I'm new to the truck world and have a few basic questions I havn't been able to answer while searching.

My truck is a 2006 F150 4.6L Scab. From what I gather, I can put about 1000 lbs in the entire truck (bed and passengers included).

How much weight can I put in a trailer over long distances? Can I safely use my truck for pulling other cars out of the ditch, cars that are stuck in snow?

What type of hitch should I get? Someone told me to get a Class III Reese.

I don't plan on towing often, I want something I can conveniently attach tow straps on to if the need arises.

 

Class III/IV Reese is what you want.
FYI. you sound like you wanna be a hero. I wouldnt be too quick to offer up my tranny for free abuse. If you plan on pullin that many people out, better get paid for it.

And your total amount you can tow is in your Owner's Manual

 

It depends on the type of car (Civic - yes, Semi- no), angle of vehicles involved, and how much you know about recovery. You need to be careful you don't damage the other persons vehicle while attempting to pull them out, you can be held liable for any damages.

Before you try towing them out, try digging around the tires and giving it a push. You will be surprised how many vehicles can be freed with a little shovel work.

 

Haha, thanks guys. I was thinking more for occasional use and myself. I had to get pulled out of the mud the other day the tow truck driver was on his knees tying off to the frame...

Would have been a lot easier with a hitch.

 

so you don't have a hitch?


then your truck is only rated for 5,000 lbs...period.


You can add a hitch. the Class IV is rated to 10,000 lbs...but your motor/tranny/axle aren't rated for that loading

 

for a 2006 4.6l with 355 gears and 4x4 reg cab/bed(dont know if that makes a difference, its just what i have) you can tow 6,000 lbs with a hitch (not bumper)

 

since he doesn't have a hitch, his truck has the smaller trans cooler, and his bumper is only rated to 5,000 lbs.


were he to install a hitch, then he can safely tow roughly 6,400 lbs with a 4x2...and 6,100 lbs with a 4x4

 

Thanks, I recently checked out my owners manual and from what I can tell. With my CAB (Super cab), GEAR RATIO (3.73), WHEELBASE (144.5), TIRES (18's) and ENGINE (4.6L V8 4x4), I should be to do a GCWR of 12 200lbs and a trailer weight of 6200lbs.

Does that sound about right? Do I need a bigger tranny cooler?

Sounds like Tylus was almost right on the ball here...

I should be towing a speed boat once or twice a year, havn't gotten the exact weight of said boat, but from what I gather so long as boat and trailer combined I do not exceed 6200lbs, I can do this safely?

Also, is the transmission cooler that second radiator looking thing just above the front bumper? Doesn't look like it would be to hard to pick up a bigger one from a scrap yard and swap it in...

 

your truck is almost perfect for towing light loads already...just get that Class IV hitch


good to hear you have the 3.73 gears.



but how much can this boat weigh? the average 4-door car and double axle trailer combo is roughly 6,500 lbs...which to be honest, I think your truck would be perfectly happy towing all day long.

 

Thanks! Don't think the boat weighs that much. I see little Explorers and Subaru's towing bigger loads.

What would be a good trans cooler to swap in?

 

Just because they can doesn't mean they should

You can swap in a Superduty cooler, get the upgraded cooler for the F150 with a tow package, or go to any auto part stores and just get a bigger aftermarket cooler.

 

I'd grab the trans cooler from a F-150 with the 5.4 and towing package


should be a simple bolt-in and nothing custom required

 

anyone have a pic of the "bigger cooler"? I had a tow package on my truck from the dealer, does that mean i have the bigger one or does the bigger cooler only come with the 5.4?

 

the bigger one comes with the 5.4...it's part of a whole package deal


the 5.4 has a bigger trans and bigger rear axle...so that is the reasoning behind the bigger cooler on then



wish I could help, but I'm pretty sure I never snapped a pic of my old one