I have a 2001 Ford F-150 Super Crew with a 5.4L engine. The book says it can tow up to 7,700 lbs. but I am looking at travel trailers that weigh 7,200 lbs. + weight of cargo. Are there any official mods (that are recognized by the state) I can make to it that will increase my maximum towing weight? I was thinking along the lines of airbags but I heard that they do not increase max tow weight. Does anyone know what I can do?

 

not that i know of besides a 5th wheel hitch or buying an F250!

 

Nope, sorry but you just cant increase the capacity.

I had a 150 with the 5.4 Supercab that was rated for 8300 and my trailer is 7500-8000lbs. depending on wifes loading

...... see my signature line for my resolution to the problem.

A bit of Great advice that someone on here said: "Dont exceed 80% of your tow vehicles rating." ~ I wish I had been told that before I bought my trailer.

 

C'mon now - you don't mean that! Then you wouldn't have had that excuse to upgrade!!

 

You can add some "helper springs" or airbags, but they still won't increase your rated load capacity. They only help you stay more level with your max payload.

You probably have a GVWR of #6500 and a GCWR of around #13000. Once you hit just one of these limits, your done. You can't tow anymore trailer or haul anymore payload.

I tow a pretty light, #4500 soaking wet trailer, and I'm at the trucks GVWR of #6250 when it's ready to roll. I don't even really have much in the bed. Just some tools and some firewood.

IMO, towing anything with a 1/2 ton truck that weighs more then you do will not make for a very pleasent towing experience. Even with the most sophisticated hitch setup and heavy duty suspension parts, physics will still take over when that trailer wants to go someplace that the truck doesn't........

If you have the 3.55 gears and 17" tires, you'll kill your tranny really fast with that much trailer too. You should be looking for a smaller trailer or a larger truck IMO.

Good Luck!

 

I completely agree. The F-150 or any other light duty truck is just not going to give a safe or pleasent drive for an 8000# trailer on a regular basis. The brakes, suspension, and drivetrain components are all upgrade for more capability in the 3/4 ton and more trucks. Based on my experience, I would not use an F-150 for towing anything more than 5000 pounds on a regular basis.

 

Thats a fact; I lived it, it sucked.

 

"Coach thats the same way I feel!"


Well put.