98 F-150 fixing to get used
03-24-2016, 06:44 PM
#1
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98 F-150 fixing to get used
Hey guys. Got a question. I have a 98 F150 4WD 4.6 205k. New motor was put in about 10k ago and original trans. My question is this. I'm working on a project that will require me to pull an 8.5x18 covered trailer 75-100 miles a day. Trailer weighs 3000 and cargo maybe 1500. So 4500 pounds pulled daily. Will the 4.6 handle it? I know it will if I drive it right but how much wear and tear is it gonna be? I also know the obvious answer to the question would be to upgrade to a 250 but my finances won't allow that right now. Thanks for the advice/info in advance!
04-19-2016, 07:20 AM
#2
Ski-Doo Master Technician
No problem, pin 'er up and go. My '97 pulls my 4000# camper with 1000lbs of gear in the box without issue, just kick off the OD by the switch and go.
Use a good weight distribution hitch, don't overtighten the torsion bars or it'll handle like crap, put just enough tension on the bars to raise the rear bumper an inch or 2 once it's pinned to the trailer.
Only issue I ever had with my F150 was the rad getting packed up and not cooling anymore. I put the larger 4wd rad in it and never saw the gauge move again, and I had 300+ thousand on it, still going strong. Going to the scrapyard due to rotten frame and body, but otherwise I'd still be driving it.
Use a good weight distribution hitch, don't overtighten the torsion bars or it'll handle like crap, put just enough tension on the bars to raise the rear bumper an inch or 2 once it's pinned to the trailer.
Only issue I ever had with my F150 was the rad getting packed up and not cooling anymore. I put the larger 4wd rad in it and never saw the gauge move again, and I had 300+ thousand on it, still going strong. Going to the scrapyard due to rotten frame and body, but otherwise I'd still be driving it.
04-19-2016, 09:12 PM
#3
Grumpy Old Man
Assuming a well-maintained pickup with automatic transmission and the factory trailer towing pkg with 3.55 axle ratio, then no problem with power and torque enough to PULL your 4,500 pound trailer. The tow rating is at least 6,100 pounds, and might be as high as 6,800 pounds depending on cab and tire choices.
That's not say the 4.6L 2V is a great tow drivetrain. I had a 2003 SuperCrew 4x2 with the 4.6L, 3.55 axle, and automatic tranny. I towed my 7x14 cargo trailer from west Texas to Phoenix and back and declared it a gutless wonder. I was used to a PowerStroke turbo-diesel, and the 4.6L 2V was disappointing. It got the job done, but no fun. Until that trip I hadn't realized how many long, steep grades there are on I-10 in Arizona.
But the big problem with any F-150 is payload capacity. So you cannot haul a heavy load in the bed, plus the weight of the hitch and the 600 pounds of tongue weight of the 4,500-pound trailer without exceeding the payload capacity of your F-150. So weigh the rig often to be sure you don't exceed the GVWR of your F-150. The total weight on the front and rear truck axles should not exceed the GVWR of your F-150.
04-19-2016, 10:08 PM
#4
Cycle For Fun and Health
If the trans is automatic - drop the pan, change the filter and refill the lost fluid with new fluid.