I have a 4.6L, 2wd Screw. We are looking at travel trailers and I would like some advise as to how much weight would be acceptable. The Ford spec for max towing is 6600 lbs. I would like to get something that can be towed with relative ease. Terrain locally is mildly rolling but would probably tow to the NC mountains some.

I have been looking for something less than 3500 lbs dry but I wonder if I am being too conservative. We looked at a 24 ft last night and liked it but it weighs about 4000 dry.

I would be interested in recommendations for unloaded travel trailer weights and experiences from other screw owners.

------------------
2001 Supercrew, 4x2 XLT
4.6, Arizona Beige with Deep Wedgewood Blue Accent
Options: CD Changer, LS Diff, Towing Package, 2 tone paint, 47F appearance package, 5 spoke cast wheels
New seats with front and rear adj. head rests
Built ~11/04/2000
Mods: Line-X, Advance Cover

 

I have a 2000 5.4, 3.55 4X4, ORP with a 7200 towing capacity and I am towing a Fleetwood Wilderness which is about 6000lbs dry and about 6500-6700 loaded and my truck pulls it with ease. I even towed it up the Cajon Pass in California (very steep long grade) with no problem. You could probable get away with towing a 5000lb trailer. The 5.4 has much better torque than 4.6 but you have a 4X2 so it might handle 5000lbs. You might want to upgrade your shocks. I went with Bilstein and the stiffer shock makes it ride and handle better, especially when towing.

------------------
2000 F150 XLT SuperCab, Short Bed, 4X4, ORP, 5.4L, Auto Trans, 3.55LS, Captains Chairs with power drivers seat, rear slider, class III towing package, remote entry with alarm and just about everything you can get on this truck. Added a Ford bug deflecter, floor mats, a Dynamax Race magnum muffler and 3" mandrel bent pipes, Superchip, K&N FIPK Gen II, Bilstein shocks, Redline Synthetic oil, Kenwood stereo system, an MTX Thunder 204 4 channel amp, ProComp AT 33/12.50/17 tires and 17X8 American Racing Python wheels.

 

I have a 31ft Montana travel trailer that weighs in at 7360lbs loaded. but I have the 2wd with the 5.4. I have had no problems with hills yet, but I'll find out when I pull up to Cherokee N.C. I would think you should have no problem with 5000lbs or so. You might want to check out some of the new pop-ups out there. The wife and I looked at some and were really impressed, some even have slide outs.

------------------
SCREW LARIAT, TOWING PKG 6 DISK CHANGER, LEATHER BUCKETS, WESTIN CHROME STEPS, CATCH ALL'S (GRAND KIDS), BED LINER, VENT SHADES, EGR BUG DEFLECTOR

 

I have a 30' Wilderness that I have pulled to Lake Powell and back with my Expedition that has the 5.4. The trailer had enough food and supplies for 10 days of camping with 4 passengers on the way there and 5 on the way back! Had both A/C's blowing most of the time and OH BY THE WAY, this was in the middle of July and, much to my delight, she never skipped a beat! Haven't had the chance to hookup the SCrew yet but I have no doubts with the same 5.4 that it can't handle it. With the increase in HP for the 4.6 I would think it could easily handle a 3500lb TT. Good luck and have fun!

------------------
1999 Expedition XLT, 5.4, Oxford White, LLS
2001 SuperCrew XLT, 5.4, Metalic Silver, Gen III (Loaded - Even has Rear Ent. Sys!)
1999 30' Wilderness Travel Trailer

[This message has been edited by n6van (edited 05-22-2001).]

 

We used to pull a 22 foot trailer with our 98 supercab and then got this older 31 foot that we pulled 4000km on our vacation last summer. we now have the supercrew with the 5.4L and towed it about 500 km so far this year. I wouldn't hesitate to fit yourself into that 24 ft.

http://www3.sympatico.ca/deboers/images/crewtr3.jpg
http://www3.sympatico.ca/deboers/images/crewtr6.jpg

------------------
2001 Silver XLT 2x4 SuperCrew (Gen II) 5.4L 3.55LS Tow Package (now with 2.02" rad) & Cab Steps

Mods: K&N Filter, LoRider by Raider Fiberglass Tonneau, Stull Billet Grille (Black)

Tow: 31FT. Glendette Deluxe Camper Trailer

[This message has been edited by CanadianSCrew (edited 05-22-2001).]

[This message has been edited by CanadianSCrew (edited 05-22-2001).]

 

Be sure to put electric brakes on whatever you get, you'll need them if you come down Black Mountain.

R

 

Hey arbee,

I had a '97 F-150 SuperCab with the 4.6 and pulled a 6000' travel trailer with it even into the NC mountains.

I now have a SuperCrew with the 5.4.

The 4.6 handled it just fine. You might want to keep your empty weight down to 5500lbs. If you take I-40 into Ashville, you will probably slow down to about 35mph climbing the steep mountain that is right before Ashville.

Check out my web sight for more towing info.

 

That new 4.6 is a lil stronger than what I had in my 98 F150 4WD. I towed a 4700lb TT dry weight with it and it did pretty good. You could tell it was back there when going thru the hills.

My SCrew is a BEAST!! Went to Dollywood and was moving right along! I dont think you will have a problem with anything under 5000lb dry. You might wanna get a single cat back system and maybe chip it.

Going to Spruce Pine this weekend, and will be hitting some good inclines, so we will see what this truck will really do.

Check out this site, www.irv2.com it has a great forum!






------------------
01 SCrew Lariat 4WD
Arizona Beige/Wedgewood Blue
5.4L 3.55LS
Tow Package
Moonroof
Slider
Cab Steps

Mods:
Line X
Gibson SS Exhaust
Catch-All Floor Liners
L Tail Lights (fronts and corners are on order)