I have a 2005 Ford F-150 4.2L,6cyl.with a standard cab. It has an 8 ft. bed. It has a tow package that contains a tranny cooler and a reese hitch.I am not sure about the suspension because I bought it used. It has a rear end geared at either 355 or 373.The GVRW is 6650. The manual says the towing capacity is 5000 or 5500 depending on the rear end. My problem is that I have gotten on other forums that said these figures are not practical. That the true numbers are alot lower. I am buying a camper and I need to know what weight is safe for me to tow. I really like my truck and I dont want to shorten its life by towing something too heavy.I need somebody who really knows what they are talking about. I thought I could find that here. Help. Thanks

 

depends on how much stress you want to put on the drivetrain, its not gonna be fun towing at max capacity no matter what you drive

 

Ford says the limit for a 5 speed 4.2 is 3500 lb. In reality, that only applies on flat ground...which would be why my clutch is warped from only 2000 lb.

In reality, it's all about how your geared. Think about it this way...the old 300's made less power and a little more torque. These engines were used to pull 20K lb trailers in 3/4 ton and 1 ton trucks back in the day. If you put a 4.10 gear set in the rear, you shouldn't have too much to be concerned with.

 

For the gears question, check your door jamb under axle code. It should either say h6 or b6. B is 3.73 and h is 3.55. Where will u be towing? Mountains or flat? A light pop up trailer should be fine.

 

What is L6?

Edit: Figured it out. It's a limited slip, 3.73 w/ ELD.

 

The old 300s pulled 20,000 lb trailers in 3/4 and 1 ton trucks??? I don't think so....certainly not a factory tow rating.....and nothing in the realm of safely........I would venture a guess that the maximum rating of any I-6 engine was less than 10,000 lbs. My 1992 F150 with the fuel injected 5.8 was rated to tow 7500 lbs with the 3.55 ratio.