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.

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.

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 printhp loss formulaelevation x 0.03 x hp @ sea level---------------------------------1000EX. 6000' X 0.03 X 300 divided by 1000 equals loss of 54 HPDoes not apply to turbo/supercharged enginesJust one of the reasons DIESEL is King when it comes to towing :B

Have a read...http://news.pickuptrucks.com/2015/09/should-your-pickup-tow-less-at-altitude.html

Yes you will get better TV reception if you park atop a hill.Oh, wait.......

drittal wrote:Have a read...http://news.pickuptrucks.com/2015/09/should-your-pickup-tow-less-at-altitude.htmlInteresting read ! I couldn't find anything in my 2011 Owners Manual. Must be a recent addition.

TV performance and elevation | Good Sam Community

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.
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
drittal
Explorer
Jan 31, 2016
Have a read...

http://news.pickuptrucks.com/2015/09/should-your-pickup-tow-less-at-altitude.html
Sam_Spade
Explorer
Jan 31, 2016
Yes you will get better TV reception if you park atop a hill.
Oh, wait.......
Mr_Biggles
Explorer
Jan 31, 2016
drittal wrote:
Have a read...

http://news.pickuptrucks.com/2015/09/should-your-pickup-tow-less-at-altitude.html

Interesting read ! I couldn't find anything in my 2011 Owners Manual. Must be a recent addition.
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.
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.
time2roll
Nomad
Feb 01, 2016
I am not bothered slowing down climbing hills at altitude.
Never been the slowest either.
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.
N-Trouble
Explorer
Feb 01, 2016
lbrjet wrote:
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.

So what planet is this you tow on where air density gas laws don't apply?? Lol...