Towing with 3.3l xlt
04-18-2019, 12:24 PM
#11
Senior Member
Towing 7,500 pounds with a 3.3L will be a chore. Pulling the same boat that my 5.4L 3V had no issue with up the same grade my bud had it to the floorboards and it was losing speed with the climb despite the revs. By contrast my 5.4 would sit at about 3,500 RPM 2/3 throttle and not lose any speed whatsoever. The 3.3 doesn’t have torque for mountain passes or grades, get a 5.0L V8 if you want to tow that more easily.
04-19-2019, 07:35 AM
#12
Senile member
This 3.3 towing a TT came up on a local camping facebook group. Guy posted about having an F150 and wondering how it would handle his TT. No cab info, no motor info, and the first 10 replies were "Sure it'll tow 10,000lbs no problem".
I had to come on and ask the questions to find out the motor, and then bring it back to reality. I also made it clear that the folks who posted before me need to stop the 'ignorance is bliss' application to towing ratings, and explained that there are 3 different frames on F150s which determine GVWR, blah blah.
Next time someone tells me "if it works, let them do it" I swear I'm gonna lose it. If it works, but it's unsafe, it's still unsafe. You're not on the road alone. You share the road with everyone else, and ignorantly, knowingly, or carelessly putting other people at risk because you either bought the wrong truck or the wrong trailer is NOT acceptable.
I had to come on and ask the questions to find out the motor, and then bring it back to reality. I also made it clear that the folks who posted before me need to stop the 'ignorance is bliss' application to towing ratings, and explained that there are 3 different frames on F150s which determine GVWR, blah blah.
Next time someone tells me "if it works, let them do it" I swear I'm gonna lose it. If it works, but it's unsafe, it's still unsafe. You're not on the road alone. You share the road with everyone else, and ignorantly, knowingly, or carelessly putting other people at risk because you either bought the wrong truck or the wrong trailer is NOT acceptable.
04-19-2019, 09:04 AM
#14
I have a 2018 XLT F150. I am a bit confused about the towing capacity. The Ford Towing Guide says the 3.3l engine in my model can pull 7500, but the window sticker says 6500. Why is there a difference?
Also, my other question, is, with this truck, I am interested in a travel trailer that is just under the GVWR of 6500. With this trailer let's say it is maxed out at the 6500, would this truck be capable to pull this load up steep highs or mountains and would that load be a heavy strain on the tranny or engine?
Also, my other question, is, with this truck, I am interested in a travel trailer that is just under the GVWR of 6500. With this trailer let's say it is maxed out at the 6500, would this truck be capable to pull this load up steep highs or mountains and would that load be a heavy strain on the tranny or engine?
04-19-2019, 04:27 PM
#16
Senior Member
I have the 5.0 with 3.55 gears and a tow rating of 7700 lbs. I wouldn't pull a 6500 lb trailer with my truck. I don't care what it is rated for, I'd not pull anything heavier than about 3,000 lbs with that truck.
04-19-2019, 06:51 PM
#17
Senior Member
you wouldn't pull more than 6500 with your 5.0? the previous owner of my truck pulled 16,000 lbs of busted up concrete with it for about 2 miles to the dump. he said it pulled it and ran full throttle at 15 mph up a hill that wasn't all that steep. he said he wouldn't be afraid to do it again but not pull it very far. my truck is a 2004 with the 4.6
04-20-2019, 08:10 AM
#18
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Thanks to all for your input. With all the information I have compiled, are most of your talking gvrw on the trailers. The trailer that I would like to pull is 4200 dry. 6000 full gvrw. Is this trailer do able?
04-20-2019, 08:11 AM
#19
Senior Member
Gearing is also a huge factor in towing ability. I know with my 3.31's-they are not ideal for towing that much weight period. Unless it's maybe the 3.5 Eco. The 5.0's like to rev as we all know and I'm kicking myself for not finding a truck with at least 3.55 gears or maybe even 3.73's. I will be very curious to see how my truck tows with my tuner.