Looking for comments from people that tow with the 4.2 engine. I've an 01 F150 XLT supercab with the 3.55 rear but no towing package. I feel that the tow rating seems a bit optimistic. Just by itself it seems the truck is not that much of a performance vehicle so I wonder how a 4-5000 trailer would handle. Id like to know what kind of benefit/deficit I will have because of no towing package either. I wonder about the transmission and its longevity. I expect to have my new truck last as long as my 180,000 mile 1992 ranger did.

 

I used mine to pull a small box trailer, and I do not have the towing package. I just dropped a ball on the bumper, and that was it. The total weight was about 3,500 lbs. The v6 pulled it, but on the slightest incline, it would slow down. I used the OD when it was perfectly flat, just to see how it would do, and if the wind guested, it would kick out of OD. Needless to say, on the rare occasions I do pull something, I never use OD, regardless of the road. If you are going to pull with the V6, I wouldn't use the OD, even if the road is perfectly flat.

I was really spoiled when towing with my diesel, so I may be a little harsh on the V6

 

i use my v-6 to tow my 83 toyota on a trailer and it seems to slow a bit but i have a 5spd so it is not as hard to get it moving...

 

I've pulled a tandem axle trailer loaded down to 4500 lbs. The trip was around 400 miles or so, and the truck did really well considering the weight. I'm not sure if you have the auto or manual, but I've got the manual and can tell you if you know how to drive a manual real well, it will pull the weight just fine. Even with some semi steep inclines to climb, the truck was able to keep up to speed pretty well. Going on level ground the truck really performed well, the truck didn't skip a beat. Even found myself passing a few chevies that couldn't keep up. Seriously though, if you find yourself pulling weight of this kind, get a frame mounted hitch it just makes pulling any kinda weight safer for everybody concerned.

 

I've got a 2001 F-150 with manual transmission and no towing package. The truck has just over 10,000 miles and I've used it a fair amount to tow my boat. The boat weighs a little under 2000 lb with all the parts thrown in and I haven't had any trouble with towing it, even pulling the boat out of the water. I do often double clutch when towing, but not all the time.
I've got the 4.2 and have no trouble maintaining speed in 4th or in OD if I pay attention.

 

DOUBLE CLUTCH!!!

I drive a big rig, and we don't even have to double clutch them anymore. You are crazy thinking that "double clutching" is any help!! That's why we have synchronizers in transmissions these days, no more double clutching!


HAHAHAHA!

Seriously, I'm not flaming tghlk, but that just was simply funny!