Alright guys, I need some advice from you experienced RV'ers.

Here's what I have:

2002 F150 Lariat FX4 SuperCab short bed
3.55 ls gears
5.4 Engine w/ K&N
4R70W tranny w/ FTVB

Here's what I want to pull:

Fifth wheel travel trailer
1050# pin weight
6401 Total Dry Weight
8050 GVWR (max "allowable" weight)

Has anyone out there tried this before? What kind of mods will be necessary, ie air bags, etc.

I don't plan to drag the 5er across the country, just short weekend excursions (less that 150 milesone way---mostly flat ground)

I hate to think of buying a PSD to pull the camper a dozen times a year---those things have gotten severly over-priced.

Any suggestions?

Sidewinder

 

I'm have one of the 8300 trucks

 

I'm thinking about going to Lightning Fest this year and towing my Lightning with my Dad's F150. He has a 1999 S/C 4.6 auto with the 16" chrome steel rims and the factory tow package with the receiver hitch with the fancy wiring. The only info I don't know is the rear gear. What do you think?

 

It don't matter what we think as much as what your dad thinks.

 

Probably the 3.55's. Look on the door jamb sticker and it should be either an H9 (3.55 LS) or a 19 (3.55 open)....

Are you planning on using a car hauler trailer? Add about #3000 more pounds to the weight of the truck if you do.....

You'll probably be maxed out on that 4.6, but it should be able to handle it....... Just take it easy and don't try to keep up with the diesels!

Good luck!

 

I figure I'd loan him my GTP until I get back. I plan on using an open trailer, I'm guessing no more than 1500lbs. Lightning weighs around 4700. So I'd say 6200lbs plus my wife and two small children.

 

The trailer weight can vary a lot. My brother (over)built a tandem axle car hauler which weighs about 3000 pounds. I'd say most manufactured ones are about 2000-2500 pounds with aluminum ones being 1200-1500. Regrdless, you'll probalby be over the ratings for the truck, but you'll be fine for limited use.

 

Would someone kindly inform me where I can find the axle ratio of my 97 f150 4.2L Lariat? Thanks.

 

paker,

Look on the driver's door sticker for the axle code. Looks like this.

Codes:
19 = 3.55 open
H9 = 3.55 LSD
26 = 3.73 open
B6 = 3.73 LSD
27 = 3.31 open
18 = 3.08 open
25 = 4.10 open
B5 = 4.10 LSD

 

Thank you, APT. Mine is 19 so the gear ratio is 3.55. By the way, is LSD limited slip differential? So, open is conventional?

 

Yes.

 

Hey CanadianScrew!

Good info!
I have the same model truck, have been towing a 3500lb 19Ft Wilderness TT with a GVWR of 4300, and thinking about going to a 28 ft model that would be around 5500lb with a GVWR of 7500. Just wondering how yours tows, and the weight of the trailer. What do ya think?

 

I have a '99 F150 Ext cab 5.4 3.73 auto w/17 wheels and factory tow package. The only real mod is Pro Comp ES9000 rear shocks. I bought it last fall with 103K miles on it and it's apparently been a tow vehicle all it's life. I bought it for hauling my circletrack car which is ~3100 lbs.

At first I used my partners 18 ft (from ball to tip) open trailer. It's only around 1500 lbs since the deck isn't full diamond plate. With my spares and tools in the bed (about 600 lbs for a total trailer & gear of 5200 lbs) it pulled just fine. For about 6 weeks the trailer brakes didn't work and the truck had no problem stopping it. Although, the rear discs are a HUGE improvement over any truck I've ever had with rear drums. Need to stop faster, just press harder. Never needed more braking power.

This year, I bought a new trailer that will have a 5' box in front of the car and a tire rack over the hood of the car. Total length from ball to tip is 25'. This trailer is MUCH heavier than the other (about 2600#) and can defintely be felt. The trailer place and I did all the calculations of car weight, gear and axle placement so it handles ok, it's just heavier. Now that I put the tires on the rack (300 lbs out of the bed) it was sagging the rear of the truck with the factory Class IV frame hitch a little much for my liking. And, the trailer would 'wag the truck' a little on the highway around the western PA hills I drive on.

So, I bought one of these (round bar 800-1000 lb model at bottom) Husky Weight Distributing Hitch It was listed on Ebay for $200 + $45 shipping. I must say this is the single best thing i've bought for the truck/race car all year. After taking measurements of the truck unloaded and then adjusting the weight with the hitch to spread the weight over the front and rear suspension, the truck tows about 900 times better. No 'trailer wagging the truck' syndrome and no porposie-ing on bumpy backroads. It's very easy to tell that the whole truck is now taking the load and the trailer axles are even picking up some of the slack too.

So, in my opinion, towing near 8000 lbs without a hitch setup like I have now is ridiculous. With around 6000 on the hitch I didn't feel safe. The motor, trans, rear gear and brakes were more than enough, but the rear suspension wasn't up to it. With the new hitch, the attitude of the truck is much better and it's alot less stressful to drive.

Sorry for the book.

Steve

 

The official Ford RV & Trailer Towing Guide for years 2002 through 2006 can be found at:

https://www.fleet.ford.com/showroom/...ng/default.asp

And if you need a Owner Manual, Warranty Guide or Scheduled Maintenance Guide they can be found at"

https://www.fleet.ford.com/maintenan...ls/default.asp

 

8300??!!!!!!! Yeah Right!!!!!!!