Originally Posted by revill28

I have a 2005 Ford F-150 with the 4.2L,6cyl.engine. It is an automatic. The rear end gear ratio is either 355 or 373. It came with a tow package that included a tranny cooler and a reese hitch. I bought it used so I dont know about the suspension. The GVRW IS 6650. The manual states the towing capacity is either 5000lbs. or 5600lbs. depending on the rear end. What I need to know is, what weight is practical for me to tow. I am buying a camper. I have been on forums that say the weights in the manual are not realistic. I dont want to shorten the life of my truck. I currently have 44,000 mi. on it. I am retired and would like to have this truck last. Can someone help me clear up this confusion? My wife and I will be going out this weekend looking at campers, so I need this info soon . Hope to hear from someone with the knowledge to clear this up for me. Thanks

Originally Posted by 06screwlariat

Get the V8, i think the V6 would be working too hard to pull the trailer, and it's not your daily driver, so i'd just get a V8. the MPG is probably 1-2 MPG worst at the most. Plus the V8 has 4x4 which is always useful, snow, beach, off-roading. Since it's not your daily I'd go with the V8