dmfisher71

ok i am new here need some help.... i have a bone stock 2003 f150 extended cab 4x4 automatic with H9 rear axle (3.55 gears i do believe).... i just got a camper its a 31' trailer at 6500# dry which i know i am at the top of my trucks tow capacity.... i wish it had more power so here is my question should i invest in a power prgrammer (hypertec, edge, ect.), exhaust, cold air intake, maybe change rear end gears and maybe a better tranny cooler .... or should i just sell it and jump up to a 3/4 ton truck...... i do have an anderson hitch that does load leveling/weight distribution/anti sway that i got with the camper...........thanks in advance for any help

Jus Jim

Welcome to the forum. I can't help much with your problem but I do think that if you change gears you have to do both front and rear. Pretty sure I've read that somewhere.

daveak

The first thing you should do is check your payload capcity against your maximum suspected tongue weight. Tongue weight, people, and stuff in your truck all added up may exceed the cargo capacity of your half ton. If you are OK here, then start thinking about the other things.

SkiSmuggs

You don't necessarily need a 3/4 ton for a 6500# (dry) trailer, but you may need a better configured truck and a basic 3/4 may fit the bill. As for a tune, you would need to make sure that it is a tow tune and not a performance tune to keep from burning up the engine. Intake and exhaust don't have much benefit, but you do need to find out the towing and load ratings for your truck before investing any money in it. If you are over your capacities, you need a better configured truck. And you didn't say which engine you have. That 6500 goes to about 8K loaded.

dmfisher71

Sorry took me a while to reply. My truck has the 5.4 in it. I didn't realize it but the door sticker show 6500# is max tow cap..... I think we are going to try using the wife's expedition this weekend to pull it. It also a 2003 with 5.4 but it has h6 axles in it has the 3:73 gears with a max tow of 7300#

ranken

Does the extended cab lower the tow capacity that much? I have a 2009 straight cab long bed, 5.4 3:55 rear end. Tow limit 9600 lbs. payload 1960 lbs. have had 10,500 # behind it (for a short haul) an 2400# on bed. No problems.

zx12-iowa

No need for 3/4 ton. Justbgetbnewer half ton. They will,out tow older 3/4 tons.