Towing Capacity

Old Aug 2, 2006 | 10:13 PM
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01TruBluGT's Avatar
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Towing Capacity

Hey I have a 97 Supercab, V6 5spd with the 3.08 open diff.

Anyone know what the towing capacity is. I am trying to figure out if I can tow my 3300lb Mustang on a trailer with it.

Thanks in advance
 
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Old Aug 3, 2006 | 09:16 AM
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Here is a link to the towing capacity chart from a '99 owner's manual:

https://www.f150online.com/forums/sh...ad.php?t=78435

Figure 2,000 - 2,500 lbs for a trailer and you are way over Ford's limit.

The 5 speed 3.08 supercab 4.2 combo has a very low tow rating. If you have a 4x4 you are at the bottom of the scale for F150 towing capacity. I think the 5 speed is usually rated low due to Ford worrying about the clutch.
 

Last edited by dirt bike dave; Aug 3, 2006 at 09:19 AM.
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Old Aug 3, 2006 | 09:25 AM
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Originally Posted by dirt bike dave
Here is a link to the towing capacity chart from a '99 owner's manual:

https://www.f150online.com/forums/sh...ad.php?t=78435

Figure 2,000 - 2,500 lbs for a trailer and you are way over Ford's limit.

The 5 speed 3.08 supercab 4.2 combo has a very low tow rating. If you have a 4x4 you are at the bottom of the scale for F150 towing capacity. I think the 5 speed is usually rated low due to Ford worrying about the clutch.
Thanks that was a big help. Its not a 4x4 so I feel a bit better haha. I wonder if I swap out the 3.08 for 3.73's and a Trac Loc would that make it any better....better yet maybe some 4.10's
 
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Old Aug 3, 2006 | 09:43 AM
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Originally Posted by 01TruBluGT
Thanks that was a big help. Its not a 4x4 so I feel a bit better haha. I wonder if I swap out the 3.08 for 3.73's and a Trac Loc would that make it any better....better yet maybe some 4.10's
Even 3:55 bump the rating from 2000 to 3400.
Those ratings are what Ford "was willing to cover".

May be worth doing the gear swap and see how it goes.
I wouldn't recommend risking that much over the limit on a new truck but, we are talking about a 1997.

Ford surely doesn't care anymore, unless you got the Mother Of All Extended Warranties.
 
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Old Aug 3, 2006 | 10:08 AM
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FWIW, I towed a '67 Mustang (3,000+-) with a 700 lb. tow dolley with my '99 4.2 XLT SC Auto 3.55. The trip was 250+ miles with one moderate grade (the Altamont Pass). Towed great - no problems at all. I rented the dolley from U-haul for a 1-way trip.
 
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