F150 Towing - clarification on weight limit...

[IYM]

I'm a little confused on the max weight for towing with my F150 as I
seem to be misunderstanding the GVWR on the door vs. what is stated in
manuals and online.

The specs on the truck off the sticker are thus:

1999 F-150 4x2 SuperCab Lariat
4-speed auto transmission
4.6 EFI V8
3.55 ratio axle
Trailer tow package
6050# GVWR Package

Now, from the manual (which matches online references I've found):

Trailer towing table:

F150 4x2 with automatic Transmission

4.6 V8, 3.55 ratio, supercab
Maximum GCWR: 11,500 lbs.
Maximum Trailer weight: 7,000 lbs.


I even found online references/sites that state 8,000 lbs. for the
above, but I'll trust the manual. I'm the original owner and ordered
this truck from the factory new, so I know the truck inside and out.

My question is mostly this: I beleive the GCWR is the combined truck,
trailer, family, shaving kit, etc total weight. What is the disparity
between the sticker/door plate "6050# GVWR" and the stated 7K lbs
towing? I have a good deal on a trailer that I hate to pass up, but
the trailer is sitting at 6,500 lbs. This is as heavy as I wanted to go
and does not leave a lot of room, and I understand I'll be tight and
close to max on weight, but was just curious, as that 6050# has got me
confused.

[IYM]

Post by IYM
I'm a little confused on the max weight for towing with my F150 as I
seem to be misunderstanding the GVWR on the door vs. what is stated in
manuals and online.
1999 F-150 4x2 SuperCab Lariat
4-speed auto transmission
4.6 EFI V8
3.55 ratio axle
Trailer tow package
6050# GVWR Package
F150 4x2 with automatic Transmission
4.6 V8, 3.55 ratio, supercab
Maximum GCWR: 11,500 lbs.
Maximum Trailer weight: 7,000 lbs.
I even found online references/sites that state 8,000 lbs. for the
above, but I'll trust the manual. I'm the original owner and ordered
this truck from the factory new, so I know the truck inside and out.
My question is mostly this: I beleive the GCWR is the combined truck,
trailer, family, shaving kit, etc total weight. What is the disparity
between the sticker/door plate "6050# GVWR" and the stated 7K lbs
towing? I have a good deal on a trailer that I hate to pass up, but
the trailer is sitting at 6,500 lbs. This is as heavy as I wanted to go
and does not leave a lot of room, and I understand I'll be tight and
close to max on weight, but was just curious, as that 6050# has got me
confused.

Erg - I;m a friggin' idiot, right? Is the 6050# is the weight of the
damn truck? If so - I feel stupid...sorry. But if so, am I
misunderstanding that GCWR of 11,500 lbs? 6K truck plus 7K max trailer
= 13K total....so, what is the 11,5oo if the 6050# is the truck weight?

LOL - how about this: Can I tow a 6,500 lbs trailer with the above rig?
:) Doesn't seem like a lot of trailer for this truck.

BTW - the online reference stating 8300 lbs I found was here, which
seems to contridict the 7,000 in the manual:

http://www.fordf150.net/specs/99tow.php

[IYM]

Post by IYM

Post by IYM
I'm a little confused on the max weight for towing with my F150 as I
seem to be misunderstanding the GVWR on the door vs. what is stated in
manuals and online.
1999 F-150 4x2 SuperCab Lariat
4-speed auto transmission
4.6 EFI V8
3.55 ratio axle
Trailer tow package
6050# GVWR Package
F150 4x2 with automatic Transmission
4.6 V8, 3.55 ratio, supercab
Maximum GCWR: 11,500 lbs.
Maximum Trailer weight: 7,000 lbs.
I even found online references/sites that state 8,000 lbs. for the
above, but I'll trust the manual. I'm the original owner and ordered
this truck from the factory new, so I know the truck inside and out.
My question is mostly this: I beleive the GCWR is the combined truck,
trailer, family, shaving kit, etc total weight. What is the disparity
between the sticker/door plate "6050# GVWR" and the stated 7K lbs
towing? I have a good deal on a trailer that I hate to pass up, but
the trailer is sitting at 6,500 lbs. This is as heavy as I wanted to
go and does not leave a lot of room, and I understand I'll be tight
and close to max on weight, but was just curious, as that 6050# has
got me confused.

