I have a 1996 F150, short bed, regular cab, 4x4, with a 302, E40D Auto tranny and 3.55 gears with 31" tires.

The owners manual says with the above combo (sans the 31's), that this truck can tow 7100 lbs... I'm calling bulls*&t, since the truck probably barely weighs 4,000 lbs to my knowledge.

We are looking at buying a new boat in the spring and will be looking to tow about 4500 lbs. The trailer will be a tandem and have surge brakes.

Does anyone have any towing experience with the above set up or any insight on the realistic capacity?

I will only be doing local towing (less than 50 miles one way).

 

oh yea, I have a 5000 lb Draw Tite Class III hitch installed with a 2" ball, also with a 5,000 capacity.

 

You need to read more thoroughly. That 7100# applies only if the truck is properly loaded, including tongue weight. I've successfully towed over 10Kip with mine, and it has a shorter wheelbase, smaller engine, (numerically) lower gears, & a weaker non-OD trans.

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But, like anything else, experience is key. The truck can do a LOT of things that you might not be able to do with it. So if you're not familiar with towing in THAT truck, then you shouldn't learn by pressing its limits. 2 axles & surge brakes won't change the fact that the trailer can take control, and I've survived that mistake, too.



Either start practicing with smaller, lighter rental trailers now so you have some experience for later; or rent/buy/borrow a larger truck to tow the boat; or risk yourself/your passengers/your boat/other motorists.

 

I have towed tractors (about 3000 lbs with tractor and trailer) and other boats (about 3700 lbs with boat and trailer) with this truck before with no problem, just wanted to know its official towing capacity.

 

Those must be tiny tractors. A heavy trailer empty can weigh that much.That's about as official as it gets.

 

Just Wednesday I had a tri axle trailer with a Grand Am on it cause the tranny was blown. The trailer was about 3,500lbs and the car was between 2,500-3,000 lbs. The truck pulled it just fine but stopping was a whole other story

My truck has a 351W with 3.55's, extended cab and 31" tires.

 

Really? I haven't come across this combo. Figured it for the 4R70w. Can you double check the door jam sticker for having a U or E under the trans code block.

The mo' betta question is how much can your truck stop in a panic situation. Shortbox or a Bronc, I've had the warm and fuzzys even around 8k with a balanced load and good brakes.

Adrianspeeder

 

it was smaller tractor, but the trailer was a larger tandem axle farm trailer.. I am guessing I was towing around 3000 there. stopping was fine as long as I gave myself room... I am a lot happier towing something with brakes on it.... When pulling a friend of mine's wakeboard boat, its easy as pie stopping with the trailer brakes.. doesnt push whatsoever.

 

Thanks for all the input ya'll.