04 stx 4.6 4wd towing weight
01-11-2013, 11:37 PM
#2
Senior Member
Read this. It might help.
The axle gearing is the determining factor.
http://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/96...-question.html
The axle gearing is the determining factor.
http://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/96...-question.html
01-12-2013, 09:53 AM
#3
My 2008 F150 SCAB 4.6L 4x4 is rated at 6100lbs with a 3.55 rear axle ratio. I tow a double axle trailer with two 2500lb rated axles (5000gvwr) with about 2 to 3 thousand lbs on it at a time, no problem with a proper brake controller. I suggest getting a Tekonsha P3, awesome controller.
So, with your 2004, you are looking at being able to tow 6000 to 7000 lbs, no problem, safely. It all has to do with your GVWR (Gross Vehicle Weight Rating) of your truck. They rate your truck at a maximum GCWR (Gross Combined Weight Rating), depending on your setup (Regular cab, super cab, crew cab), engine, and axle ratio (3.31, 3.55, 3.73, 4.10).
For example, my truck has a GVWR of 6950, which includes my curb weight, payload, and for towing, tongue weight. My curb weight is 5265, which is the actual weight of the vehicle. This leaves me with a payload of 1630, which I divide into myself, other passengers, payload, and tongue weight. Now, Ford rates my GCWR as 11,700 lbs. So, if you do the math, 11,700 - 5265 = 6435. Now, minus your weight, mine is 175 = 6260. That is my magic number that I can tow without subtracting the tongue weight. So, if your trailer weighs 5000 lbs, you can estimate the tongue being about 10% of that, so around 500 lbs, subtract that from your weight, which gives you 5,760 lbs of curb weight trailer you can safely tow.
Now, that is just all an example, but it is correct. To answer your question, in my experience, I can say you will be just fine towing a trailer between 6 and 7 thousand. Just do the math and you will figure it out. It may seem a lot to take in but it isn't that bad. Just remember, GVWR and curb weight are two entirely different things. If a trailer is rated for a GVWR of 7000lbs, it doesn't mean it is 7000lbs, it just means that trailer is rated to haul equipment, material, etc. up to 7000lbs. If the trailer has a curb weight of 7000lbs, that trailer weighs 7000lbs.
Just do your research and you'll figure it out. Good luck!
So, with your 2004, you are looking at being able to tow 6000 to 7000 lbs, no problem, safely. It all has to do with your GVWR (Gross Vehicle Weight Rating) of your truck. They rate your truck at a maximum GCWR (Gross Combined Weight Rating), depending on your setup (Regular cab, super cab, crew cab), engine, and axle ratio (3.31, 3.55, 3.73, 4.10).
For example, my truck has a GVWR of 6950, which includes my curb weight, payload, and for towing, tongue weight. My curb weight is 5265, which is the actual weight of the vehicle. This leaves me with a payload of 1630, which I divide into myself, other passengers, payload, and tongue weight. Now, Ford rates my GCWR as 11,700 lbs. So, if you do the math, 11,700 - 5265 = 6435. Now, minus your weight, mine is 175 = 6260. That is my magic number that I can tow without subtracting the tongue weight. So, if your trailer weighs 5000 lbs, you can estimate the tongue being about 10% of that, so around 500 lbs, subtract that from your weight, which gives you 5,760 lbs of curb weight trailer you can safely tow.
Now, that is just all an example, but it is correct. To answer your question, in my experience, I can say you will be just fine towing a trailer between 6 and 7 thousand. Just do the math and you will figure it out. It may seem a lot to take in but it isn't that bad. Just remember, GVWR and curb weight are two entirely different things. If a trailer is rated for a GVWR of 7000lbs, it doesn't mean it is 7000lbs, it just means that trailer is rated to haul equipment, material, etc. up to 7000lbs. If the trailer has a curb weight of 7000lbs, that trailer weighs 7000lbs.
Just do your research and you'll figure it out. Good luck!
01-13-2013, 09:04 PM
#5
No problem. Due to my job I've had to really read up and learn about all of this stuff just to avoid a hefty ticket. LEOs don't take kindly to commercial vehicles that are over weight, even if it's a F150! For your case, you'll be fine. What are you looking at towing anyways?