I have a 96 F150 XL Long Box 4x2, 302 (5.0 Litre) with 10,000 miles on it and presently pull a small pop up trailer quite easily. I plan on pulling a trailer quite a bit larger, 5th wheel 6000 lbs. 4466 lbs (Dry weight) 6000 lbs GVWR. multiplied by .25% gives me 1116 (dry weight) or 1500 lbs (calculated by the GVWR of the trailer) king pin wieght. My truck presently has a payload of 2213, therfore 2213 lbs - 1116 = 1097 free to 2213 - 1500 + 713 lbs free weight.
My simple question is that I have thought of adding a lief to the springs and adding a transmission cooler. Do people think this is necessary and is there anything else I should add. Please think like it is your money, I know it is mine that I will have to spend. Thanks Dave

 

This is a lot of wt for your truck. It is probably within the tow capacity as designated by Ford (you can check on that in your owner’s manual) but I bet its real close. The dry wt is ok for a 1/2 ton truck. The wet tongue (kingpin) wt can be manipulated by some creative packing putting as much behind the axles as in front. Most trailers have the holding tanks centered or behind the axles. The 5th wheel hitch installers may be able to give you more nsite
I would definitely put in a transmission cooler. I just finished a post about one I installed in my truck sold by Troyer performance. After this weekend I recommend an active cooler (fan cooled with thermostat) also, put in synthetic trans fluid.
Last year I lost 4th gear in my 4R70W transmission pulling a small 5th Wheel with an approximate packed wt of about 3000lbs. I was pulling in summer over hill country. I definitely think it was heat related although I had 150,000 miles on my truck when I lost the transmission. I had the tow package with the x-tra passive transmission cooler but it was still not enough. It is worth the x-tra insurance just to make sure.

I say this like I was spending my money…….as I did on a new transmission…

 

The towing of anything bigger then your little popup will cause stress to the transmission. This stress causes higher temps in the transmission... thus causing transmission fluids to break down.. causing wear. The cooler keeps the temps from rising significantly, helping decrease wear.

Can you tow the bigger trailer without the Tranny cooler.. sure.. But the extra stress will eventually catch up with your tranny.

Think of it like insurance.. when you are paying for the cooler, you will be cursing the price.. but when you don't have to replace the tranny....

Just my 2cents!

 

Personally, I wouldn't even think of towing that trailer with that truck without a transmission cooler......seriously !

 

Agreed. I will take the advice of a active tranny cooler etc. I will find one around here and have it in before moving the trailer more than outide of the park. I boughit it yesterday and am having the hitch and extra lief spings installed today.

I appreciate the replies and advice. This is my first 5er. I used to own a Winnibego and my little Aliner (15 ft). I hope the hoopla about it trailing so well is the absolute truth.

Dave

 

Dave,

Considering the propensity for Auto trans problems that Ford trucks have had for the last 20 years, I wouldn't consider driving a Ford truck EMPTY without a tranny cooler!

My 96 F150 has a factory cooler, and at 90K, the trans has yet to display any symptoms of tranny trouble. I have a friend who had to replace his tranny at 65K (though that truck DID have towing in it's past.)

Even more, my wife has a 91 Explorer. I've heard ALL sorts of horror stories about Exploder auto trannys. Her truck has the factory towing package (w/cooler), and at 140K, the trans still seems to be fine.

Bottom line, I don't think the cooler is ever anything but smart money in a Ford truck. (unles it has a C6!)

 

I'd have to agree. A trany cooler is probably one of the least expensive, and most important thing aside from regular fluid changes, that you could ever add to your truck. I just purchased a 97 ford F150 with 140,000 miles and the auto transmission shifts like a new truck. Maybe it'd just that it was built on a good day. The toughest thing on a transmission is heat buildup. Don't be a "stuck" in the mud because this is one sure way of overheating a transmission.

 

Don't do it! First the brakes on your truck will not stop you if something happens. The transmission needs a cooler and a H.D. Transgo shift kit. If you install a temp. gauge then you will see for yourself. The hills will kill your truck. I pulled a 6800 LB. trailer and I cooked the trans then I purchased a F-250LD and the Transgo Shift Kit made it run cooler also.I have pulled a trailer from east coast to west coast . After that you are ready for almost anything.