I have a stock 98 f150 4.2L 6cylinder 4x2. I am making one cross country trip and will be towing. Ive been reading the horror stories about towing with the 4.2 and wanted some opinions. This is a one time trip but I have a topper (adding weight) the bed will carry some weight, but not much as its going to be a little apartment for the pets. I'll be towing the largest U-Haul trailer. ITs 12x6x5 LxWxH and rated to carry 5500. I expect to be draggin around 3500 to 4000 as I have another truck also towing and we are trying to balance the loads well. I have already had a larger radiatior put in. I will probably only keep the truck for a year once Im there as its not 4x4 and in Oregon I'll need that. The truck has 152,000 miles on it. I've been reading about transmission assists...but I dont want to spend a lot of money on a truck for one cross country pull. Ill be leaving from Georgia in April. Im planning a route that will have as few mountains as possible.

Any suggestions?
Thanks

 

Fresh tranny fluid and a new screen is in order. Think about adding a trans. fluid cooler? Change the fluid again after the trip. Good luck and have fun in Oregon.

 

man, that is some serious weight to be pulling with that truck, especially in the mountains. I would try not to go over 3K lbs, and you should be fine is you don't try and do 65 - 70 going up hill.

 

hey,my 4.2 pulled 10,000 worth of trailer plus mini-excavator with mine for a little trip with no probs except real horrible brakes. but cant complain

 

I pulled a 6000 lb boat with no issues. Then again I have a 5 speed with the 4.2l V6.

Other than that, it drives nicely.

 

Which axle do you have and what are the towing and weight ratings?