What can an F150 really tow? What's the most weight that you guys have had on the 4 wheel drive models without the truck sagging in the rear? Assuming that you have at least a 6.5' bed and that maybe some people tow gooseneck trailers.

Let's be realistic, if I tow heavy things really often (such as a Fifth Wheel toy hauler(loaded), or a car trailer with about 8000lbs on it like twice a week) should I just get a 3/4 ton truck? I think just about everything except the dodges look good. So looks aren't a reason not to. I could care less about the money because I need it to perform right and not break.

 

If you are towing 8000lbs a couple times a week, then yes you should get a F250. I do tow our Bobcats with mine, but only if I have to. Most of the time I use either my work truck for conventional trailers ("bumper hitch") or my fathers F350 if I have to use the gooseneck.

 

Well I own a 2wd with a 5.5ft bed, so Im lighter than a 4x4 with a 6.5ft bed. With that said, the 5.4L in my opinion is the weak link for the F150. THe frame and suspension of the truck will handle heavy loads, but the lack of power will be the limiting factor. Ive towed a 6000lb enclosed trailer several times with a electronic brake controller of course, and I would say that would be about the max I would feel comfortable towing without having issues merging into traffic and whatnot. Also even with 3.73 gears this truck begs for another gear. OD is useless with a heavy load, and running in 3rd gear all day cannot be good due to the high rpms, so I think a 5 or 6 spd trans would really have an advantage over the traditional 4spd, especially in a heavy truck like ours.

If you plan to tow anything over 6000lbs regularly, especially if you plan to tow over any sort of grades, get a 3/4 ton.

 

its not the motor at all

the weak points are in this order

1. transmission
2. brakes
3. rear axle

 

Agreed!

 

Like I said, the engine and transmission are what prevent this truck from living up to the 8000lb+ tow rating. THe brakes may be a factor, but with good trailer brakes, its not a huge setback. The rear axle, Im not saying that is isnt a factor, but for towing heavy loads, the engine and transmission are the limiting factor. With 300HP/365LB you can only do so much when the truck already weighs 5500+ lbs

 

there is nothing wrong with the 5.4 engine, coupled to the zf6 or auto used in the SD pickups, its not an issue. If it can power the MUCH heavier SD trucks it is plenty for an F150. Its everything else that is the weak points, especially the tranny and brakes.

And dont underestimate the importance of brakes, even if you have brakes on your trailer

The 5.4 modular engine this year puts out more HP than the 460 ford did for most of its lifespan, granted it put out more torque

 

Do you have any clue what you are talking about ?

How do you gather those are weak points ?

 

Fifth wheels in half ton pickups are a bad idea IMO.

Realistic tow ratings? For my truck, I take whatever the factory rating is based on gear/engine/tires and knock off 2000 lbs - in my particular case, I think that's like 6700 lbs. If I need to move over three tons of something on a regular basis, I want a bigger truck.

I think you're cruisin' for a bruisin' if you're maxxing out "towing capacity" on any truck, especially a half ton with it's lower load rated suspension and smaller brakes than a three quarter or one ton pickup.

 

Agreed.

 

I also agree 100%. I'm waiting for someone on here to slap a custom 5 speed trans on their truck.

 

I'm waiting to do a diesel/6speed swap ~'09

 

I have a 2WD Lariat 5.4 with the 3.55. My truck can't tow worth a crap. I average 12mpg or less towing a 2500lb trailer. It won't stay in OD on even the slightest grade. It has absolutely no power with even the slightest load placed on/in/behind the truck. Even without a load, with an exhaust, intake & Troyer XCalII, my truck is underpowered. Who knows, maybe my truck is a bad example? All I know is, there is NO WAY I would recommend a 5.4 to tow 6000lb+ on a regular basis. I have no experience whatsoever with the V10 so that would leave the 250 diesel. My father had a F250 with a 5.4 & he sold it for no other reason other than it being under powered. He loved the truck but it was down right dangerous to drive with any load on it at all. If no one else makes it crystal clear, I will: Get a F250 with a diesel if you tow 6000lb & up on a regular basis. I would actually recommend the DuraMax 6.6/Allison over the PSD 6.0. The F250 truck is a better truck than the Chevy/GMC but the DuraMax is far & away, no contest a better engine/trans.

KC-10 FE out...

 

Sometimes I tow a Vietnam era Heavy Battle Cruiser with my F150.

 

You asked two questions:

Question 1: my 1500lb boat will cause the rear of the truck to begin to sag.. on my 4x4 SCREW.. I'm afraid to see what the mustang and car hauler will make it do, I'm seriously considering firestone riderite airbags for that reason.

Question 2: " Fifth Wheel toy hauler(loaded), or a car trailer with about 8000lbs on it like twice a week" <--- You have no business looking at an F150 if that is your need, not saying that to be snotty. I had an F250 screw diesel and if I towed that much I'd still own it no ifs ands or buts about it. Heck if I towed 1000lbs 2x/week I'd still own the diesel, this F150 can't stay in OD up the slightest grade at 70mph.