I read my owners manual on how to figure the tow capacity of my truck. The manual says to have your truck weighed and subtract that number from the GCWR numbers listed on the chart posted on the next page. I had the truck weighed and came back to see what the total will be. Well, I found two listings for my truck! Which number is it??? Can anyone help???

The first line reads:
4.6L engine, 3.55 rear axle ratio, 10,000 Maximum GCWR and 5,500 Maximum trailer weight.

The second line reads:
4.6L engine, 3.55 rear axle ratio, 11,500 Maximum GCWR and 7,000 Maximum trailer weight.

The truck information is as follows:
4.6L engine, 3.55 rear axle ratio with automatic transmission and the towing package. The truck weighs 5547 with everything I would need to take with me.

Can anyone help me????????????

 

I was wondering if it would make a difference if I removed the 4.6L engine and installed a 5.4L or bigger?

Thanks for any help with this.

 

I forgot to mention that my truck is a 1997.

 

I believe that the factory tow package puts you in the 7000# range.

 

It looks like one is for manual transmissino and the other automatic with the auto having the higher ratings. 5000 pounds is about all I'd want to pull behind any 4.6L (actually, I don't even want to drive a 4.6L empty, but that's my preference), especially one that is 9-10 years old.

 

That leaves you with about #500-#700 of payload left for the tongue weight of the trailer depending on what your trucks GVWR is.

The closer you get to your trucks GCWR however, the worst the performance is going to be... Like APT said, stick to a trailer that weighs (fully loaded, not DRY) of around #5000 and you'll be ok.... It'll need to go into second gear to get up the hills, but just let it rev and you'll make it!

Keep all the fluids fresh and make sure you have an aux trans cooler. A trans temp gauge is a good thing to have as well.... You'll kill the trans long before you kill the engine if you don't have an aux cooler on it....

Mitch

 

My GVWR is 6000 lbs. I found a trailer that once loaded will go around 5400 lbs. Does this sound reasonable to tow? I'm guessing the aux trans cooler comes with the factory tow package, is this right?

I guess I should explain why I'm trying so hard to make this truck work. I inherited this truck from my father who just passed away earlier this year. It has some sentimental value to me. I know that there are some people who are probably thinking, why doesn't he just get a bigger truck. I hope this answers that question.

Thanks for all your help.

 

Let's do the math. Truck @ 5547# + Trailer @ 5400# = GCW of 10,947#.

That's a full pull and you may not like the truck's performance. However, it probably can be done. Just keep in mind your truck won't like it either. Be aware and accept the fact that something may go out on you prematurely.