Does anyone know why Ford rates the towing capacity for this truck as 2100 lbs when the same vehicle with an automatic transmission is rated at 3500 lbs (if my memory serves me correctly). I have comfortably towed a trailer brake equipped trailer weighing 3200 lbs, plus gear and family, with my 4.2L 5-speed. Is Ford concerned about towing rookies wearing the clutch out prematurely or is there another reason for this low capacity?

 

The clutches on these trucks are really whimpy. They gotta be, otherwise customers would be complaining about their sore left legs from standing on the clutch pedal. The other reason is the manual tranny is small and it's made by Mazda.

My thinking is, if you really know how to tow with a manual transmission, you can tow just as much as the truck with the auto tranny. How can you tell if you know how to shift under towing conditions? Ask yourself if you are comfortable with double clutching. If you can double clutch, I'd guess you know how to minimize strain on your drive train.

If you don't know the first thing about double clutching, then I'd advise caution if you plan to tow over the weight limit for your truck.

 

Thanks for the reply. My understanding of double clutching is to release the clutch, shift into neutral, engage the clutch to synchronize transmission rpm's, release the clutch, shift into the next desired gear and then engage the clutch. Since this is a synchromesh transmission, I am not sure why double clutching would reduce strain on the transmission. Could you please explain further why double clutching is beneficial when pulling a heavy load? Thanks again.

 

Your right about how to double clutch. The syncros in these tranies are crap.Double clutching takes the strain off the syncros



[This message has been edited by hardriver (edited 05-14-2001).]