F-150
ohc V8 4.6L
220hp 290tq, 5-speed manual: 16/21

Bad idea to tow with a 5 speed? Also can the small v8 (4.6L) do ok with about 6000 lbs tow weight? Just wondering if anyone is using this model F-150.

 

disclaimer: I don't have a tow vehicle, and haven't owned one. I also hate trucks.

My understanding is that a manual trans. truck will have a lower tow capacity than an auto. This would be because putting strain on individual teeth in the gear box would snap said teeth. A torque converter has a higher overall load rating. HTH.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by madhatter &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">disclaimer: I don't have a tow vehicle, and haven't owned one. I also hate trucks.

My understanding is that a manual trans. truck will have a lower tow capacity than an auto. This would be because putting strain on individual teeth in the gear box would snap said teeth. A torque converter has a higher overall load rating. HTH.</TD></TR></TABLE>

I always thought the lower rating was because of the clutch. Slipping clutch to get moving with trailer = more warranty claims for burned out clutch bits.

 

This is known to be a rather weak 5 speed, that said I've have two of them (light-duty ZF clone made by Mazda) in two Rangers, and both held up fine with lots of towing. 6000lbs though is ALOT of weigh for this motor, auto or 5 speed. It you want Ford, I'd be looking at at least a 5.4, and if this is an enclosed your planning on pulling, at least a 3/4 ton truck.

 

I'm towing my prelude (2700lbs without me in it) + steal open trailer + tools ect...

I can get a good deal on said truck, but I'm a little worried about the small V8. I think it is rated at about 8000 lbs max towing cap.

 

As it has been explained to me, the reduced towing capacity of the manual is the lack of holding ability if the vehicle and trailer are parked on a hill.

Dunno if that makes sense, but basically the manual tranny has no park position, and we all know that the parking brake will barely hold the truck itself, much less 6000lbs worth of trailer.

 

leaving it in first or reverse is an option when parking on a hill no?

or is it different when u get to a manual truck

 

parking it is not a problem, and the clutch is not a real problem for me, I have changed them several times in my old truck. It's not that hard, and it's less than $150 in parts. I just want to know if the tranny and engine will hold up on the 4.6L V8. I'm wonding if the that small of a v8 will die going up hills towing my car. I was hopping someone here had/is using a F-150 and could give me some insite.

 

I think your location says it all. I wouldn't want to tow any kind of production based car up and down the hills near morgantown with that motor. If you lived in SC or FL it might make sense.

 

That's a lot of weight for the 4.6 motor and 5 speed. I've used a 5 speed for towing for a few years and it sucked. It's a real pain to back up slowly (slipping the clutch) when trying to park. Also, with that much weight, you'd be lucky to get double digit mileage with the 4.6. It has to work really hard to pull 4000lbs. As an example, Robert Carpenter and I caravaned down to Ft Meyers for a race a few years ago. He was pulling his CRX on a big open trailer behind a 4.6 F150 5 speed (~97-98?). I was pulling my Civic on a small open trailer behind my Astro. We were both traveling the same speeds, etc. He was getting around 12mph, and I was getting 16.

-Chris

 

I think the important question will be what the differential ratio number is. I have an '02 Exploder with the 4.6 V8 on an automatic and it has a 7000 tow rating and has done fine in my one CRX on the open 18 ft steel deck trailer and I am in the process of adding probably another 800+ lbs to the trailer in the form of a loaded 40 inch tall x 30 inch deep x 90 inch wide toolbox.

When I shopped for the Exploder, there were two different rear end ratios and one had a 7000 lb rating and a big Reese hitch (mine) and one had a 3500 lb rating and the small bore hitch. With the 6 cylinder engine, my diff ratio was lower and the other one was lower yet. So the diff number is going to be key to the capacity and since your listed rating was lower than the same engine in my Exploder, I'm betting that you have more of a highway/gas mileage gear. I am really happy with my 4.6 engine so far and look forward to towing solid but sensible loads with it.

 

I ahve towed with both, not very heavy trailers either time, A teg on an open trailer, and neither were bad...until I hit all that trafic leaving summit, as well as some in DC....I then vowed, when I get my own, it will be an Auto

 

thanks for the info, I will keep looking for a more suitable truck.

 

I'm selling my '00 F150 with the 5.4 and automatic, tows AWESOME and it's getting the best mileage of it's life.

It's got some body 'issues' so the price is going to be oh-so-right if you want it. PM me if you're interested, and forget about that whimpy 4.6! :D