull loads over 6,000 on regular basis with my tractor , horse trailer and hauling hay . I hauled 6 1,000 pound round bales today , up and down very steep hills on a 2,500lb trailer with no problems at all , backs up perfect , but I also am very good with a clutch . My truck never gives me any problem backing up with a load even up a hill , unless it is muddy . lol

You will be fine towing that little load , just take it easy with it . Trailer brakes are a life saver by way ..