I am pulling a 4500lb camper with my Ford 150 V-6,3.55 rear, and a strandard tranmission. I am wondering if I have anything to worry about. My GVRW is 7800lbs. Let me know if anyone has any sugessions. I have weight diss. on it and it seems to pull well. Let me know. Thanks.

 

Eeeeaaaiiiyyy !!!
Didn't you read my Trailer weight thread that was worthy of a sticky?


I say again,
Eeeeaaaiiiyyy !!!

 

I have been pulling it and have had no problem. The dealership said I shouldn't have any problems.

 

The only concern you should have is with the clutch.... That's the main reason for the very low 'tow ratings' the manuals have. If you drive the clutch right, then it should be ok for the most part. It'll wear out faster then not towing of course, even if you are a pro because it's working a ton harder then it was ever really designed to...

If you are satisfied with the performance, then that's half the battle right there.....

I know I tow my #4500 camper with a automatic 5.4 and I know the sucker is back there!! Most of the steeper grades I'm reduced to second gear and a steady 50-55 mph without really pushing it. Could not imagine how that would be with a V6, but there you go...

Good luck!

Mitch

 

My dad pulled a trailer/5th that size for years with a straight 6 f-150 w/manual tranny. He never replaced the clutch in it. (replaced the rear end, but that was my fault) I think a lot of people today don't drive a clutch right and Ford doesn't want to be responsable for it.

On steep grades don't expect to do more than 40ish mph. My dad ran about 35mph going up mountain grades (cabbage hill I-84). I think that old 84 f-150 had a 308 rear. I wouldn't suggest pulling anything heavier than that if you're doing any major highway traveling.

 

Thanks for the advice guys.

 

I totally agree that it is all about the clutch. The worst part is backing the trailer. I'll never understand why reverse gear is faster than first gear!! Way too fast. So you wind up doing a lot of clutch bumping when backing the trailer. I put mine in low range (it's a 4x4) just to get the gear reduction when backing.

 

I agree backing is not good for the clutch but so far it had been O.K. Also some people don't geer it down when going up a steep climb and that will burn the clutch up. I also geer down when I lose power in climbing. Acadianabob you must be from Louisiana. So am I. Got the french name.

 

Troymeaux, I'm a pretender man. We have a Cajun band up here in Minneapolis believe it or not. I love chank a chank. I play the Cajun accordion. Got one from Marc Savoy. Check out our web site.

www.newriversideramblers.com

We got CD of the year from the Cajun French Music Association last year.

 

I just got bavk from a long trip with my camper. I took me 4 hours to get there and 4 hours back. That V-6 engine ran great. I had to climb two steep bridges but I had a running start and didn't even have to greer down. I know they tell me that I am over loading that truck by 1100lbs but I went there and back with no problems. I did give it a tune up before I left and I had a lot more power. I got 11 miles to the gallon and that is running the AC the whole time. I was happy with the performance and I just wanted you guys to know that I am proud of my V-6 standard transmission.

 

All I can say is are you crazy I only towed one time with my truck and that was about 3 years ago. I towed a uhaul trailer the biggest one they got the 6'by12' enclosed and I have a 4.6 with an auto I could feel that sucker back there even when empty and it strugled on the hills as it wouldn't do the 70 mph on the interstate I had to drop down to 3rd gear and do 55 up the hills.

 

55 is not a problem. You should not be pulling that fast anyway. 55 up hill is fine for me and I think that the truck is very much under rated in towing ability.