Teamfour wrote:
TV: 2010 F150 Screw, 145" bed, 4.6 3v, 3.73, tow pkg, curb 5167, GVWR 6900, payload 1680, GCWR 14,900, max trailer wt 9400.
Proposed TT: Salem Hemisphere 282RK, dry wt 6740, hitch 700.
My calculations: TV curb 5800 w/WD hitch, TT loaded 7700, hitch wt 924 (12%).
This leaves 176 under my GVWR. The TT would be 180 over the 80% rule.
What do y'all think? TIA
My Dad tows a 6000# TT with a 4.6 3v and 3.55 rear gears, no tow package, but has added the OEM trans cooler. It pulls it no problem. He has towed across the Rockies twice, and part way across another 2 times.
Realistically, on relatively flat ground, towing 6K or 8K really isn't a whole lot different. It will take a little longer to get going, but otherwise, no biggie. Frontal area is a greater factor at speed anyhow. You have the 3.73 gears, which, along with the 6 speed is equivalent to 4.30's and a 4 speed. Also, you have 292hp, with plenty of torque. I have had numerous 5.4 4 speed F150 crews for my own use, and the 4.6 6 speed, especially with the 3.73's is a quicker accelerating, smoother and more efficient runner. I would even go so far as to say, it would be a better TV that the 5.4 4 spd. In the mountains, you will be working the truck, but again, I don't see an issue.
It seems many have forgotten what we all did and towed with 10 years ago, (except a few astute posters on this page) when the "bigger" more common V8 powertrains had 250ish horsepower, and 4 speeds. The 4.6 3v is one of the most durable longest lasting engines ever made. It has numerous accolades, and was on the Wards 10 best engines for 4 years. There are millions of 4.6's in use as police cars and taxis, (although those are mostly the 2v variety). They are an extremely durable engine, there should be no concerns running it as hard as necessary. It also incorporates an oil to water (coolant), engine oil cooler, the towing package includes a thicker radiator, with more cooling capacity. Note that you have 2000lbs of excess towing capacity.
One note on GVWR. With the WDH properly adjusted, you will likely find that only about 750lbs of the tongue weight will be borne by the truck, so you should have no issue there. I just towed back and forth accross the rockies with my 3.7, with the truck at or slightly over GVWR, for the second time in 2 years.
The truck will do it, I can guarantee you that, but it will need to rev, like any modern non-turbo engine, if that is outside your comfort zone, then perhaps a more powerful truck would suit you best. Good luck.
