Can I Please Get a Towing Reality Check?

I wrote:
For clarification, 5800 is my brochure weight. And I just re-checked my scale readings: my actual is 7300, not 7500 as I said above.

Terryallan wrote:

I'm pretty sure the yellow sticker was started in 2009. So your 2000?, and my 2004 didn't have one.

Mine's a 2004 as well. I stopped at the storage yard the other day to check it out. It doesn't have a yellow sticker, but there's a white one inside the cabinet door. It says the UVW from the factory is 6220#.

So the brochure says 5800#, the sticker says 6200#, and the scale says 7300#. Those differences are in line with the OP's estimates, so I'll recant my earlier statement about his estimates being way too low.

-- Rob

dodge guy wrote:

HA HA! LOL!!! I've driven a newer 4.6L in an F150. No way is it even close to the capability of a V-10. The 4.6 in an F150 is barely adequate to move the 150, let alone putting over 7k lbs behind it!

I have to agree with Hybrid here...my 4.6 3v has plenty of power to move my F150.

Well then you did not drive the 3 valve 4.6, or a 3v without the 6 speed. FWIW - It out accelerates EVERY F150 (except the lightening), prior to the introduction of the 6 speed. They accelerate 0 - 60 in approximately 8 seconds.

The numbers don't lie, the F150 is much quicker than the Excursion, making me wonder how you draw the conclusion that it is underpowered, with a susbstatially lighter trailer than you tow. I am not guessing here, I have looked at the numbers, and we have a 4.6 3v 6 speed in the family.

Not sure why all the guesses folks are making are to the negative side? Maybe because the pathetic 4.6 2v? or the 4 speed? Those both sucked, no doubt about that.

Hybridhunter wrote:

dodge guy wrote:
Not gonna like it. And VA. Is not flat like here in IL. That 6700lb TT will likely weigh around 8000lbs! Look for something lighter or a truck with a more capable motor.

Curious you would say that, I looked up some info going back to testing the Excursion vs the F150. I'd say that power wise, they are a wash. Edge going to the 6 speed that the OP has.

CR testing the F150 with a 4 speed and 300hp....

. We averaged 13 mpg overall. The four-speed automatic shifted smoothly. The F-150 pulled our 7,400-pound trailer to 60 mph in 24.1 seconds......0-60 8.8sec unloaded

Testing an Excursion V10....

The 6.8-liter, 310-hp V10 makes a lot of noise but accelerates adequately. Overall fuel economy averaged a mere 10 mpg on regular fuel. The Excursion did a good job of pulling a 7,200-pound trailer from 0 to 60 mph in 22 seconds. The four-speed automatic transmission shifts smoothly enough but doesn't downshift as well as some..... 0-60 10.1sec unloaded.

HA HA! LOL!!! I've driven a newer 4.6L in an F150. No way is it even close to the capability of a V-10. The 4.6 in an F150 is barely adequate to move the 150, let alone putting over 7k lbs behind it!

dodge guy wrote:
Not gonna like it. And VA. Is not flat like here in IL. That 6700lb TT will likely weigh around 8000lbs! Look for something lighter or a truck with a more capable motor.

Curious you would say that, I looked up some info going back to testing the Excursion vs the F150. I'd say that power wise, they are a wash. Edge going to the 6 speed that the OP has.

CR testing the F150 with a 4 speed and 300hp....

. We averaged 13 mpg overall. The four-speed automatic shifted smoothly. The F-150 pulled our 7,400-pound trailer to 60 mph in 24.1 seconds......0-60 8.8sec unloaded

Testing an Excursion V10....

The 6.8-liter, 310-hp V10 makes a lot of noise but accelerates adequately. Overall fuel economy averaged a mere 10 mpg on regular fuel. The Excursion did a good job of pulling a 7,200-pound trailer from 0 to 60 mph in 22 seconds. The four-speed automatic transmission shifts smoothly enough but doesn't downshift as well as some..... 0-60 10.1sec unloaded.

I was at that weight with my f150 echo boost. The chassis handled it great and the motor had wrought guts to tow it but I would not have wanted any less power in the hills. If you don't mind having to work it hard nd push it every hill or on ramp then enjoy, otherwise look for a smaller TT or an 150 with a 5.4/5.0 or ecoboost.

I forgot to mention, my dad's 4.6 runs 5th most of the time at 65mph, at about 2200rpm, into a wind 4th and 2700, with it and he runs 6th at 1800rpm. Climbing the Coquahalla, 2nd gear, 4500rpms at 55mph. He tells me that is not WOT.

I wonder how anyone ever towed back in early 2000's, when the Ram had 245hp, GM had 285hp (and 325 ft/lbs), and Ford had 260hp. And they all had questionable 4 speed auto's.

Arguably, the 4.6 / 6 speed with it's greater horsepower, similar torque, and abundance of gears should do quite well.

B.O. Plenty wrote:
I think the 80% is something somebody dreamed up to try and sound like they knew something. I've never seen it written in any owners manual. If the manufacturer says it's good to pull a given weight then pull that much. You may find the performance is lacking but it wouldn't be any better with 80% of the load either..

B.O.

Agree. It's a myth, and only used by those who either can't or won't do the math

I think the 80% is something somebody dreamed up to try and sound like they knew something. I've never seen it written in any owners manual. If the manufacturer says it's good to pull a given weight then pull that much. You may find the performance is lacking but it wouldn't be any better with 80% of the load either..

B.O.

Not gonna like it. And VA. Is not flat like here in IL. That 6700lb TT will likely weigh around 8000lbs! Look for something lighter or a truck with a more capable motor.