I have a 98 4X4 F150 with the 5.4 and an auto tranny and 3.55 axle. I think it also has the Ford factory tow package because it has a receiver hitch and the electrical connector says Ford on it. I bought the truck used so I am not totally sure. There is also a brake controller under the dash.

My Ford manual is confusing. It says:

"Your vehicle may tow a class I, II, or III trailer provided the maximum trailer weight is less than or equal to the maximum trailer weight listed for your engine and rear axle ratio on the following charts"

When I check the charts it says that I can tow a maximum trailer weight of 7700 lbs. But a class III trailer maxes out at 5000 lbs! A 7700 lb trailer is a class IV trailer. So which is it--Can I pull 7700 lbs or is it 5000 lbs because the manual only mentions class I, II, or III trailers?

If I follow the quoted statement above, I can only tow a 5000lb trailer but if I follow the charts, I can tow 7700lbs.

Jeez, who wrote this manual?

Help!

 

Every Class 3 recevier I've seen is rated for 5000 pounds weight carrying and 10k with a weight distributing hitch. You'll be fine over 5000 pounds, but I'd keep your loaded travel weight to about 6000 pounds. That's a happy limit for 1/2 tons.

 

Your towing capability is limited in the item that has the lowest weight capacity. It could be the truck GVW, it could be your tire ratings, it could be the receiver (class II, III, or IV), it could also be the ball mount.

Look at your ball mount that you plan to use (weight capacity will be stamped into the ball mount)....it could be limited to only 3500lbs.....most are 5-6000lbs, some are 9000lbs and you can get them with 12,000lb capacity!

 

Thanks for the help. I want to buy a trailer that will weigh about 6000lbs loaded.

So the truck can pull 7700.

Since the ball mount says 6000lbs max, I need to get a ball that says at least 8000 just to be safe.

The factory hitch says 5000lbs max but weight distributing is 8500 with a tongue weight of 500 and 850 weight distributing.

Looks like I will be getting a weight distributing hitch and a sway bar also.

 

What is a weight distributing hitch? How much does it cost?

 

Johnboy, here is a pic of a Weight Distribution setup.



They come in other 'flavors' then this, but the same principle is involved. Think of the bars as the handles on a wheelbarrow. When you lift the handles, the weight is now 'distributed' to the front wheel (front axle of vehicle) and your legs (trailer axle), thus taking some weight off of the skids (vehicles rear axle).

Of course, a WD will not lift the rear end off the ground, but you get the idea....

GrnX,

Just 'cause the manual says you have a 'tow rating' of #7700 does not mean you can just go out and plop a #7700 trailer on there and be ok.....

I've got the same 'tow rating' and the #5000 TT I've got puts my truck over it's listed GVWR when I'm all loaded up for a weekend camping trip.

That #7700 'rating' is based off of a bone stock version of your truck, so any additional options and payload technically subtracts from that 'rating'.

With all that being said, if you were to plop a #6000 trailer on your truck, you should use a WD setup as above.... But, if it's just a one time thing, or not too far, then you can get away with just plopping it on there (as long as all the other components that make up the hitch are within specs).

I've done it on a few occasions while helping family members move and such... The other thing is that you will want trailer brakes with anything that heavy as well... I've been guilty of running with no trailer brakes on several occasions and while I got away with it, it was no fun!

Mitch

 

I can't imagine 6k lbs. without trailer brakes.

 

I towed 9,000lbs of trailer and fertilizer today without trailer brakes . Truck did pretty good, I was rather impressed how it towed the load a couple thousand pounds over it's max trailer weight. Just took it easy slowing down .

 

Another excellent Weight Distribution Hitch is the Equal-i-zer. Unlike the example shown above, it does not rely on chains. The bars ride on L shaped brackets. In addition to providing weight distribution, this hitch also provides much needed sway control.

Go here for more info. I belong to a camping board and the vast majority of the folks on there swear by this hitch.

Just my $0.02 worth.

 

i am trying to find out what is the towing capacity of my truck?
can i be able to tow 5000lb trailer with it? can anyone help me on this
thanks.all i want to know is that what is my truck's pulling capacity or what should be the trailers weight so i can pull it with my truck safely...?