Erg - I;m a friggin' idiot, right? Is the 6050# is the weight of the
damn truck? If so - I feel stupid...sorry. But if so, am I
misunderstanding that GCWR of 11,500 lbs? 6K truck plus 7K max trailer
= 13K total....so, what is the 11,5oo if the 6050# is the truck weight?
LOL - how about this: Can I tow a 6,500 lbs trailer with the above rig?
:) Doesn't seem like a lot of trailer for this truck.
BTW - the online reference stating 8300 lbs I found was here, which
http://www.fordf150.net/specs/99tow.php

A little more research and I found my own answers...Too much trailer for
my truck I feel. It's a camping trailer, and the 6,500 lbs is the dry
weight and does not include the propane tanks, water weight etc, etc.
all of which is just over 7K before I even throw my stuff in it. At 33
ft, I don't want to crawling up grades at 35mph and getting the "what
are you, nuts?!?" looks from the guy passing me in the F250. Not worth
killing my truck over. Gonna start looking to back it down a notch to
around a 5K lb trailer and somewhere in the 25' area on length...

Thanks though in advance, and if anyone had other advise to chime in,
let me know...

[Steve in AZ]

Hello IYM "S U N,

So, I have an '07 F150 and was told by a Ford Salesman I have the "Tow Package".
So I do some research. The only package available is the Heavy Duty package.
But, I have components of the HD package-large external tranny cooler, 3.73
LS rear, 75 amp alternator, 4 & 7 pin connectors, etc.

I found a couple of links from Ford Fleet that explains it all in detail:

https://www.fleet.ford.com/showroom/rv_trailer_towing/2007/2007_default.asp

https://www.fleet.ford.com/showroom/rv_trailer_towing/2007/07RVtwequippckchrtApr08.pdf

According to the chart, I'm good for 9500 lbs. My wife and I are looking
for a 32-34' travel trailer and this was good news for me!

Anyway, the transmission is the same (4R70W) for both the F150 and F250.
I'm going to add a tranny temp gauge on my pillar as I use the Torque app
with my Droid just to make sure!

Steve



No trees were killed in the sending of this message. However a large number
of electrons were terribly inconvenienced.

Post by IYM

Post by IYM

Post by IYM
I'm a little confused on the max weight for towing with my F150 as I
seem to be misunderstanding the GVWR on the door vs. what is stated
in manuals and online.
1999 F-150 4x2 SuperCab Lariat
4-speed auto transmission
4.6 EFI V8
3.55 ratio axle
Trailer tow package
6050# GVWR Package
F150 4x2 with automatic Transmission
4.6 V8, 3.55 ratio, supercab
Maximum GCWR: 11,500 lbs.
Maximum Trailer weight: 7,000 lbs.
I even found online references/sites that state 8,000 lbs. for the
above, but I'll trust the manual. I'm the original owner and
ordered this truck from the factory new, so I know the truck inside
and out.
My question is mostly this: I beleive the GCWR is the combined
truck, trailer, family, shaving kit, etc total weight. What is the
disparity between the sticker/door plate "6050# GVWR" and the stated
7K lbs towing? I have a good deal on a trailer that I hate to pass
up, but the trailer is sitting at 6,500 lbs. This is as heavy as I
wanted to go and does not leave a lot of room, and I understand I'll
be tight and close to max on weight, but was just curious, as that
6050# has got me confused.

