Can anyone tell me what my towing capacity would be for a 2001 F150 4.6 V8 4X4 with a manual tranny S-cab.

 

If I remember correctly, the Ford manual lists 3500 lbs as the "rated" towing capacity with the 5-speed manual. That being said, I've pulled twice that much with no problems. I don't think Ford has any faith in the clutch they put in the '97-'03.

 

If you properly know how to shift your truck without riding the clutch, then I wouldn't be afraid to pull 6,000lbs regularly with it.

 

I could swear that 3500 lbs can easily be doubled for you're combo. If I remember right, my combo, 2000 reg cab 4x4 flareside with 5.4 auto, can pull like 8800 lbs or something, I don't see a 4.6 bieng that much less, or a 5 speed even. Hell, I think the Lightning was rated for 5500 lbs plus a payload of 500 lbs or something. I can't say because I don't tow with mine, but when it's too much, you'll know. A car on a car trailer, yup, a 40 ft cabin cruiser on a trailer, don't try it.

 

The factory tow ratings estimates are low balled, for liability purposes.

 

Before the diesel the '97 dragged around 10k no problem. M5OD didn't complain a bit, but needed low range to back the trailer on a hill.

Adrianspeeder

 

What kind of towing capacity does my 2005 F-150 extended cab. With the 5.4 litre, 4x4, automatic.

 

Just got off the phone with one of the local dealerships and he said I can tow up to 2900 lbs for a manual transmission 4.6 V8 S-cab 4X4

 

2900 lbs? That seems really low. Like someone mentioned above, the factory recommended tow ratings are underestimated for liability issues. But keep in mind your towing ability really depends more on your brakes' ability to stop you and your suspension's ability to support the weight rather than your engine's ability to pull you.

 

Wow...according to F150.net, a freakin' Ford Ranger w/ the 4.0 liter v-6 and a manual tranny can tow more than that. What the hell???

Upon further inspection, it looks like the 2007 4.6, Manual Tranny Screws were rated at more than double the 2900lbs you mentioned... Granted, your truck is not an '07, but I don't think they improved them THAT much.

What does your factory owner's manual say? My '99 4.6 liter 4x4, automatic is spec'd at 6300lbs, per the towing info I found on the web.

Good luck, 2900lbs sounds absurdly low.

Mike

 

Ford has never made a manual tranny Screw ever. And the only 2007 availble with a stick is a V-6.

 

You all need to look at this a dfferent way.
There is a gross combined weight listing for every truck combination.
You have to weigh the truck then add the driver weight and any other weight that will be included.
Subtract this from the gross combined weight allowed and that is the trailer weight that is allowed with considerations for tire size.

The weight for loading the truck only is the total of the gross weight rating on the sticker minus the weight of the truck and any passengers and gear.

My 02 super crew weighs 5400 lbs with some gas in the tank.
The gross combined weight allowed is 11,600 lbs for towing and based on the engine size, the trans, gear ratio, tire size and being a 4x4..
If you allow, for example, 4 in the cab at a total of 600 lbs, then 5400 + 600 = 6000 lbs.
11,600 - 6000 = an allowed trailer weight of 5600 lbs to meet the gross combined weight factory rating.
With only a 200 lb driver, add 400 to the trailer weight and it goes to 6000 lbs.
So your legal trailer weights per Ford vary with the truck loading.
State law may modify this in some places but Fords reccomendations are based on the trucks abilty to brake, trans durabilty for reasonable life, tire loading, axle bearing capacity etc.
If for example you were to be stopped and weighed, the station may have all the info on your model and would handle the total weight measured accordingly

 

Doesn't anyone read their owner's manual anymore??
According to page #128 of the 2001 owner's manual, a supercab 4x4 with a manual transmission has two possible tow ratings: with the 3.31 rear end, it's rated to tow 1600 lbs, and with the 3.55 rear end, it's rated to tow 2900 lbs.

The problem isn't the chassis or the axle, it's the weak M5OD manual transmission. Slipping the clutch isn't the issue either: It's a weak overall transmission design, ill-suited to hauling ot towing a lot of extra weight. The shaft bores get oblong very easily when putting a lot of power, torque, or weight behind the truck. It's just not suited to towing or hauling.

Ask JMC how many times he's pulled his trans out. He doesn't haul or tow much at all, but he replaced the 4.6 with a 5.4 and drives it like he stole it.

Exceeding the factory recommendation with that trans isn't doing it any favors, that's for sure.

-Joe

 

Joe, I don't know if your referring to me but towing and loading are two different things.
Believe me, I have a class 2 lics on the truck for inter state and bridge determination, and tow the full 11,000 lbs and then some.
You have to look into these things fully because it's not all in the manuel.
The way I have illistrated is the way towing is determined or you would never get the use your truck is rated for.
I have all the specs for my year and models with both motors and gear ratios and tire sizes and load ratings.

 

Yes Bluegrass, the M5OD-R2 isn't a ZF, and putting big power in front of it isn't the best thing for gettin mileage out of it, but dang it we ain't broke one yet and I don't drive the '92 or '97 like a grandma...

Adrianspeeder