Hi, I was wondering if anyone out there has used their L. for any type of towing . The reason I'am asking is because I believe the brochure says it has a tow capacity of 5,000 lbs., but when I decoded the VIN number is show a 6,000 lbs. capacity.
Which is correct ? I would like to trailer some of my cars, but I want to be on the safe side. Thanks.

 

I've towed both my boat and a utility trailer with no issues, although both of these are well less than 5000lbs. Try that with a Vette! The only issue I had was with the height of the hitch ball, because the truck is so low to the ground. In the end I took a ball mount meant for a 4 wheel drive truck and turned it upside down. This raised the ball height and took a lot of weight off the tongue. Not knowing a lot about how they rate capacity, I can only say this- I've always understood the towing capacity to be 5000 lbs. Perhaps the 6000 lb. number you got from the VIN is a combined rating- 5000 lb. towing capacity + 1000 lb. payload = 6000lbs, but I don't know that for sure.

 

I tow a 20" enclosed trailer that is usually carrying a 69 Camaro and it tows fine.

 

There are two problems regarding the L and towing/hauling. Ford contracted to Goodyear to build the tires in the 295-45-18 size. The problem came in on the side wall loading. The other problem is the rear suspension travel. Stock with no load the L has about 2.5" of available rear axle trevel before you start to touch the bump stops. Ford has to figure that you have 800 lbs of stuff in the back and have a 5000 lb trailer with 10% tounge weight or 500 lbs on the hitch and then look at the suspension travel left and the tire loading. My buddy at ford that did the trasmission, He was towing a 7000 lb trailer from Detroit to Phoenix to Flagstaff to Denver to St Louis and back to Detroit for a full year. He also told me that the tire loading issue was so close that that was the reason that they never built a 4 door version of the L. They ran out of safety factor. I can tell you that with a light tonge load and about 5000 lbs trailer they tow just fine. I have towed a 20' HD flatbed car hauler with a new 2400# racecar (Neon ACR)at 12mpg and 65mph with no problem (300 miles)

Hope this helps

Andy

 

I tow my Grand National to the track all the time. I also towed it to Denver from Las Vegas. I have an 18' open trailer & the car weights 3400lb. I don't use overdrive when I tow and I got 12 mpg. The trailer is at least 1800lb. I did put on a Ranco Active Suspension just to be safe. Loren

 

Wow !!, that was some good info from all of you guys. Thanks alot. That why I realy like this board. Thanks again everyone.

 

I tow my stang to the track, not a problem.

i towed my friends 98 formula to canada it was fun Eh.

then i went back and picked it up, towed it from canada to bowling green and back to chicago.

All while my chip was in, not a problem with detonation or anything.

 

I always put on a set of 2000 SuperCrew 17" wheels/tires come snowmobile tow season. In your op, what extra do you think this will get me in terms of bed load, tongue and trailer capacity. Or, is the real issue with the lowered suspension and it's limitations. TIA

 

I tow also on a routine basis.

I did get the "active suspension" just in case.

The truck tows like a dream, i can pass cars doing 90mph without any problems. I do pull the chip before I tow tho... I also leave it out of O/D. The truck also has 2" drop shackles, which havent been a problem either.

Here are some pics... also, one for one of you GN fans out there too =)



and

 

The most that we have towed with the '01L is 2500lbs for 1200 miles. Didn't even know it was there.

On my wife's 94L, she has routinely towed 7500lbs with it with no problems (for long distances). The 94L is rated the same as the 99-01 ones. The secret here is a weight distribution hitch. On these trips you didn't hardly know the trailer was back there. She accelerated great, even going up hills. Even returned 11mpg average, and there are alot of hills between Phx and Goldfield, NV.

If you look at the hitch on the L, it will state maximum towing 5000lbs. However, it also says maximum towing with a weight distribution hitch is 8500lbs.

The weight distribution hitch eliminated the squat that causes the clearance problems in the rear.

 

I routinely tow my 93 & 94 Cobra's with a heavy A$$ open 18 foot trailer. I do however use a weight distributing hitch to keep the load off the rear of the L. Tows nice & even! I have NO Problems towing 70-75mph+. Since I live in Florida (hence no Mountains, Hills, ect.) I keep it in OverDrive. I get about 13mpg.

Remember.....FORD has always Under Rated their Tow Capacity!



2001 Silver Lightning
1994 Indy Pace Car COBRA
1993 Teal COBRA

 

How about a 98 SVT Contour and spare 3.0L motor.

 

I bought mine for a daily driver that could tow my toy on the weekend. It works great. I had to pass a slow moving van with a sailboat in tow the other weekend and that truck sure surprised me, my passenger even commented how he couldn't even tell we had about 4500lbs back there. Gas mileage is 10-12mpg when towing.