I have a 98 F150 short bed, 2 wheel drive, 3.55 gears, 4.2 and 5 speed. I just purchased a 3500lb car and I'm going to use a 2000 lb trailor to tow it. In my manual it says my combo is good for 3600 lbs of towing weight. However the same truck and 4.2 engine with an auto can tow 5800lbs which is more than I would need. My total weight being 5500. Obviously the engine is strong enough and the truck is capable, but is the clutch or 5 speed tranny that much weaker than an auto? My truck has never towed anything, so this will be the first time. I did purchase a class three hitch. This is a one time deal, I don't plan on towing anything this heavy again. I just want to get this car home that I bought. If I'm real easy on the clutch will I be ok? One last thing, in my manual is also says for my particular truck the 4.2 has about 100lbs more towing capacity than the 4.6. I find this a little shocking.
Thanks for any help.
Joe

 

the number is higher for the auto b/c ford does not want to waranty a clutch. my uncle tows about 4000 with a ranger and its a manual. you just need to know how to tow with the manual with out burning it up is all. besides that the towing capacity is about the same (auto vs. manual)

 

Thanks for the reply. I was hoping if I was easy on the clutch that it would be ok. That makes alot of sense about Ford puting a lower towing capacity on manual transmissions so they wouldn't have to replace the clutch under warranty if you towed to much.
Thanks again,
Joe

 

The reason your manaul shows a certain V6 has a little more towing capacity than some 4.6 is probably due to the gross combined weight (truck + whatever it is towing) being the same for each engine package.

For example for either the 4.2 or 4.6, GCWR = 10,000 lbs. V6 truck = 4,200 lbs, so max trailer is 5,800. V8 truck = 4,300 lbs., so max trailer is 5,700 (MY NUMBERS ARE MADE UP - Consult your manual).

Before you tow 5,500 lbs with a 5 speed V-6 you might want to consider a few other things. First, make sure you do not exceed the gross combined weight rating of the automatic that you are pretending your truck has. Secondly, make sure the rear axle weight will not exceed the rating. Third, make sure your tires can handle the weight. Fourth, if you have put tall tires on your truck, it will make it seem like your gear ratio is a lower number than 3.55. As your manual shows, trucks with the lower gear number have less weight rating.

Also, make sure that trailer really is 2,000 lbs and not 2,500 lbs (common weight for a car trailer)

Finally, I towed a 3,000 lb car with my automatic V6. I rented a 700 lb. tow dolley from U-haul and it towed like a dream. I think the dolley rent was about $125, but the one I got was excellent. I picked it up near where the car was and returned it near home, so I did not have to haul a trailer round trip. Driving to get there unloaded saved me driving time and gas.

Good luck!

 

Thanks for the reply. I appreciate any help i can get.