More Towing Questions
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Junior Member
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 1
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From: PA
More Towing Questions
Ok, most of you guys have prolly had an eyefull of towing question posts by now. But I'm a motorcycle guy, not a truck expert. This site looks/works just like www.cruisebikes.net BTW for any bikers here...
I have a 1988 F-150 XLT. 5.0EFI, 4x4, 4" lift, rancho suspension, 15" alumininum wheels, 33 x 12.5 tires. I have NO IDEA what my axle ratio is, and the dealer tells me he can't decode the VIN of a truck that old....old? Damn...Still feels/looks new after 105,000 miles. I guess I keep forgetting it's an '88.
To my questions: Does anybody know what the axel ratio might be, or where I could find it? I might be able to still read the door jamb sticker, but the tab on the rear is long gone since the cover was replaced with an aftermarket unit. Also, can I pull a 4790lb(dry) / 6800 GVWR camping trailer plus have my bike (500lbs) in the bed?
Thanks.
I have a 1988 F-150 XLT. 5.0EFI, 4x4, 4" lift, rancho suspension, 15" alumininum wheels, 33 x 12.5 tires. I have NO IDEA what my axle ratio is, and the dealer tells me he can't decode the VIN of a truck that old....old? Damn...Still feels/looks new after 105,000 miles. I guess I keep forgetting it's an '88.
To my questions: Does anybody know what the axel ratio might be, or where I could find it? I might be able to still read the door jamb sticker, but the tab on the rear is long gone since the cover was replaced with an aftermarket unit. Also, can I pull a 4790lb(dry) / 6800 GVWR camping trailer plus have my bike (500lbs) in the bed?
Thanks.
Last edited by HrlyDr; Jun 18, 2002 at 10:34 AM.
Senior Member
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 4,506
Likes: 6
From: Puyallup, WA
I'm afraid I won't be much help on your gear ratio, but the door jamb would be the only other place to look. Look for something labeled "AXLE".
As far as will your setup tow that trailer.......... I'd say that you will be over weight if it's almost 5k dry!! That ol' 5.0 will not like it at all, especially with 33" tall tires. You'd have to have something like 4.56 gears to even consider it. Then, you'd have to consider the length of the trailer and your trucks wheelbase. If you tow a long trailer with a short wheelbase truck, you will have a pretty good "pucker" )*( factor going on!
I'm looking at TT right now. I'm not going to tow anything that weighs more then 5,500 #'s fully loaded, ready to camp and not more then 21' long, but that's just me. Other's will say "I tow my 26', 7000# TT all the time with no problems." That's great for them, but not for me. JMO.....
Good Luck and welcome aboard....
As far as will your setup tow that trailer.......... I'd say that you will be over weight if it's almost 5k dry!! That ol' 5.0 will not like it at all, especially with 33" tall tires. You'd have to have something like 4.56 gears to even consider it. Then, you'd have to consider the length of the trailer and your trucks wheelbase. If you tow a long trailer with a short wheelbase truck, you will have a pretty good "pucker" )*( factor going on!
I'm looking at TT right now. I'm not going to tow anything that weighs more then 5,500 #'s fully loaded, ready to camp and not more then 21' long, but that's just me. Other's will say "I tow my 26', 7000# TT all the time with no problems." That's great for them, but not for me. JMO.....
Good Luck and welcome aboard....
Senior Member
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 217
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From: Washington
If all else fails, jack up the rear of your truck so the wheels are free to turn, following all safety proceedures of coarse. Rotate your wheels one revolution, count how many rev's your driveshaft makes,ie. 3.5, 3.7, 4.1 or whatever. This will give you a ballpark figure.
Senior Member
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 378
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From: Houston, Texas
Originally posted by suvdrvr
If all else fails, jack up the rear of your truck so the wheels are free to turn, following all safety proceedures of coarse. Rotate your wheels one revolution, count how many rev's your driveshaft makes,ie. 3.5, 3.7, 4.1 or whatever. This will give you a ballpark figure.
If all else fails, jack up the rear of your truck so the wheels are free to turn, following all safety proceedures of coarse. Rotate your wheels one revolution, count how many rev's your driveshaft makes,ie. 3.5, 3.7, 4.1 or whatever. This will give you a ballpark figure.