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I just bought a 1995 4X4 Super Cab 5.0L w/5speed manual trans.
The seller gave me the original window sticker, and the glossy F150 sales brochure from that year. I don’t have the owners manual.
From the sticker:
3.55 Ratio Limited Slip Axle $252
Trailer Towing Package. $317
203 #1 P/L 1815/GVWR 6250 LBS No Charge
Glancing at the sales brochure last night. Max Towing:
5.0L Super Cab 4X4 Automatic 3.55. 6,600Lbs
5.0L Super Cab 4X4 Manual. 3.55 3,000Lbs
I’m not arguing with the sales brochure, but I’m shocked that the manual transmission version would have less than half of the automatic towing capacity when otherwise identically configured. My son’s 2019 Nissan Frontier with a 2.5L and a manual transmission is rated for 3800 towing!
My questions are-1. Does anybody know if the “Trailer Towing Package” from that year or era of truck increased the towing capacity to something more useable. 2. What does the reference to 203 #1 P/L 1815/GVWR 6250 LBS-NO CHARGE mean? Does that somehow refer to an increase in the towing weight? Also, just out of curiosity, does anybody know why the manual trans would cut towing capacity in more than half?
The Mazda M5OD-R2 (Mazdog) transmission is NOT a heavy-duty stick. It's based on the -R1, which was for midsize & compact trucks. Automatics are naturally better for towing, and the 4R70W (based on the AOD/FMX) is rated for 700 lb-ft of input torque. I've never found a rating for the Mazdog.
The GVWR 6250 is just the max payload option for those f150s, so you should have sway bars, heavier duty springs, things like that.
As for the towing capacity, I have heard that the lower ratings for manuals was done for warranty reasons, because if you aren't too good at driving with a manual, the clutch can easily be burned up when under the stress of towing. And looking at my owners manual has lead me to believe that its true. Mainly because it doesn't specify which manual trans they talk about. The m5od was standard in f150s and is a lighter duty trans, but the zf s5-42 IS a heavy duty trans and was an option on all of the f-series trucks from that year. Another thing I noticed in my owners manual was that for the lighter duty trucks, it shows autos as having a much higher towing capacity, but for the heavier duty side, it shows the same capacity regardless of the trans.
Thanks for the info. Still shocked that an otherwise identical truck could have 55% less towing capacity just due to the choice of transmission. My fault though for not researching further before buying. I just assumed any full size V8 pickup could tow at least 5,000 pounds. I only need that much towing a couple times a year. Other than that, I love the truck. My first 150.
It will tow >5Kip. It'll tow a battleship. Just not safely on a public road at highway speeds with only the normal maintenance. The published rating is not a hard limit - the truck doesn't blow up if you connect it to a 10Kip trailer or one that weighs 3,001 lbs. It'll just wear out faster than Ford was willing to accept, and it won't be legal in some states.
The GVWR 6250 is just the max payload option for those f150s, so you should have sway bars, heavier duty springs, things like that.
As for the towing capacity, I have heard that the lower ratings for manuals was done for warranty reasons, because if you aren't too good at driving with a manual, the clutch can easily be burned up when under the stress of towing.
Not true. Clutches are a wear item and not covered by warranty, anyway.
OTOH, I could see Ford trying to cover their back sides against having to replace the 5-speed itself. As you mentioned, they have to balance out longevity and warranty costs. Our company F150 has towed 4-5 tons behind it without a TBC (before my time back) and although the truck still lives, you know all the suspension and brakes needed attention before it was planned.
As for one point the OP brought up, those transmissions that have heavy ratings also have heavy clutches and are a PITA to shift quickly.
Life is full of trade offs. Want an easy to shift transmission? It’s lighter duty. Want a trans that can pull a mansion off its foundation? You need an army to hop on the clutch pedal...
Last edited by Johnny Paycheck; Nov 25, 2021 at 03:40 PM.
Clutches are a wear item and not covered by warranty, anyway.
RONG. The clutch is NOT excluded from the warranty - it's covered exactly as long as the rest of the powertrain, provided there are no signs of abuse (like a 5th-wheel hitch on an F150).
Towing capacity?
