My F-150 is a 2006, 5.4Liter, 4x4 super crew,6.5 foot bed, 3.73 rear ratio. the manual said I can tow up to 9,200. I have a camper trailer that is 6,500 lbs dry. When I fully load up with fuel, water,passangers, and supplies, I estimated a weight of almost 7,500-8,000. My trip took me to the four corners area, and west. The truck ran fine, but I was always worried the weight was too much. RMP was 3-4K at 60-65 mph. Up hills,2 gear, at 35 mph, and 4-4.5 RMP. Does this all sound normal? Or am I over using this trucks capability?

 

It sounds to me you are doing just fine. The Tritons with the OHC design can really take the rpm's well. I used my 2003 F-250 for the same thing in Utah's high Uinta's up to 11,000 feet. Got up to nearly 5k rpms. Still got good mpg (9).

Yours is a better engine with the 3V heads! So, Enjoy!

 

According to Ford's Web site:
http://www.fordvehicles.com/trucks/f150/features/specs/
Your truck can take 1630#'s total weight for a GVW of 7200#'s

With a trailer weight of 6500#'s empty you will need between 650#'s and 1300#'s of tongue weight on the truck to haul it balanced correctly. This leaves you with only 330 to 980 pounds of truck capacity for passengers and food and luggage. I'm guessing that you weigh 200 lbs, so you might be over
weight with another passenger in your large cabin truck.

Most of these trucks far exceed the GVWR long before the GCVW is ever touched.

I'd say you have too much trailer for a 150. If you load it to 7500-8000#'s like you said those tongue weights go to 750 to 1600 lbs meaning you might be over weight before you sit in the driver's seat even with no passengers. You also need to look at your truck's hitch to make sure you don't exceed that either. Most common ball mounts/recievers are only rated for 6000#'s and 600#'s tongue but are available up to 14,000#'s.

If you exceed any of the manufacturer's ratings whether it be GVWR or GCVWR and your are involved in any acccident you will be at automatically at fault and subject to very large fines. In Colorado, these fines would exceed $2400 at the minimum to a maximum of $5800. These are DOT laws and not Colorado laws. What the manufacturer is saying with their weight rating numbers is that exceeding it is not safe for you or your vehicle.

 

If you are happy with the performance of your truck, don't worry about it. Personally, I wouldn't tow that much with my 5.4 because I just wouldn't be happy with the performance. If you feel comfortable and don't expect too much, I'd say it is safe. I wouldn't go any more than what you are doing as a max, though.

 

I have an 04 FX4 with 5.4L3v and I tow a 26 ft. 6500 lb. (actual) travel trailer just fine. Get at least a 1000 lb. weight distruting hitch and you should have no problems. You might look into a larger tranny cooler if you frequently tow in hilly terrain and definitely get some type of tranmission temp. gauge. Otherwise, you are just guessing about how the trans is doing.