We're shopping for a '98 or '99 F150 with 5.4 V8 and would occasionally tow a travel trailer that with weight of other items (passengers, etc) would come close to Ford's posted max. Anybody have any experience with mountain towing under similar conditions? We'd rather not buy an F250 due to added cost, but don't want to go with the F150 and regret it later. Thanks.

 

If you are reaching the F-150's limit and don't want a F-250, then consider the F-150's optional payload pkgs. Payload pkg #3 w/5.4 tows a 8500lb. trailer w/ 13,000 GCVW, and the 7700 lb Payload pkg tows 8800lb. trailer w/ 13.500 GCVW.

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2000 F-150 XL,RC,LB,5.4,4R70W,3.55LS,
4-wheel disc/ABS,Chestnut/Parchment,
Ford bedliner & gas/wheel/spare locks,
3" cold air box modification,Superchip,
Dynomax ultra-flow welded 3" cat-back.

 

More to add. Examine needs for GVWR: truck, passengers, bed payload, and other. Examine need for trailer tongue and actual weight. Examine need for GCVWR: truck w/payload, and trailer weight. cphilip is correct about higher # gears increasing towing capacity and getting tow pkg (has wiring, hitch, coolers, etc.).I didn't mean the higher payload capacity would help you tow more trailer weight. My above mentioned trailer weights and GCVWR's still apply.

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2000 F-150 XL,RC,LB,5.4,4R70W,3.55LS,
4-wheel disc/ABS,Chestnut/Parchment,
Ford bedliner & gas/wheel/spare locks,
3" cold air box modification,Superchip,
Dynomax ultra-flow welded 3" cat-back.

 

No Max, I wasn't trying to down play the points you made about payload just was adding to them. GVWR is very important too.

Example: My last truck was a F150 Lariat 4X4 SuperCab with a 4.6L and 3.55's. It weighted 5480 pounds empty with a full tank of gas and only had a GVWR or 6600 (I think) When you added passengers and tounge weight of my TT there was nothing left for payload. Nothing! So yes it can be very important.

 

Don't forget that for every 1,000 ft of altitude, naturally-aspirated engines lose 4% of their horsepower -- think about that at 8,000 or 10,000 ft (Dolly Pardon's country).

Brakes are all-important -- and the 7700 series has 4-wheel antilock brakes. Of course, the antilock does nothing on a mountain downgrade, but the added capacity of the disc brakes gives me a little comfort. <A HREF="http://www.net-link.net/~n8jg/y2k/mvc-008s.jpg" TARGET=_blank> [img]//www.net-link.net/~n8jg/y2k/mvc-008s_small.jpg[/img] </A>

I haven't had mine in the mountains (yet), but do plan on GCW of 11,000 to 12,000 pounds. I use trailer brakes on two axles.



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Y2K™

Toreador Red, Keyless XLT SC SB 5.4L E4x4 4wDisc/ABS, 3.73LS, Skid, HD 7700# Towing, LT-245's on Chrome, Tube-Steps, Captain's, 6CD, Tonneau, named: "Nick"

 

I'm not sure which "max" you are reffering to but heres my thoughts none the less...

An F150 with 3.73 rear end will give you the greatest towing capacity at 13,500 GCVWR. Payload is important but it will not help you much on GCVWR. But if thats what you are close to then yes look at the 7700 or its older cousin the F250 light duty. Going down to 3.55's will lose you 1000 pounds GCVWR. Add 4X4 and you lose another 500 pounds.

Leave off 4x4 and your trailer max is 8400 for a supercab F150 5.4L with 3.73's. These trailer max's are misleading. You can never exceed the GCVWR no matter what that says. Passengers, gear and tounge weight on the truck have to be considered. And wet and loaded weight of the trailer. For mountain towing allow 20% less than this trailer max GVWR and you will be good. So... for this same F150 SC 5.4L with 3.73's I would buy a trailer that was Max GVWR or 7000 or less. With 3.55's maybe go down to 6000 pounds.

Make sure you have the towing package!

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2000 F-250 Super Duty, SuperCab XLT, Oxford white with medium grey cloth captains chairs, 5.4L Triton V8 (260 HP - 345 FP Torque version!), 4R100 4 Speed Automatic Transmission, 4 wheel ABS, Deluxe Aluminum Wheels, Trailer Towing Package, Class IV Hitch, Reece load distribution system, Escort Sensor II Electronic Brake controller, Sure Stop towing skirt, "Westin" black powder coated step bars, "White-White" head lamps, Herculiner bed liner, ISSPRO Tranny Temp Guage, Excursion center console, Ford moulded mud gaurds, K&N Air and Oil filter, Amsoil XL7500 5W-30,Air filter minder.

 

cphillip has some good points. My last truck was a 98 F150 s/c 4.6l with 3.55. I believe it was around 7000 pounds towing capacity.

Bought a travel trailer at 5,000 figuring I had room, stupid stupid move. Didn't have the gusto taking off, tongue weight seemed to much also. I didn't feel comfortable at highway speeds, 50-55 mph max! Now I have an F250 LD 5.4L 3.73, pulls my trailer easily start to finish, coming in and out of Vegas we have some pretty steep grades. I'm much happier now (plus it gave me an excuse to get that fourth door and CD player up front).

Don't skimp, you'll REGRET it later!

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99 F250XLT Supercab LD
5.4L 3.73 LS
White/Silver
Graphite interior
6 CD changer/Captain's Chairs