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Mopar_man
Dodge Dakota
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3/10/2008
21:48:37
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 Subject: Towing with a 2003 Ford F-150
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I know this is a dakota board but I have a Ford guy that needs help.He recently sold his v-6 dakota and purchased a 2003 Ford F-150 for towing a 2 horse trailer.the 2001 dakota he sold was rated to tow 5000lbs.he purchased a 2003 F-150 with a 4.6 v-8 auto trans he assumed the F-150 should tow 6000-7000 lbs easily.After reading through the owners manual he discovered ford offered three different gear choices with that same engine &transmission.3.08 ,3.31, 3.55 the later two gears were rated to tow well over 6000lbs the 3.08 gear was rated to tow only 2000 lbs and guess what that is the gear he discovered his truck came equiped with.he had already used the truck for towing before he became aware of this.he had towed about 4000 lbs twice the recommended towing capacity.He said it pulled the load easier than the dakota he previously owned but after reading the mannual he is afraid to tow with it.anybody have any thoughts as to why Ford rated the towing with this gear so low?Also do you think he will damage the truck towing about 5000lbs which is what he normally tows? thanks for any help you can offer.
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shadetree
Dodge Dakota
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3/11/2008
06:54:16
| RE: Towing with a 2003 Ford F-150
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I would say they rated it low to keep the truck operating in parameters the engineers were happy with. With 3.08 gears towing 4000 probably builds alot more heat in the tranny as well as the engines as it is hard for the truck to move and maintain spead as compared to a 3.55 ratio. If its an automatic I would definitely recommend an addition trans cooler and regular fluid and filter changes to help prolng the life of the transmission.
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dakota49
Dodge Dakota
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3/12/2008
16:18:34
| RE: Towing with a 2003 Ford F-150
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I agree with shadetree, the 3:08 gears are for light loads and good, or better gas mileage than towing. A trans cooler would help, but if he put a lower gear in the rear, that would help even more. The tow packages usually also include better springs, and better brakes for handling the increased loads. I would think if he knows what he is doing, then he should be able to get away with towing, just be sure to give the trans a rest from time to time so it won't over heat, that's the worst thing for an auto trans.
Good Luck
Dakota49
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STS
Dodge Dakota
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3/12/2008
16:38:36
| RE: Towing with a 2003 Ford F-150
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You mean they still offer a 3:08? I thought that was long done away with.
3.55:1 or even 3:72.1 would be perfect for towing.
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mopar man
Dodge Dakota
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3/14/2008
05:30:10
| RE: Towing with a 2003 Ford F-150
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I don't think ford still offers the 3.08 gear.His truck is a 2003.He said he is getting 18 mpg so I guess that gear is good for gas mileage.He is having a transmission cooler installed I think that should really help with the towing.
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Joe.C
Dodge Dakota
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3/14/2008
16:49:17
| RE: Towing with a 2003 Ford F-150
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With 3.08 you should be getting well over 20MPG.
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Joe.c
Dodge Dakota
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3/24/2008
16:27:05
| RE: Towing with a 2003 Ford F-150
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My uncle had a Ford Thunder bird and he claimed that it could get over 30 too the gallon. So what would be the gear ratio there?
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Mark.S
Dodge Dakota
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3/25/2008
15:59:29
| RE: Towing with a 2003 Ford F-150
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I've herd of 20 miles per gallon the the Chrysler Newyorker. and that was the one with a 440 TNT engine.
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