Erg - I;m a friggin' idiot, right? Is the 6050# is the weight of the
damn truck? If so - I feel stupid...sorry. But if so, am I
misunderstanding that GCWR of 11,500 lbs? 6K truck plus 7K max
trailer = 13K total....so, what is the 11,5oo if the 6050# is the
truck weight?
LOL - how about this: Can I tow a 6,500 lbs trailer with the above
rig? :) Doesn't seem like a lot of trailer for this truck.
BTW - the online reference stating 8300 lbs I found was here, which
http://www.fordf150.net/specs/99tow.php

A little more research and I found my own answers...Too much trailer
for my truck I feel. It's a camping trailer, and the 6,500 lbs is the
dry weight and does not include the propane tanks, water weight etc,
etc. all of which is just over 7K before I even throw my stuff in it.
At 33 ft, I don't want to crawling up grades at 35mph and getting the
"what are you, nuts?!?" looks from the guy passing me in the F250.
Not worth killing my truck over. Gonna start looking to back it down
a notch to around a 5K lb trailer and somewhere in the 25' area on
length...
Thanks though in advance, and if anyone had other advise to chime in,
let me know...

[75yrs.experience]

Post by Steve in AZ
Hello IYM "S U N,
So, I have an '07 F150 and was told by a Ford Salesman I have the "Tow
Package". So I do some research. The only package available is the Heavy
Duty package. But, I have components of the HD package-large external
tranny cooler, 3.73 LS rear, 75 amp alternator, 4 & 7 pin connectors, etc.
https://www.fleet.ford.com/showroom/rv_trailer_towing/2007/2007_default.asp
https://www.fleet.ford.com/showroom/rv_trailer_towing/2007/07RVtwequippckchrtApr08.pdf
According to the chart, I'm good for 9500 lbs. My wife and I are looking
for a 32-34' travel trailer and this was good news for me!
Anyway, the transmission is the same (4R70W) for both the F150 and F250.
I'm going to add a tranny temp gauge on my pillar as I use the Torque
app with my Droid just to make sure!
Steve
No trees were killed in the sending of this message. However a large
number of electrons were terribly inconvenienced.

Post by IYM

Post by IYM

Post by IYM
I'm a little confused on the max weight for towing with my F150 as I
seem to be misunderstanding the GVWR on the door vs. what is stated
in manuals and online.
1999 F-150 4x2 SuperCab Lariat
4-speed auto transmission
4.6 EFI V8
3.55 ratio axle
Trailer tow package
6050# GVWR Package
F150 4x2 with automatic Transmission
4.6 V8, 3.55 ratio, supercab
Maximum GCWR: 11,500 lbs.
Maximum Trailer weight: 7,000 lbs.
I even found online references/sites that state 8,000 lbs. for the
above, but I'll trust the manual. I'm the original owner and
ordered this truck from the factory new, so I know the truck inside
and out.
My question is mostly this: I beleive the GCWR is the combined
truck, trailer, family, shaving kit, etc total weight. What is the
disparity between the sticker/door plate "6050# GVWR" and the stated
7K lbs towing? I have a good deal on a trailer that I hate to pass
up, but the trailer is sitting at 6,500 lbs. This is as heavy as I
wanted to go and does not leave a lot of room, and I understand I'll
be tight and close to max on weight, but was just curious, as that
6050# has got me confused.

Erg - I;m a friggin' idiot, right? Is the 6050# is the weight of the
damn truck? If so - I feel stupid...sorry. But if so, am I
misunderstanding that GCWR of 11,500 lbs? 6K truck plus 7K max
trailer = 13K total....so, what is the 11,5oo if the 6050# is the
truck weight?
LOL - how about this: Can I tow a 6,500 lbs trailer with the above
rig? :) Doesn't seem like a lot of trailer for this truck.
BTW - the online reference stating 8300 lbs I found was here, which
http://www.fordf150.net/specs/99tow.php

A little more research and I found my own answers...Too much trailer
for my truck I feel. It's a camping trailer, and the 6,500 lbs is the
dry weight and does not include the propane tanks, water weight etc,
etc. all of which is just over 7K before I even throw my stuff in it.
At 33 ft, I don't want to crawling up grades at 35mph and getting the
"what are you, nuts?!?" looks from the guy passing me in the F250.
Not worth killing my truck over. Gonna start looking to back it down
a notch to around a 5K lb trailer and somewhere in the 25' area on
length...
Thanks though in advance, and if anyone had other advise to chime in,
let me know...

My F-150 has everything you listed factory installed. But my towing
package has an engine oil cooler also. I would give serious thought to
adding a programmer. It will give you more power, more torque, raise
your mpg, and you can upgrade the shifting on your transmission.
Ron in Tampa.....

