Bordo78

I've been wondering this myself. Tow limit on the new F-150 hovers around 7,000 pounds depending on the setup. And you bring up a valid point of stress on the driveline. I think the F-150 with 3.55 gears or lower will pull it. But I agree, a 250 will pull it comfortably. He lives in a mountainous area. So a 250 might be better anyway.

Thanks!

Gene45

If it really is 3.31 gears with 5 speed, did you try towing in 4th? That would get more RPM and perform similar to a 4.72 axle.

I had a couple of Dodge vans with 3:21 axle and no overdrive, one I towed a jeep (49 ******) behind it and had no issues ,

I tested a company chevy pickup years go that the field folks said had no power. They drove on gravel road at no more than 50 mph. It was a 305 motor and four speed automatic. I took it out on the highway and stood on the throttle from a dead stop. At 75 mph it shifted two more times. It had a 3.08 axle and 0.7 overdrive which would make it like the old 1:1 direct drive with 2.15 axle. The damn thing was an Indy Racer, not a work truck.

I once had a old motor home built out of an International truck. It had a four speed with 1:1 high gear and 6.17 axle, 7:50 17 tires and a 264 six cylinder. Top speed was about 65 mph. I changed the axle to 4.83 and it would not go any faster but made a lot less noise.

A7B2FX4

302's and 300's in the 90's were dogs at towing no matter what axles. Occasional towing go with the F150. Tow a lot go F250. No matter which you choose make sure to equip it for towing the load.

xlttune

Go with the 250, I have both and both will pull the same 16' trailer, 5800-6000 lbs, the 250 suspension handles it better.

raisin

5k is not alot to tow in my opinion. I towed my 6K trailer in the east and the west for 10 years with my 89' 302 Bronco. No engine, transmission or rear end problems. I still have it. Of course my 99' 5.4 F250LD (F150 7700LB) pulls it much better. No problems either after 15 years. His dad just has too hi a rear end ratio. Older shocks springs etc. A new properly equiped F-150 is enough. 5.0 3.55. 3.73 better. Of course F-250 would do it some better but not needed. I do believe in light truck tires to limit sway..

Wanted33

Bordo, you can go with the F250, but respectfully that's overkill for towing 5000 pounds. Even the F-150 with the 3.7L engine is rated at 5700 lbs. towing. Like someone else said, if your looking to buy new, an F-150 with the 5.0L w/3.55 or 3.73 gears will pull that weight like it's not there. You don't have to worry about the driveline, chassis, or anything else, it will be fine.




www.ford.com will have all the info. you need to help make your decision. Good luck.

sportster07

My f150 (4.10 ratio, 35's) doesn't pull a light construction trailer near as easy as our f250. If you live in the mountains, get a f250 with a decent gear ratio and don't even think about weight because it'll haul what you need to no problems at all. You don't have to worry about losing speed on the highway or driveline stress and even though they tell you an f150 will pull over 7000 pounds that's not easy on things. The f250 has a beefier transmission, beefier differentials and everything else is made to take the extra stress. It's like comparing me to a body builder. I can bench press 220 pounds but it's really hard for me and it's my absolute max. It takes a lot less out of a power lifter to do that as that's nothing to those guys. It's the same with a truck, why kill your f150 when you can just get a bigger truck and not worry about it? It's better to have a little too much truck then not enough.

xlttune

The real question is how often is he going to be pulling the trailer? Twice a year, get the f150 5.0 with the 3.73 (or 4.10 if you can get one that way), a lot during the year, get the f250 with 4.30.

Bordo78

I agree. That's exactly what I told my dad. Thanks!

08f150fromNH

I agree with above.
The new F150's are a different breed then the late 80's early 90's vintage.
I towed my 66 Fairlane around during its restoration process with a 03 F150 and I had zero problems. The older 302's had minimal power for a truck ( 175hp ish ) and alot had highway gearing. Bad combo for towing.

For occasional towing I wouldn't hesitate on a newer F150.