OK guys, I've read everyting in every thread here on towing to get as much info as possible. I know the short answer is going to be: get a super duty.
That's not in the cards. I've got a 145" wheelbase, standard cab '05 4.6L 2V with a Troyer tune, CIA, cat back, E fans, transmission cooler with fan and 4:10 gears. (the truck was dynoed at Troyer and is making the same power as a stock 5.4L 2V). Speced max trailer weight for my truck (stock, with 3.73 gears is 7100lb). I tow 6800 lbs with this truck with NO trouble. It is very comfortable and adequate to good power.
I am salivating over a trailer rig with a 9800lb GW.
Now for the questions. The 5.4L version of my truck with a 3:73 gear is rated to pull 9800lb GW.
1. Will my 4.6L making the same power as the 5.4L and 4:10 gears pull 9800lb GW. Theoretically, it looks like it should.
2. Would putting an Allen supercharger kit on my truck and adding 75HP/LbFt torque make this a more tolerable situation?
Again, I know a SuperDuty is really the way to go, but it's just not possible for me right now. Looking at the numbers makes me think that maybe this could be done safely and reliably - though definitely pushing the boundaries. Any help is greatly appreciated.
-Steve

 

Your transmission and rear gear diameter are limiting you. Also, towing almost 10k pounds will likely put you over GVWR.

 

APT -
Thanks for the reply. Like all the other parameters, the GVWR goes right out to the bleeding edge, but is not over. I have read on the board here about a shift plate that will improve the R70 performance. Would that help? You are referring to the actual model rear that is in the F150 - not the gear ratio - correct? Thanks again.
-Steve

 

I don't know thew 2004+ models as well as 97-03, but I thought the 4.6L still uses the 8.8" rear diff while the 5.4L uses 9.75", so indepentant of the gear ratio.

I've weighed my truck over 8200 pounds with GVWR of 6750. While I accepted that for a short trip, I don't recommend planning to exceed it on a regular basis buy buying a trailer that is more than your ratings.

My opinion is that modifyiing your truck should be done to improve towing performance within the MFG tow ratings, not to increase the ratings. I don't recommend towing 10k pounds with any 1/2 ton pickup. But, everyone's experiences and opinions are different.

I look at the mods you did to your truck, and think you could have sold your truck, bought a used 2005 F250 w/ V10 and be about even on cost, yet remain well within the trucks capabilities instead of pushing them.

 

APT,
ahh, 8.8 vs 9.75 is a substantial difference. Wasn't aware of that one. Yes, of course you are right about the cost of the 250/V-10. Obviously, what happens is the improvements trickle in one at a time, and before you know it, you have a better truck, but not as good as you would have if you had just spent all the money at once and bought upscale to begin with. Hindsight's 20-20, eh.
The problem is, the wife would KILL me if I told her I needed to replace my less than 2 year old truck. That just ain't gonna happen. Thanks for your very good and level headed advice! I'm going to hook my truck up to this monster and see hwat happens. I've got a feeling it's just not meant to be.

 

None of what I said helps you know as I understand how you add a $500 mod here and there vs. spending $2500 up front. And your truck handles what you tow now just great.

I'd ask the 2004= forum what size the rear gear is for your truck. I know that 97-03 F-150's worked that way w/ the engine size-gear size. I don't know if that changed on the newer trucks.

I'd just keep enjoying your current trailer and keep saving for when the wife will let you upgrade both the trailer and tow vehicle.

 

Forget the upgrades to the truck's engine and trans. They aren't gonna help you pull anything. All they're gonna do is help you break your truck by giving it more power, and a false sense of security. If you want to pull something really heavy, you're gonna have to be EASY with it. Not supercharge you truck, with the mindset that you're gonna ****** it around. Your truck won't last long if you dog it with heavy stuff hooked behind it. But if you take it easy, it will move a mountain, and it won't hurt it a bit!

These trucks have plenty of power stock, and if you can't pull your trailer as fast as you'd like to, then you need a bigger truck. You'll find when you drive a PSD that they aren't that much stronger. They'll pull the same load easier, (easier on the truck) but they don't pull much harder.

 

My folks had a TT that had an #8800 GVWR and I'm sure it weighed in pretty close to that fully loaded... (my Mom used every bit of storage space!)

Anyway, my Dad had a 1996 Dodge 2500 (yes, I know, so no flames please...) with only the 360 Magnum in it. It handled the tongue weight ok, but it could not get out of it's own way on the hwy...

He then got a 2000 Dodge 2500 with the Cummins in it and it handled the trailer fine (even thou it was still a Dodge....) Actually, that Cummins is a nice diesel...

Well, we hitched up that trailer to our old 1971 F250 to move it around the yard one time and it dropped that thing to it's knees! Normally, that old truck would handle all kinds of payload, but this trailer just dropped it down..

While your 'new' F150 has more GVWR and power then that old F250, it's a far cry to be ok with a #6800 TT then think it'll still be 'ok' with a new trailer that's some #2000 heavier....

You'll get down the road, but you'll probably be exceeding your trucks GVWR/GAWR in the process... Only time will determine how long all the parts last based on the number of miles it has to work under those conditions...

Safety??? Well, that's all up to 'Karma' and if you are in the wrong place at the wrong time... Too bad we can't control that!

Good luck!

Mitch

 

Indeed, no amount of power will increase the towing capacity of your vehicle. The engine is but one part of the system that determines the towing capacity. Not only will a 9600 lb trailer alone put you over the GVWR, the 1000+lbs tongue weight on a weight distributing hitch that trailer will require will put both your front and rear axles over their GAWR. Also, if that 9600 lbs is a dry weight of the trailer, you can count on it weighing at least 1000-1500 lbs more once it's loaded.

It's not at all a good idea. They don't just pull those tow ratings out of the air.

 

Don't do it.

 

Thanks to all for the great advice and sharing your knowledge. I have decided to stick with my 6800lb rig that I know works well. If I decide in the future to get a bigger trailer I'll just bite the bullett and get a bigger truck. What a concept, eh?
I am still waiting for Allen to release their SC kit for my truck, though. Thanks again.
-Steve