[Steve in AZ]

Thanks Ron!!! Definitely on the wish list!!!!


Steve

No trees were killed in the sending of this message. However a large number
of electrons were terribly inconvenienced.

Post by 75yrs.experience

Post by Steve in AZ
Hello IYM "S U N,
So, I have an '07 F150 and was told by a Ford Salesman I have the
"Tow Package". So I do some research. The only package available is
the Heavy Duty package. But, I have components of the HD
package-large external tranny cooler, 3.73 LS rear, 75 amp
alternator, 4 & 7 pin connectors, etc. I found a couple of links from
https://www.fleet.ford.com/showroom/rv_trailer_towing/2007/2007_defau
lt.asp
https://www.fleet.ford.com/showroom/rv_trailer_towing/2007/07RVtwequi
ppckchrtApr08.pdf
According to the chart, I'm good for 9500 lbs. My wife and I are
looking for a 32-34' travel trailer and this was good news for me!
Anyway, the transmission is the same (4R70W) for both the F150 and
F250. I'm going to add a tranny temp gauge on my pillar as I use the
Torque app with my Droid just to make sure!
Steve
No trees were killed in the sending of this message. However a large
number of electrons were terribly inconvenienced.

Post by IYM

Post by IYM

Post by IYM
I'm a little confused on the max weight for towing with my F150 as
I seem to be misunderstanding the GVWR on the door vs. what is
stated in manuals and online.
1999 F-150 4x2 SuperCab Lariat
4-speed auto transmission
4.6 EFI V8
3.55 ratio axle
Trailer tow package
6050# GVWR Package
F150 4x2 with automatic Transmission
4.6 V8, 3.55 ratio, supercab
Maximum GCWR: 11,500 lbs.
Maximum Trailer weight: 7,000 lbs.
I even found online references/sites that state 8,000 lbs. for the
above, but I'll trust the manual. I'm the original owner and
ordered this truck from the factory new, so I know the truck inside
and out.
My question is mostly this: I beleive the GCWR is the combined
truck, trailer, family, shaving kit, etc total weight. What is
the disparity between the sticker/door plate "6050# GVWR" and the
stated 7K lbs towing? I have a good deal on a trailer that I
hate to pass up, but the trailer is sitting at 6,500 lbs. This is
as heavy as I wanted to go and does not leave a lot of room, and I
understand I'll be tight and close to max on weight, but was just
curious, as that 6050# has got me confused.

Erg - I;m a friggin' idiot, right? Is the 6050# is the weight of
the damn truck? If so - I feel stupid...sorry. But if so, am I
misunderstanding that GCWR of 11,500 lbs? 6K truck plus 7K max
trailer = 13K total....so, what is the 11,5oo if the 6050# is the
truck weight?
LOL - how about this: Can I tow a 6,500 lbs trailer with the above
rig? :) Doesn't seem like a lot of trailer for this truck.
BTW - the online reference stating 8300 lbs I found was here, which
http://www.fordf150.net/specs/99tow.php

A little more research and I found my own answers...Too much trailer
for my truck I feel. It's a camping trailer, and the 6,500 lbs is
the dry weight and does not include the propane tanks, water weight
etc, etc. all of which is just over 7K before I even throw my stuff
in it. At 33 ft, I don't want to crawling up grades at 35mph and
getting the "what are you, nuts?!?" looks from the guy passing me
in the F250. Not worth killing my truck over. Gonna start looking
to back it down a notch to around a 5K lb trailer and somewhere in
the 25' area on length...
Thanks though in advance, and if anyone had other advise to chime
in, let me know...

My F-150 has everything you listed factory installed. But my towing
package has an engine oil cooler also. I would give serious thought to
adding a programmer. It will give you more power, more torque, raise
your mpg, and you can upgrade the shifting on your transmission.
Ron in Tampa.....

