I'm new to towing a travel trailer with my truck - I would like advice regarding towing capacity:
I have an 2001 F150 Supercrew, 4.6L with 3.55 Ratio Slip Axle, Trailer Towing Group Class 3 package. The truck GVWR is 6350 lbs. The GVRW of the trailers I'm looking at are between 4500 and 6000 lbs. Is there a concern the truck/engine is not powerful/big enough to pull a trailer that size?

Thanks, Steve

 

I towed a #5000 GVWR TT with a 97 F150 with 5.4 and it did well for what I thought at the time..

It was in 2nd gear, pulling 3500-4000 rpms up the grades to hold 55-60 mph.. Still had some pedal left, but not much.. I usually just kept it at 50-55 mph and between 3000-3500 because that's what I felt more comfortable with.

3rd gear for the most part on the flats.. It could go into OD on the flats as long as there was zero grade and no head wind...

Best towing on the flats was in 3rd, locking out OD, pulling around 2500 rpms going around 60 mph. This was with 3.55 gears and 265/75/16 tires.

As long as you aren't afraid of running higher rpms and pedal to the floor up the grades at times, you'll get down the road just fine..

Then I traded that 97 in for the 13 Eco.. Well, my towing experience has changed to where that ol 5.4 did not hold a candle to the little 3.5 Eco....

Anyway, you got what you got, so as long as you have the right towing expectations for what you are towing and towing it with, it's all good at that time!

Good luck!

Mitch

 

With a 4.6 and those gears, limit yourself to 5000# gross.

 

Thanks, I appreciate your responses. I will be looking for another vehicle with more towing power. If I'm going to be out on the road pulling a 6000# trailer, which is better diesel or gas?

 

You don't need a diesel with 6000#. This is well within the capabilities of a F-150 properly equipped.

 

If you changed the rear gear to 4.10 or 4.56, that would help a bunch. I believe your truck has a 8.8" rear though and the 5.4's came with the 9.75" rear.

If you pull a trailer in the mountains, you will be wishing you bought a truck with a really powerful engine. If you look for another truck be aware of the issues with the 6.0 diesel.

 

You don't need a 3/4 ton with a diesel - I'd look for a 2011 or newer F150 with a Ecoboost. A 5.0 is acceptable but the Ecoboost is much better in the mountains. I'd stay away from a 2010 or earlier with the 5.4 3 valve, that engine just has too many issues. A 6.2 would be great if you can find one, there weren't that many built, most of them went into the Raptor and Superduty.

4.56 gears in your truck along with a programmer and custom tunes would probably do the job. However, you are looking at $800 for a gear swap - double that if you have a 4x4 - and $400 or so for the programmer and tunes. I'd be a bit hesitant about working a 16 year old truck that hard though.

 

From what you're saying, I would be working my truck pretty hard! My plan is to visit National Parks, etc... The EcoBoost gets a lot of positive comments. I wouldn't necessarily need a 4x4, a 4x2 should do the trick? I have read about the V10 gasser but that engine isn't currently being made.

 

Of course a 2wd is all you need to tow on pavement. But, in the campgrounds you will be towing the trailer on dirt sometimes. I'd want a 4x4 for those times after a rain. You might not be able to pull the TT up a very slight grade on wet grass after a rain. it happened to me. You will be pulling it up lots of hills if you go to the National Parks out west. Lots of options from keeping what you have, modifying what you have with low rear gears, swapping for another truck that is better able to pull the load.

 

Neither the V10 or a diesel was ever available in the F-150, you are still thinking Superduty.

What you need is a 2011 or newer F-150, doesn't matter what drive system, with a 3.5 Ecoboost, 6.2, or maybe a 5.0 and a full towing package including brake controller. You will also need a weight distribution hitch. If you are going to be hitting the national parks out west in the mountains, I'd go for the Ecoboost.

If you do want a Superduty, either the V10 or the 6.2 would be fine. However, they are gas hogs and a Superduty doesn't make a very good daily driver, it really rides like a truck.

EDIT: Roadie makes a good selling point for 4wd.