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Put close to 700 miles hauling my father's 64 chevy corvair back home from Des Moines where he bought it, never had any issues and barely lost any MPGs.
You will be fine up to your lower tow rating with the 5.0. compared to your super duty or the ecobost or 6.2. Just have realistic expectations... Its the base engine in a 1/2 ton. But a pretty good one!
Jeep ~ 3800 lbs ( no fuel )
Trailer ~ 2000 lbs
truck loaded ~ 400 lbs in bed / back seats.
No brake controller yet , no bags, and not using a w/d hitch and it pulls and stops fine . Avg between 11 and 13 mpg's depending on route. Better if I keep speed under 70. ( ordering a controller one of these days.)
I have had to adjust where it sits on the trailer ( too much tongue / not enough )but once I got the sweet spot marked it pulls fine every time since.
I'm not a beginner at towing so I have a great comfort level with this setup.
If you are not used to pulling a tt it may take a bit to get used to it. Go slow and gradually increase speeds until you are comfortable with the load / sway/ setup. Good luck.
Its the base engine in a 1/2 ton. But a pretty good one!
For most 2011-up F-150s, the base engine is the 3.7L V6. The 5.0L engine is the base engine in an F-150 only for a SuperCab with 8' box (163" wheelbase), SuperCrew with 6.5' box (157" wheelbase), or any SuperCrew 4x4.
The 3.7L V6 has gobs of horsepower, but is down or torque compared to the 5.0L V8. As a result, a SuperCab 4x4 with 6.5' box and optional 3.73 axle ratio has a tow rating of 6,100 pounds for the V6 and 9,400 pounds for the 5.0L.
For most 2011-up F-150s, the base engine is the 3.7L V6. The 5.0L engine is the base engine in an F-150 only for a SuperCab with 8' box (163" wheelbase), SuperCrew with 6.5' box (157" wheelbase), or any SuperCrew 4x4.
The 3.7L V6 has gobs of horsepower, but is down or torque compared to the 5.0L V8. As a result, a SuperCab 4x4 with 6.5' box and optional 3.73 axle ratio has a tow rating of 6,100 pounds for the V6 and 9,400 pounds for the 5.0L.
Yep 5.0 is base engine on most f150 models sold. Unless you have 373 axle its tow rating is lowest of all three main engines. 3.7 is not available for most popular configurations.
You shouldn't have any problem with your truck. I have the same set up, with tow package. I tow a 29 ft trailer 5785 lbs empty, and 7000 lbs GVWR, with a weight distribution hitch.
The truck does just fine with lots of power to pass slower vehicles. I took a trip on I 44 west through Missouri. Lots of very steep hills. I could hold 65 going up hill. It does drop down to 3rd gear (in tow/haul mode) on the steep ones. Gas mileage will go down quite a bit, but that is to be expected. I got 8 to 8.5 mpg.
The engine will run at a higher rpm when power is needed. If I remember correctly, the truck would run about 3700 rpm going up hill. It does not up shift to 6th gear very often, I probably should have just locked out 6th with the select shift. Runs 4th to 5th gear and sometimes 6th on the flats. Spent a lot of time in 4th.
I keep it at 65 or below (except briefly when passing, 75 mph no problem) because trailer tires are only rated for 65 mph.
Do you still have your F-150? If so, how's she doing today, still towing like a beast? We have a 2013 F-150 with 3.55. Payload is at 1580 lbs. We're looking to buy a Grey Wolf 26DBH TT. Weighs about 6300 empty and maxes as 7600 lbs, which is the max of our rig. Wondering if it's too big. Thoughts?
Do you still have your F-150? If so, how's she doing today, still towing like a beast? We have a 2013 F-150 with 3.55. Payload is at 1580 lbs. We're looking to buy a Grey Wolf 26DBH TT. Weighs about 6300 empty and maxes as 7600 lbs, which is the max of our rig. Wondering if it's too big. Thoughts?
As long as you stay within the payload and axle ratings you will be good. You should be fine as 13 percent of 7600 still leaves you close to 600 pounds of payload. The truck will pull it fine. The trailer in my pic was always within payload and axle but just barely and could often go over 8k.
As long as you stay within the payload and axle ratings you will be good. You should be fine as 13 percent of 7600 still leaves you close to 600 pounds of payload. The truck will pull it fine. The trailer in my pic was always within payload and axle but just barely and could often go over 8k.
First of all thanks for responding. I know it's been a long time since you originally posted. Secondly, that's a beautiful setup you have there.
Okay, payload is my main concern right now. With a family of 4, two labs and a camper shell, I might be pushing my max. However, I'm thinking a pair of air bags would help and eliminate my concern but I'm new to all this weight stuff. We had a 5er about four years ago. We towed it with a 2001 F-150. I was young and dumb back then. I just hooked it up and drove 😫. Would air bags help or hinder?
10-31-2013, 11:19 PM