[IYM]

Post by 75yrs.experience

Post by Steve in AZ
Hello IYM "S U N,
So, I have an '07 F150 and was told by a Ford Salesman I have the "Tow
Package". So I do some research. The only package available is the
Heavy Duty package. But, I have components of the HD package-large
external tranny cooler, 3.73 LS rear, 75 amp alternator, 4 & 7 pin
connectors, etc.
https://www.fleet.ford.com/showroom/rv_trailer_towing/2007/2007_default.asp
https://www.fleet.ford.com/showroom/rv_trailer_towing/2007/07RVtwequippckchrtApr08.pdf
According to the chart, I'm good for 9500 lbs. My wife and I are
looking for a 32-34' travel trailer and this was good news for me!
Anyway, the transmission is the same (4R70W) for both the F150 and
F250. I'm going to add a tranny temp gauge on my pillar as I use the
Torque app with my Droid just to make sure!
Steve
No trees were killed in the sending of this message. However a large
number of electrons were terribly inconvenienced.

Post by IYM

Post by IYM

Post by IYM
I'm a little confused on the max weight for towing with my F150 as I
seem to be misunderstanding the GVWR on the door vs. what is stated
in manuals and online.
1999 F-150 4x2 SuperCab Lariat
4-speed auto transmission
4.6 EFI V8
3.55 ratio axle
Trailer tow package
6050# GVWR Package
F150 4x2 with automatic Transmission
4.6 V8, 3.55 ratio, supercab
Maximum GCWR: 11,500 lbs.
Maximum Trailer weight: 7,000 lbs.
I even found online references/sites that state 8,000 lbs. for the
above, but I'll trust the manual. I'm the original owner and
ordered this truck from the factory new, so I know the truck inside
and out.
My question is mostly this: I beleive the GCWR is the combined
truck, trailer, family, shaving kit, etc total weight. What is the
disparity between the sticker/door plate "6050# GVWR" and the stated
7K lbs towing? I have a good deal on a trailer that I hate to pass
up, but the trailer is sitting at 6,500 lbs. This is as heavy as I
wanted to go and does not leave a lot of room, and I understand I'll
be tight and close to max on weight, but was just curious, as that
6050# has got me confused.

Erg - I;m a friggin' idiot, right? Is the 6050# is the weight of the
damn truck? If so - I feel stupid...sorry. But if so, am I
misunderstanding that GCWR of 11,500 lbs? 6K truck plus 7K max
trailer = 13K total....so, what is the 11,5oo if the 6050# is the
truck weight?
LOL - how about this: Can I tow a 6,500 lbs trailer with the above
rig? :) Doesn't seem like a lot of trailer for this truck.
BTW - the online reference stating 8300 lbs I found was here, which
http://www.fordf150.net/specs/99tow.php

A little more research and I found my own answers...Too much trailer
for my truck I feel. It's a camping trailer, and the 6,500 lbs is the
dry weight and does not include the propane tanks, water weight etc,
etc. all of which is just over 7K before I even throw my stuff in it.
At 33 ft, I don't want to crawling up grades at 35mph and getting the
"what are you, nuts?!?" looks from the guy passing me in the F250.
Not worth killing my truck over. Gonna start looking to back it down
a notch to around a 5K lb trailer and somewhere in the 25' area on
length...
Thanks though in advance, and if anyone had other advise to chime in,
let me know...

My F-150 has everything you listed factory installed. But my towing
package has an engine oil cooler also. I would give serious thought to
adding a programmer. It will give you more power, more torque, raise
your mpg, and you can upgrade the shifting on your transmission.
Ron in Tampa.....

I'm the OP with th '99 F150 with the specs listed...

I did not go with the trailer I mentioned as I felt it was too heavy. I
did actually find a better deal this past weekend at another dealer that
was a better fit...5200# dry weight, 6800 max. I plan to do regional
camping to start with along the east coast, so I'll see how she goes
along trips into PA, upstate NY, down along the relatively I-95 flat run
to Florida and the such, before I ever consider going over something
like the rockies or something...lol. If I don't feel the truck is up to
it, I do have access to a GMC 2500 that'll do the trick. :) My retired
Pop has put a total of 600 miles on in 2 years since he retired and I
could always borrow that for a long haul if I don't feel the F150 is up
to it. I just feel dirty driving a GM...lol

Thanks for the feedback...