1997 F150 towing

[MARKM3144]

I have a 1997 F150 4x4 w/offroad and towing package, 355 limited slip rearend, 4.6 liter v8.<br />Question:I am looking at a boat and trailer package weighing 6500lbs will my truck handle this weight? Thank you

 

[DJ]

Re: 1997 F150 towing

OFFSHORE31,<br /><br />I'm assuming your truck is a Super Cab?<br /><br />If so, your max. trailer weight rating is 6,600# with a max GCWR of 11,500#<br /><br />You're on the edge.

 

[MARKM3144]

Re: 1997 F150 towing

DJOHNS19<br /> Thank you for the info.I am going for a sea trial this week and I will ask if I can tow boat to launch to get a feel on the road and at ramp.

 

[JB]

Re: 1997 F150 towing

I agree with DJohns, Offshore.<br /><br />By the time you gas up and load that boat you will be well over the maximum for your F150.<br /><br />You need at least 10,000 tow rating to safely handle that load.<br /><br />I suggest a F250 4X4 Diesel rated at 10K or more.<br /><br />Good luck.

 

[MARKM3144]

Re: 1997 F150 towing

Thank you for the advice looks like I will have to trade up!

 

[POINTER94]

Re: 1997 F150 towing

OFFSHORE,<br /><br />You are right on the edge but, look at changing the gear ratio to say 410, upsize the brakes and put airbags on the rear suspension and I think you will have a safe rig.<br /><br />Make sure you have good brakes and tires on the trailer and don't go much over 700lbs on the hitch.<br /><br />If you got the bucks for a boat and a new truck Great!!!! The 4.6 is a little on the small size for the weight you are discussing. My guess is you will be tipping the scales near 7000lbs. The best rig for this will be a 3/4ton diesel. If you can afford all this please contact me because future advise will come with a price tag.

<br /><br />PPPPPPP = PRIOR PROPER PLANNING PREVENTS PI** POOR PERFORMANCE.

 

[MARKM3144]

Re: 1997 F150 towing

I had someone tell me that an equalizer setup would distribute the weight and stabalize the ride.They also said it would not effect the surge brakes.Any comment on equalizers?

 

[DJ]

Re: 1997 F150 towing

Offshore,<br /><br />It MAY equalize the weight and improve the ride.<br /><br />You have to make sure the set up is surge brake compatable. Not many are.<br /><br />With all of that, you still cannot increase the trucks tow rating. You're still on the edge, OR OVER IT!

 

[Knightgang]

Re: 1997 F150 towing

It is a Ford, it will pull anything!!!!!!!!!<br /><br />Now seriously, you are at the edge, but I would look at how much you are going to tow, how far, and if what terrain.<br /><br />i have a 1994 F-150 Supercab, 2WD with Tow package. By truck is rated at 7,300 lbs. I have on many occassions towed my wife's 1995 Suburban on an 18' flatbed trailer. Granted I had to be extra careful because that trailer does not have brakes (something that I will soon remedy). But I pulled that Suburban from Atlanta, GA to Savannah,GA when its transmission went out. No problems, and I have a 5.0Ltr 302 cid with 235,000 miles on that truck and tow all of the time.<br /><br />If you want a new truck, more power to you. Either let me borrow your checkbook or you wife (since mine will not let me get a new truck yet) so that I can get me one (Just kidding). But if your truck pulls the load okay on the sea trial, I do not think that you need to replace it as long as you let the truck do the work while towing and not push it.<br /><br />Just my $.02<br /><br />Knghtgang

 

[KM2]

Re: 1997 F150 towing

How far are you from the water and how often will you being towing? If you only have to travel a few miles to the water and are under the weight limits I wouldn't upgrade to a F250/350. Save the $ for gas. If you have to travel some 50 miles one way with hills etc, you better get a bigger truck. I love those big diesels for towing.<br /><br />FYI: Always tow with the overdrive off.

 

[MARKM3144]

Re: 1997 F150 towing

I Have to revise my weights the info I was given was incorrect.I was told 6500lbs but after doing some research myself the boat and trailer combination is 5300lbs I am sorry but the owner told me the wrong specs!

 

[Knightgang]

Re: 1997 F150 towing

Should not be a problem then. Like I said, i have a '94 with a 5.0ltr 302 with 235,000 miles on it and I tow all the time. Your F-150 should handle this tow with no problem. Let us know how it does on the trials.

 

[POINTER94]

Re: 1997 F150 towing

Offshore,<br /><br />I have the nearly identicle setup. I have a 25ft cabin cruiser with a weight of 6000lbs, towing with a 94 ford Bronco with a 351w.<br /><br />What I have found is you must spend time getting the trailer balanced. This is done by moving the axel trucks and the winch standard. The axels are the critical adjustment. Remember to have the boat loaded as closely as possible to how you will have it when towing. I had my cooler in boat full of "Beverages" at the time of my adjustment. I had a 3/4 tank of gas etc. Then I went to the truck scale to get an accurate weight from which to work from. <br /><br />Improvements can start cheap. I replaced all my shocks, ball joints, aleignment, etc. which ensured stability on the tow vehicle, I also put in an airbag leveling system on the rear suspension. By doing this I can get a smooth ride when not trailering and the added boost when I have a load. These will allow you to adjust the running attitude of the tow vehicle and allow you to slightly adjust the tongue weight on the hitch.<br /><br />I am contemplating an "equalizer" hitch because of the short wheelbase of the bronco, but it is my understanding that they do not help with the lateral stability just the weight distribution. A pole type trailer with surge brakes will not accept a standard weight distribution setup safely. I must say that I have no concerns with my current setup. It stays in tight and straight and is very predictable. The equalizer hitches are somewhat expensive, 500+ dollars.<br /><br />Will your truck handle the weight? Probably, but will it meet your needs I don't know. If you trailer a good distance or up and down hills and mountains you may be disappointed. If you are only going a few miles on flat land you may be just fine. <br /><br />I will say that I trailer quite a bit and in Wisconsin there are hills, but not Mountains and I can put the truck on cruise at 65-70mph without any problem. The first couple of trips prior to updates were a bit of a pantload.<br /><br />Good luck with your sea trials!!!!!!!!!!<br /><br />PPPPPPP = Prior Proper Planning Prevents Pi** Poor Performance.