weight police/ please comment

powderman426 wrote:

JIMNLIN wrote:

I would guess tho the truck will be very close if not over its 3900 RAWR/P tire and wheel capacity. If so I would purchase a set of higher rated LT C or a D load range tires. Be sure your OEM wheels can handle the increased load and pressures.

Heavier tires and wheels will not increase the axle weight rating.

I never said tires and wheels will increase axle ratings.

the truck has 7 lugs, tire rated for 3043 lbs at 80 psi, my father in law that gave it to me called it a very heavy 1/2 ton (gave it too me fits my budget) only 67,000 on a 14 year old truck! will probably do as many bolt on items that help as I can, suggestions welcome to this newbie, yall been pulling much longer than me.

g4sbrg wrote:
well I down loaded the 2000 towing brochure from above and it seems I have every option available to tow. I agree I should and most likely will hit the scales, some towing info was confusing// // are trucks rated for more with a 5ver than a bumper hitch? // in either case it looks like the truck in theory can handle the pull weight "it is close", so far the short trip 50 miles up the road the truck handled well 2200 to 3000 rpm at 60 mph (not in overdrive) and I will shortly be hitting the hills in north western Arkansas which should give me a much better feeling for that 5.4 L V8 at that weight, as far as hitch weight the spec of 1200 was with water, pots, pans, food, all store almost directly above the axels of the 5ver, their is storage just in front of the axels of the 5ver so I would assume some of that will distribute to the hitch weight. ??? so if I load wrong and the tail end of the truck looks like it is sagging would a simple set of air shock level it or do I need something more ?? maybe I should ask that on the tow vehicle forum.

Don't forget that a gasser makes its highest h.p. at high RPM, so don't be afraid to rev it on the hills. It's actually =easier= on the engine if it's spinning more "freely" (within limits) =and= you'll actually get better mileage. Just let it find the speed it wants to run most easily on a hill and let it sit there. If that's 34 MPH, then that's what you run; if it's 52 MPH, then let it ride. My dad said 40 years ago, when cruise control started becoming common, that he'd love to see one that you could set for RPM and not speed.

Lyle

Guys, this is a HD F150... In 97-99 this was called a F250 light duty. If it's a GVWR 7700 lbs then it has 7 lug wheels... It's the Grandfather of today's Max Payload F150.

Thanks!

Jeremiah

I'd worry most about that PIN weight vs your available payload. Remember brochure numbers are meaningless for PIN weight because they are with a completely empty trailer and MOST of what you load in the trailer will increase PIN weight. Another less important issue is the power that 2 valve Triton will generate. Flat land towing will be just fine but mountains will not be your friend (but that's a personal issue depending on what your expectations are). PIN weight however is a safety issue so calculate ACTUAL PIN weight carefully.
Good luck / Skip

Get a truck. The biggest problem besides being overweight is listening to what the dealer said. Next time a dealer says something like that ask him to tell you what the towing specs are for the truck.

I would not invest in bags for this truck. It will get you by for the short term, but both you, and the truck, are going to give up this quest, before too long.

The old 2v 5.4 was a good engine, but you are asking a lot from it. When you start pulling up the hills, and in the wind, you will know.

Enjoy your new to you FW, but keep an eye out for a truck, that will handle the job, better, and more safely.

Jerry

well I down loaded the 2000 towing brochure from above and it seems I have every option available to tow. I agree I should and most likely will hit the scales, some towing info was confusing// // are trucks rated for more with a 5ver than a bumper hitch? // in either case it looks like the truck in theory can handle the pull weight "it is close", so far the short trip 50 miles up the road the truck handled well 2200 to 3000 rpm at 60 mph (not in overdrive) and I will shortly be hitting the hills in north western Arkansas which should give me a much better feeling for that 5.4 L V8 at that weight, as far as hitch weight the spec of 1200 was with water, pots, pans, food, all store almost directly above the axels of the 5ver, their is storage just in front of the axels of the 5ver so I would assume some of that will distribute to the hitch weight. ??? so if I load wrong and the tail end of the truck looks like it is sagging would a simple set of air shock level it or do I need something more ?? maybe I should ask that on the tow vehicle forum.

laknox wrote:

g4sbrg wrote:
OK so in a few other threads their was some surprise or questions about an f150 pulling a 5ver, so please comment on my first Rv. the truck was practically given to me and had options added for towing.
2000 F150, 5.4 L gas, class 3 towing package (includes cooler) expanded payload capabilities, 3.73 rear end. rated for 8800 towing. the used 5ver I purchased has a dry weight of 7000, and a fully loaded weight of 8200 (including water) the hitch weight is 1200 and the truck is basically level when hooked up, other than maybe a little slow on uphill grades I would think these numbers look ok?? and not too much. the increased payload took the truck to 7700 - the actual weight of less than 4500? (a spec sheet showed it at 4250 or so) I was just curious, the little local dealer stated that the 5ver was about perfect for that truck when he checked it out the day I picked up my RV.

I suspect you'll be over the payload capacity for the truck. At minimum, make sure the truck tires will carry the load; if not, upgrade them. If you're a weekend warrior, and not going long distances, it will probably work for you, but you likely won't be happy with it in the long run.

Lyle

X2, will likely work OK, and will tow OK, it would be a good idea to hit the scales, and make sure that you are within the tire capacity. 7,700# GVWR you should have 6 lug axles.

g4sbrg wrote:
OK so in a few other threads their was some surprise or questions about an f150 pulling a 5ver, so please comment on my first Rv. the truck was practically given to me and had options added for towing.
2000 F150, 5.4 L gas, class 3 towing package (includes cooler) expanded payload capabilities, 3.73 rear end. rated for 8800 towing. the used 5ver I purchased has a dry weight of 7000, and a fully loaded weight of 8200 (including water) the hitch weight is 1200 and the truck is basically level when hooked up, other than maybe a little slow on uphill grades I would think these numbers look ok?? and not too much. the increased payload took the truck to 7700 - the actual weight of less than 4500? (a spec sheet showed it at 4250 or so) I was just curious, the little local dealer stated that the 5ver was about perfect for that truck when he checked it out the day I picked up my RV.

I suspect you'll be over the payload capacity for the truck. At minimum, make sure the truck tires will carry the load; if not, upgrade them. If you're a weekend warrior, and not going long distances, it will probably work for you, but you likely won't be happy with it in the long run.

Lyle