Can a 1997 Ford F-150 4x4 with 4.6 Liter Motor Tow a 5,000 Pound Trailer
Question:
i have a 1997 ford f-150 4x4 with a 4.6 engine in it will it pull a 23 ft camper 25ft counting the tongue that weighs 5,000 lbs thank you
asked by: Erik B
Helpful Expert Reply:
A 5,000 pound trailer should not be a problem for your 1997 Ford F-150 4x4 with the 4.6 liter motor. Based on some of the information I could find on the truck it does have more than enough capacity for this trailer. But to be sure you will need to consult the vehicle owners manual because there are several possible configurations of the truck and each has a different towing capacity.
Whether or not you need weight distribution will depend on a couple of things. First, if the gross trailer weight is at least 50 percent of the vehicle weight OR if the coupled trailer causes the rear of the vehicle to sag then weight distribution is a good idea.
To choose a weight distribution system you will need to go by the total tongue weight of the set up. This is calculated by taking the tongue weight of the trailer, when loaded and ready to tow, and adding to that the weight of anything loaded behind the rear axle of the tow vehicle.
Tongue weight is typically 10 to 15 percent of the gross trailer weight. So for a trailer weighing 5,000 pounds the tongue weight should be around 500 to 750 pounds. The Pro Series system # PS49582 maxes out at 750 pounds tongue weight. I have included a couple of helpful links to the right for you.
