Hello all,
I do NOT know anything about the mechanics of trucks. I have a F150 5.4L gas 4x4 3.55 rear truck that I use to haul my horse trailer. I have had great success hauling with this truck. I would like to get a slightly heavier trailer. The manual for this truck state that the max trailer load is 7700lbs. I would like to be able to haul approximately 9000lbs. Is there any way possible to upgrade my truck to haul more weight. Any comments/suggestions will be appreciated.
Leslie

Hello Leslie .. Welcome to the forum.

Ford has established a max tow rating based on lots of varible conditions. I wouldn't recommend anything against their rating but your use might be okay IF you understand your truck's limits.

Tell us about the trailer you're using now. You seem to be happy with it. Moving up to a larger trailer sounds like more than "slightly heavier"
How heavy is your present trailer ?
Do you use a WD hitch?
How many horses do you haul? Drafts or ponies?
Do you travel to the mountains of GA or stay on the flats?

Thanks for your reply and interest. I haul a steel 16ft gooseneck. It weighs 4880 and I usually only haul 1 horse but on occasion I have hauled 3. (I have a 1030 lb and a 1280lb horse.) I do not haul 3 very often...I think only 3 times in last 4 years and not for any great distance. I want to get an all aluminum with a weekender package. The few I have checked out weight anywhere from 1000 to 2000 more than what I am hauling now. I have traveled up into the mountians of both GA and TN with no problems. Took 2 horses to TN. The point of getting the weekender trailer is to travel more. I know a bigger truck would be better, but I did not know if my truck could be upgraded. I am right at the max load for my truck with my two horses, trailer, and tack. I am pretty sure I do not have a WD hitch. I have the standard towing package that came from the Ford factory. The gooseneck hitch was installed by the trailer dealer from whom I purchased my trailer. I have read some other posts here and I get the feeling that there is not a way to "upgrade" for a heavier load. Sounds like it is based on the truck axel?
Thanks for your help.

Oh lord now I am confused. hehehe On the sticker on the trailer it states GAWP 4880lb but on the title to the trailer it says shipping weight 3500lb. I know special ordered upgraded torsion axels for the trailer but I can't find my orignal paperwork that indicates what size axels were put on the trailer.
Confused!
Leslie

Ok I know it does not matter what size axels are on the trailer related to the haul capacity of the truck. I did find out that I had 5200lb axels put on the trailer. I still do not understand how much my trailer actually weighs. Is it 4880 or 3500?
Thanks

quote:

Originally posted by horserider:
Thanks for your reply and interest. I haul a steel 16ft gooseneck. It weighs 4880 and I usually only haul 1 horse but on occasion I have hauled 3. (I have a 1030 lb and a 1280lb horse.) I do not haul 3 very often...I think only 3 times in last 4 years and not for any great distance. I want to get an all aluminum with a weekender package. The few I have checked out weight anywhere from 1000 to 2000 more than what I am hauling now. I have traveled up into the mountians of both GA and TN with no problems. Took 2 horses to TN. The point of getting the weekender trailer is to travel more. I know a bigger truck would be better, but I did not know if my truck could be upgraded. I am right at the max load for my truck with my two horses, trailer, and tack. I am pretty sure I do not have a WD hitch. I have the standard towing package that came from the Ford factory. The gooseneck hitch was installed by the trailer dealer from whom I purchased my trailer. I have read some other posts here and I get the feeling that there is not a way to "upgrade" for a heavier load. Sounds like it is based on the truck axel?

Hi again.. Leslie .. You're getting into the classic dilemma. More stuff (horses or camping equip) requires more trailer, that requires more, truck, that requires more fuel, that requires more money, and so on ... Hopefully, you're getting more fun in the whole process.

At this point, you have to make a serious decision. Let's agree, your trailer & load is the max your truck can handle in your typical use. Your truck's towing is limited by axles, tires, engine, transmission, frame, brakes, wheel rim, cooling system, etc. It is not only the axles. (You don't have or need a Weight Distributing hitch with a goose neck trailer)

If you were to upgrade the suspension because of the heavier trailer hitch weight, you'll still be in trouble because of the transmission isn't up to the strain of pulling the new trailer. Or it could be the two flat tires. or the seized wheel bearing. Broken down on the side of the road with horses is more trouble than anything I can think of. You can't just leave the horses in the trailer while your truck is repaired. Even getting them unloaded and transfered to another trailer is fraught with danger as cars roar by you.

Bottom line... You can get a heavier trailer but everything will be working against you. You truck will pull it. You can be extra careful while driving. But since you've got this plush camping rig, you're traveling more and further; You'll have more hay, more clothes, more "STUFF" ... the risk of breakdown is much higher.

Or you could get the new trailer but reduce the "stuff" Only one horse, strict choices to keep the weight down. No firewood, fill the water tanks when you get to camp, empty before going home, etc. Then, upgrade to a bigger truck later.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Hosspuller,

Hi,
I have a somewhat similar question/dilemna.
I have a 2000 Chevy Silverado 1500 4WD with the z71 and tow package options, with heavy duty spersprings in back. The engine is the 5.3l with a 3.73 gear ratio. I tow (BP) a 2-horse trailer (Thurobuilt w/2axles) empty W=2475lbs, my horse weighs 1100lbs (occasionally hauls a 2nd horse). The manual reads maximum towing capacity to be 7500lbs with current configuration and 8000lbs w/4.10 gear ratio. Is it worth up grading to 4.10 to get the extra 500lbs of towing capacity or does the current "tow/haul" switch pretty much takes care of that? Should I just leave it all alone?
Thanks for your time and answer.

quote:

Originally posted by Dooley11:
Hi,
I have a somewhat similar question/dilemna.
I have a 2000 Chevy Silverado 1500 4WD with the z71 and tow package options, with heavy duty spersprings in back. The engine is the 5.3l with a 3.73 gear ratio. I tow (BP) a 2-horse trailer (Thurobuilt w/2axles) empty W=2475lbs, my horse weighs 1100lbs (occasionally hauls a 2nd horse). The manual reads maximum towing capacity to be 7500lbs with current configuration and 8000lbs w/4.10 gear ratio. Is it worth up grading to 4.10 to get the extra 500lbs of towing capacity or does the current "tow/haul" switch pretty much takes care of that? Should I just leave it all alone?
Thanks for your time and answer.

Hi Dooley11...
In your place I wouldn't change the axle. Just leave it alone. Unless you just want punishment. Change the axle, and your speedometer is off, your gas mileage suffers, engine noise increases all for a measley 500 pounds of capacity. The truck will take-off from a stop faster. But you don't want to slam your horse to the butt bars anyway.

The Tow/Haul mode as I understand it in the trans other than the Allison is remaping the shift points and torque converter lock-up in top gear. It doesn't change your towing capacity.