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Mr_Biggles's avatar
Mr_Biggles
Explorer
Jan 31, 2016

TV performance and elevation

Do manufacturers take elevation into account when publishing towing performance numbers ? I live in Calgary, elevation 3600 ft. After towing our TT for the last 3 years , I would not want to tow much more than 6000lbs with our 5.0 F150 though the mountains. A forced induction engine might have been a better choice, but even then there's a power degradation. I realize that elevation does not affect frame strength or braking, but it definitely hurts power.
Tow Vehicles

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  • lbrjet's avatar
    lbrjet
    Explorer
    Feb 01, 2016
    I have traveled thousands of miles at 6-10K elevations and have never noticed a degradation. I think it is over hyped. I was really worried about it on my first trip across Colorado several years ago. Didn't notice a thing and haven't worried about it since.
  • time2roll's avatar
    time2roll
    Nomad
    Feb 01, 2016
    I am not bothered slowing down climbing hills at altitude.
    Never been the slowest either.
  • rhagfo's avatar
    rhagfo
    Explorer III
    Feb 01, 2016
    Mr Biggles wrote:
    Do manufacturers take elevation into account when publishing towing performance numbers ? I live in Calgary, elevation 3600 ft. After towing our TT for the last 3 years , I would not want to tow much more than 6000lbs with our 5.0 F150 though the mountains. A forced induction engine might have been a better choice, but even then there's a power degradation. I realize that elevation does not affect frame strength or braking, but it definitely hurts power.


    Well they might, but not very noticeable! I see you have two choices for preformace in the mountains, Diesel, or EcoBoost.
  • patriotgrunt's avatar
    patriotgrunt
    Explorer
    Feb 01, 2016
    TFLtruck.com will soon be testing a Ford F150 with the 5.0 towing a trailer up the Ike Gauntlet. They haven't announced the specs yet but I'm sure it'll give you a good idea what the truck performs like under a serious load at high elevation.
  • Sam_Spade's avatar
    Sam_Spade
    Explorer
    Jan 31, 2016
    Yes you will get better TV reception if you park atop a hill.
    Oh, wait.......
  • Old-Biscuit's avatar
    Old-Biscuit
    Explorer III
    Jan 31, 2016
    Mfg. published towing numbers are magical marketing numbers with very fine print caveats:

    150# driver, 20# cargo, base model etc.

    Same goes for HP/Torque numbers........fine print

    hp loss formula
    elevation x 0.03 x hp @ sea level
    ---------------------------------
    1000

    EX. 6000' X 0.03 X 300 divided by 1000 equals loss of 54 HP

    Does not apply to turbo/supercharged engines
    Just one of the reasons DIESEL is King when it comes to towing :B
  • carringb's avatar
    carringb
    Explorer
    Jan 31, 2016
    Power and towing capacity reductions for elevation are posted in the towing section of every Ford owner's manual (even for my Festa!). I assume other OEMs do the same.

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