Towing 6400# with F-150
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Junior Member
Joined: Jun 2002
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From: Oklahoma
Towing 6400# with F-150
I need to tow a 1800# dual axle car hauler W/ brakes and 4000-4500# car 210 miles with my 01 F-150. I have a brake controller and Class III hitch, no load distribution bar. Is my truck capable of the task. I have a 5.4 with auto. Is 6500# total too much for it to handle? There are no hills and I plan on towing at 55-60mph. Thanks.
Senior Member
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 159
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From: Bolton Ontario Canada
Look at the towing weight chart at the top of the towing and hauling forum and you will find the tow capacity of your truck. A class 3 hitch without weight distribution is rated at 5000 lbs. I think that your hitch will be your limiting factor. GlennMc.
Senior Member
Joined: Feb 2000
Posts: 1,544
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From: Kalamazoo, MI, USA
It's done all the time.
You wouldn't choose your truck to do that on a daily basis -- if you were starting with those towing needs and selecting a truck -- but here are some assumptions from the little bit of info you gave:
1) your axle ratio is 3.55 (somewhat normal for a 4x4)
2) you don't plan on going to the mountains
3) you have no time crunch -- and can tow at 55 MPH or slower
4) You are not in Phoenix (where today it's 110 F)
5) you can leave the AC off if necessary
6) you can move the car around on the trailer so the tongue weight is not excessive (doesn't squat the truck)
7) the trailer brakes WORK WELL
8) you use mid-grade fuel
9) you use good oil
10) you make a 10-mile test run to determine that the 'pucker factor' is low
11) you don't overload the weight rating of your hitch
#s 10 & 11 will be the scale-tippers.
If things are set up correctly, it will seem like a no-brainer -- but if they're not just right, go by your instinct.
You wouldn't choose your truck to do that on a daily basis -- if you were starting with those towing needs and selecting a truck -- but here are some assumptions from the little bit of info you gave:
1) your axle ratio is 3.55 (somewhat normal for a 4x4)
2) you don't plan on going to the mountains
3) you have no time crunch -- and can tow at 55 MPH or slower
4) You are not in Phoenix (where today it's 110 F)
5) you can leave the AC off if necessary
6) you can move the car around on the trailer so the tongue weight is not excessive (doesn't squat the truck)
7) the trailer brakes WORK WELL
8) you use mid-grade fuel
9) you use good oil
10) you make a 10-mile test run to determine that the 'pucker factor' is low
11) you don't overload the weight rating of your hitch
#s 10 & 11 will be the scale-tippers.
If things are set up correctly, it will seem like a no-brainer -- but if they're not just right, go by your instinct.
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Junior Member
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 2
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From: Oklahoma
I just finished the 210 mile trip. No problems hauling the car on the car hauler. The tongue was a bit heavier than I would have liked, and the rear of the truck was sitting a bit too low, but it towed really nice at 60-65 with no weight distribution set-up. It was really windy and I-40 is very rough in the slow lane, but I didn't have any problems.