Towing a pop-up tent trailer
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Junior Member
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 1
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From: Benicia, CA USA
Towing a pop-up tent trailer
Any advise would be appreciated...
I am looking to purchase a 1997 or 1998 F-150 to pull my 3k lb pop-up tent trailer.
Will this do the job?
If so, can you make any suggestions as to minimum engine size, etc.?
Much appreciated!
I am looking to purchase a 1997 or 1998 F-150 to pull my 3k lb pop-up tent trailer.
Will this do the job?
If so, can you make any suggestions as to minimum engine size, etc.?
Much appreciated!
Senior Member
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 641
Likes: 0
From: Calgary, Oilberta
ANY F150 will tow that weight. I used to tow that much with a Dodge Intrepid!
You should add a tranny cooler if it doesn't have one and a brake controller for anything over 2000lb.
Ian
------------------
99 Expedition EB
5.4l, 4x4, 4.10 LS
WMS Tube, Bassani Cat Back Exhaust, Superchip Flipchip, PIAA Superwhites
You should add a tranny cooler if it doesn't have one and a brake controller for anything over 2000lb.
Ian
------------------
99 Expedition EB
5.4l, 4x4, 4.10 LS
WMS Tube, Bassani Cat Back Exhaust, Superchip Flipchip, PIAA Superwhites
Senior Member
Joined: Feb 1999
Posts: 2,233
Likes: 0
First off, don't buy any late model F-150 with the manual transmission. The tow capacity with the manual tranny is very very very low. Stick with the automatic tranny.
Other than that, you'll be fine with most any configuration as far as safe towing goes. You'll need to decide what kind of performance/gas mileage you want and the best way to decide is to figure out what kind of driving you'll be doing most of the time and this will help you decide what rear end gear ratio to look for.
A 3.08 equipped truck will run cheaper on the freeway empty, but won't have the performance of a 3.55 truck in the city or driving up hills. The 3.08 while towing should be adequate, but then you might end up burning more gas because you can't run it in Over Drive or the engine might be straining more. It all depends on the load and your style of driving.
Safe bet would be to look for a 4x2 with the 4.6L engine and the 3.55 rear end. It should give you decent mileage and performance. You really don't need the 5.4L engine unless you're planning on towing twice the weight of what you have now.
BTW, look for a truck with the factory installed tow package. You'll be ahead of the game if you do.
[This message has been edited by Dennis (edited 06-03-2001).]
Other than that, you'll be fine with most any configuration as far as safe towing goes. You'll need to decide what kind of performance/gas mileage you want and the best way to decide is to figure out what kind of driving you'll be doing most of the time and this will help you decide what rear end gear ratio to look for.
A 3.08 equipped truck will run cheaper on the freeway empty, but won't have the performance of a 3.55 truck in the city or driving up hills. The 3.08 while towing should be adequate, but then you might end up burning more gas because you can't run it in Over Drive or the engine might be straining more. It all depends on the load and your style of driving.
Safe bet would be to look for a 4x2 with the 4.6L engine and the 3.55 rear end. It should give you decent mileage and performance. You really don't need the 5.4L engine unless you're planning on towing twice the weight of what you have now.
BTW, look for a truck with the factory installed tow package. You'll be ahead of the game if you do.
[This message has been edited by Dennis (edited 06-03-2001).]