1997 F-150 towing question?
- Thread starter utahxjer
- Start date
WayneXJ
grocery getter driver
- Location
- So. Jordan
Yes
but I wouldn't want to if it was me.
but I wouldn't want to if it was me.
Just looking at the charts on the 2005's (are the 97's much different??) the max tow weight is 6200 pounds. A trailer, plus rig would put you close to that weight already. Add in some passengers, camping gear, spare parts, tools (to fix the broken F*rd of course 
) and you will easily go over that limit. I think that the answer is yes you could tow a rig with a 150, but you are close to your max limit already. If you know and understand that and play it conservative you should be ok, but for that kind of work you should look at stepping up to a 3/4 ton.
The other side of this is the 4.6L puts out 230HP, that engine is going to struggle to get moving and to pull all of that up a hill. Sure it will do it, but you will need to exercise patients as those VW vans pass you going up parleys. Ok it would not be that bad, but you get the idea.
) and you will easily go over that limit. I think that the answer is yes you could tow a rig with a 150, but you are close to your max limit already. If you know and understand that and play it conservative you should be ok, but for that kind of work you should look at stepping up to a 3/4 ton. The other side of this is the 4.6L puts out 230HP, that engine is going to struggle to get moving and to pull all of that up a hill. Sure it will do it, but you will need to exercise patients as those VW vans pass you going up parleys. Ok it would not be that bad, but you get the idea.
utahxjer said:
Trailer brakes are a must. I think that even Utah law requires it, but either way that is a lot of weight to stop, get all the help you can
cooler will help get more life out of the tranny. helper springs may help you carry more weight, but their are other issues as well. Like 6000 pounds behind you when you only weight 6000 pounds (what is the weight of a 150 anyways?)
more info...
Max trailor weight of different trucks
F150 = 6200
F250 = 11200 - 12500 (depending on engine)
F350 = 11400 - 15000 (depedning on engine)
An upgrade to a 3/4 ton will double your tow capacity. Gears and wheel base will change come of these numbers, but this will give you an idea. I took all of the info from the F*rd website, if you look around you can get a better idea of how weight, wheel base, gears, engine, brakes, etc can determine what you can pull.
Max trailor weight of different trucks
F150 = 6200
F250 = 11200 - 12500 (depending on engine)
F350 = 11400 - 15000 (depedning on engine)
An upgrade to a 3/4 ton will double your tow capacity. Gears and wheel base will change come of these numbers, but this will give you an idea. I took all of the info from the F*rd website, if you look around you can get a better idea of how weight, wheel base, gears, engine, brakes, etc can determine what you can pull.
Burl Swift
Bronco Newb
- Location
- West Valley City, Utah
Rusted's pretty much covered everything, but...I do have a picture for you of someone I know who pulls his FSB with a new F-150:
And here is what he had to say about it:
Me personally...I'd tow that beast with a diesel, but you can do it without.
And here is what he had to say about it:
Me personally...I'd tow that beast with a diesel, but you can do it without.
- Location
- Grantsville, Utah
You should be fine. It will be a little more stressful than towing with a 3/4 ton but it will work.
crimsonride
huh?
- Location
- Murray
I've towed my YJ and FJ40 both with a 99 F150. Like the others say, it's about the most you want to put the truck up to and you're going to be going slow. Mountain passes are going to be pretty slow and trailer brakes are a must. Our F150 has a hard time stopping with just my snowmobiles behind it.
rusted said:Just looking at the charts on the 2005's (are the 97's much different??) the max tow weight is 6200 pounds. A trailer, plus rig would put you close to that weight already. Add in some passengers, camping gear, spare parts, tools (to fix the broken F*rd of course
The other side of this is the 4.6L puts out 230HP, that engine is going to struggle to get moving and to pull all of that up a hill. Sure it will do it, but you will need to exercise patients as those VW vans pass you going up parleys. Ok it would not be that bad, but you get the idea.
FWIW, there is a huge difference between the 2005s and 97s...they totally redid the frames, brakes, suspension, etc in 2004 (I believe its 2004)...they beefed everything up...I had a buddy with a 97 F150...he towed tons of stuff with it. He carried a slide-in camper and towed three horses around to shows around the state. He knew it was more than his truck should be towing but he did it anyways. Things he worked up to, stiff springs all around, also added OL springs to the rear. He obviously used a brake controller, he also upgraded to E rated tires (he said it made quite a bit of difference, which I can imagine it would from the stock C rated tires). He didn;t do much to the engine or tranny, altough he did have a 5 speed and not an auto.
Would I do it, no, can it be done sure but it will have pucker factor in most situations and in some situations it will be best just to p;ull over and be patient. Also, dont plan on getting anywhere fast.
81Ramchargerman
Registered User
- Location
- idaho falls
Shawn said:Bahahahahahahaha!!!!!!!!!!!
LMAO!!!!
Y...because you don't have a ford?
My dad's 79 econoline conversion van never has problems!! Although, it weighs well over 8000lbs (vehicle alone). But at least we never have problems towing, plus he got it cheap. We load up our 3500 lb boat with all the camping gear it takes for a family to go camping for a week, plus our contribution to the rest of the group of 42 people, and go to palisades resevoir.
- Location
- Grantsville, Utah
I don't know about that....Shawn said:no because I'm smart enough NOT to own one.........
81Ramchargerman
Registered User
- Location
- idaho falls
lol ...I have a dodge but I have to say, that van is near indestructible, and we beat the hell out of my buddies ranger, although that started to show after about 6 month.
...I have a dodge but I have to say, that van is near indestructible, and we beat the hell out of my buddies ranger, although that started to show after about 6 month. 
BBowski82
What are you looking at?
- Location
- Haubstadt, In
Shawn said:no because I'm smart enough NOT to own one.........
Don't you own a Subaru there old man?? Whats wrong with Ford's, huh? I work for Ford and think they make a great product---especially when talking about trucks. Now our cars.....
- Location
- Grantsville, Utah
That's like the same comparison between Jeeps and Dodge Caravans. They are both made by DC.....BBowski82 said: