The regular F150 sb/standard cab has a tow capacity of 8500 and we are limited to 5000. Is it the tires, suspension, or what? Cant see it being the frame, rear end, tranny or engine since all but he frame are from heavier dutier vehicles and the frame is same as the regular F150.

I'm curious cause we go camping and tow a camper but don't want to over stress the vehicle and if its the tires, I can get some just for towing.

By the way, towed a 5000# camper last weekend and got 8mpg. Lots of hills involved and she didn't hesitate to accelerate going up ANY hill, with enough pedal. Rock solid also, even in windy conditions. Passed some Toyota 4x4's that couldnt keep up going up a couple of the real steep hills, it was fun to see the look on their faces as a truck with a trailer passing them in the fast lane..........

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Go Hard or Go home........
*Red 2000 SVT Lightning
*Leer Lo-Rider Bed Cover
*Swanson Performance Chip
*Adopted 3/29/00, #221
*352RWHP / 432RWTQ with Chip
-98 Mustang GT Convertible, 4.6L Supercharged with FRPP Eaton M112 @ 10psi, 310rwhp/350rwtq
to many other handling/engine mods to list.....

 

My guess would be the lowered suspension would possibly bottom out if it got too heavy.

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Red '00 Lightning,
Power Surge Performance enhanced,
Sound effects provided by Flowmaster,
375 RWHP,
445 RWTQ,
13.227@103.55
Track Videos

 

Do you know how long the camper you towed is?
What kind of elevation and grades did you tow at? I am also curious to know if you found the supercharger noise (or intake noise) to much for the ears to take for a prolonged period of time. 8 mpg is about right for towing that load.

Mike

 

I'm pretty sure its due to the lowered suspension and the sidewall strength of the lower profile tires.

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Tim Stooksbury
'00 White L #4003/4966
'95 Z28 w/mods
'90 CRX HF beater

 

My guess is that the Goodyear F1s have a lower load rating than a light truck tire.

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'00 Lightning - 13.110 @ 105.91
'92 Stealth Turbo - 13.4 @ 103
'99 Z28 - 13.7 @ 107

 

you have to consider the brakes, tires, suspension, cooling systems, trailer hitch, and weight of the vehicle towing the trailer. The regular f150 with the towing capacity of 8500 pounds isn't a regular cab flareside. The towing vehicle has to be able to safely stop and handle the trailer in quick manuevers. That is how they usually figure towing capacities. You could tow over 5000 lbs, but not too much more than that with a class III hitch and it wouldn't be safe.

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2000 White lightning #4494
Born on 8/3/00
Delivered 10/18/00
Stock except for Line-X (but not for long hehe!!!!)

 

It has to do with the suspension being lowered and set up for handling. The F1’s actually have double thickness sidewalls so we can tow. Most “Z” rated tires won’t allow you to tow much more than 2000 pounds. BTW it’s definitely not the brakes. Remember the L has the brakes off of a F250 Superduty.

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Red '00 Lightning
#1388/4966
14.020 @ 97.97 mph B4 mods
A.R.E. LSII tonneau
K&N
Mobil 1