hey all, was looking into getting an f-150 with a 4.2 v6 due to the fact that i hear it gets decent gas mileage as i drive roughly 60miles a day round trip for work.

now i would like to tow my drag car 3-4 times a year, the car weights 3300lbs and i would most likely use a tow dolly which doesnt weight that much, would it be able to handle it ?

could the truck handle the car with say a flatbed trailer if i installed a set of helper springs ?

thanks

 

Don't bother getting a V-6. Gas mileage is the same as the V-8s. But, if you are dead set on getting a V-6, then yes, it will pull the trailer, however very slowly.

 

Almost no reason to get the V6. The 4.6L has a lot more torque. As long as you get a 3.31 axle ratio, fuel economy should be decent.

 

Well, he will be able to buy a V6 for much less than the V8, and it will do the job (easily with 3.55 gears). Is that reason enough?


FWIW, the tow ratings are much higher on the automatic than the 5 speed.
I towed a '67 Mustang on a tow dolley about 250 miles with my V6. The dolley weighs about 700 pounds. It towed like a dream. Handled one moderate grade (the Altamont Pass) at the speed limit. Drove down Interstate 5 easily, maintaining 70 mph and once or twice had to pass a slower vehicle and take it over 75 mph to get out of the passing lane more quickly. Oh yeah, I did have a Superchip in, which nicely increases low end and mid range power.

 

The 4.6L is a $750 MSRP option, or $600 actual cost to a buyer. That doesn't sound like a lot to me. Looks like you cannot get a 3.31 LSD, so I'd rather have a 4.2L 3.55 LSD than 4.6L 3.31 open diff. Depending on how on drivers, the 4.6L gets identical fuel economy to the 4.2L. The 4.2L w/ 3.55 only has a tow rating og 5100 pounds. Enough for the car + dolly, but not car + flatbed trailer. It's not a matter of the rear springs, but more a function of the engine, tranny, diff, brakes, bearings, and more. And otherwise identical 4.6L Reg cab bumps that rating up by 1500 pounds.

Get the 4.6L 3.55. Keep the stock tiny tires and you'll get get 20mpg highway. Can't ask for much better for something can can tow 6500 pounds. Otherwise, buy a $5k used pickup to tow the beast 3-4 times per year and a $15k Civic or Corolla for commuting. But, I have a 60 mile/day cummute and get 11mpg in my F-150. Wouldn't trade my truck for a Reg cab 2WD 4.6L w/ tiny tires, though.