1999 FORD F150 Owners Manual

Do not exceed the GVWR or the GAWR specified on the Safety
Compliance Certification Label.
Towing trailers beyond the maximum recommended gross trailer
weight could result in engine damage, transmission/axle damage,
structural damage, loss of control, and personal injury.
Trailer towing tables
F-150 4x2 with automatic transmission
Engine Rear axle
ratioMaximum GCWR-
kg (lbs.)Maximum trailer
weight-kg (lbs.)
Regular Cab
4.2L 3.31 4 077 (9 000) 2 177 (4 800)
4.2L 3.55 4 530 (10 000) 2 582 (5 800)
4.6L 3.08 4 530 (10 000) 2 535 (5 600)
4.6L 3.55 5 209 (11 500) 3 261 (7 200)
5.4L 3.08 4 983 (11 000) 2 988 (6 600)
5.4L 3.55 5 753 (12 700) 3 757 (8 300)
SuperCab
4.2L 3.31 4 077 (9 000) 2 086 (4 600)
4.2L 3.55 4 530 (10 000) 2 540 (5 600)
4.6L 3.08 4 530 (10 000) 2 491 (5 500)
4.6L 3.55 5 209 (11 500) 3 171 (7 000)
5.4L 3.08 4 983 (11 000) 2 857 (6 300)
5.4L 3.55 4 983 (12 700) 3 628 (8 000)
Driving
137

F-150 4x2 manual transmission
Engine Rear axle
ratioMaximum GCWR-
kg (lbs.)Maximum trailer
weight-kg (lbs.)
Regular Cab F-150
4.2L 3.08 2 944 (6 500) 1 132 (2 500)
4.2L 3.55 3 533 (7 800) 1 630 (3 600)
4.6L 3.08 2 944 (6 500) 1 041 (2 300)
4.6L 3.55 3 533 (7 800) 1 587 (3 500)
SuperCab F-150
4.2L 3.08 2 944 (6 500) 951 (2 100)
4.2L 3.55 3 533 (7 800) 1 540 (3 400)
4.6L 3.08 2 944 (6 500) 907 (2 000)
4.6L 3.55 3 533 (7 800) 1496 (3 300)
F-150 4x4 automatic transmission
Engine Rear axle
ratioMaximum GCWR-
kg (lbs.)Maximum trailer
weight-kg (lbs.)
Regular Cab F-150
4.2L 3.55 4 530 (10 000) 2 449 (5 400)
4.6L 3.55/16 in 5 209 (11 500) 3 084 (6 800)
4.6L 3.55/17 in 4 983 (11 000) 2 852 (6 300)
5.4L 3.55/16 in 5 753 (12 700) 3 576 (7 900)
5.4L 3.55/17 in 5 753 (12 700) 3 531 (7 800)
SuperCab F-150
4.6L 3.55/16 in 5 209 (11 500) 2 993 (6 600)
4.6L 3.55/17 in 4 983 (11 000) 2 761 (6 100)
5.4L 3.55/16 in 5 753 (12 700) 3 492 (7 700)
5.4L 3.73/17 in 5 753 (12 700) 3 492 (7 700)
Driving
138

F-150 4x4 manual transmission
Trailer towing table (F-150 4x4 manual transmission)
Engine Rear axle
ratioMaximum GCWR-
kg (lbs.)Maximum trailer
weight-kg (lbs.)
Regular Cab F-150
4.2L 3.31 2 944 (6 500) 861 (1 900)
4.2L 3.55 3 533 (7 800) 1 451 (3 200)
4.6L 3.08 2 944 (6 500) 816 (1 800)
4.6L 3.55 3 533 (7 800) 1 406 (3 100)
SuperCab F-150
4.6L 3.08 2 944 (6 500) 771 (1 700)
4.6L 3.55 3 533 (7 800) 1 360 (3 000)
F-250 4x2 automatic transmission
Engine Rear axle
ratioMaximum GCWR-
kg (lbs.)Maximum trailer
weight-kg (lbs.)
Regular Cab F-250
4.6L 3.31 4 756 (10 500) 2 671 (5 900)
4.6L 3.73 5 436 (12 000) 3 350 (7 400)
5.4L 3.31 5 436 (12 000) 3 305 (7 300)
5.4L 3.73 6 115 (13 500) 3 938 (8 700)
SuperCab F-250
4.6L 3.31 4 756 (10 500) 2 625 (5 800)
4.6L 3.73 5 436 (12 000) 3 305 (7 300)
5.4L 3.31 5 436 (12 000) 3 259 (7 200)
5.4L 3.73 6 115 (13 500) 3 938 (8 700)
Driving
139

F-250 4x2 manual transmission
Engine Rear axle
ratioMaximum GCWR-
kg (lbs.)Maximum trailer
weight-kg (lbs.)
Regular Cab F-250
4.6L 3.31 3 261 (7 200) 1 179 (2 600)
4.6L 3.73 3 533 (7 800) 1 451 (3 200)
SuperCab F-250
4.6L 3.31 3 261 (7 200) 1 133 (2 500)
4.6L 3.73 3 533 (7 800) 1 406 (3 100)
F-250 4x4 automatic transmission
Engine Rear axle
ratioMaximum GCWR-
kg (lbs.)Maximum trailer
weight-kg (lbs.)
Regular Cab F-250
4.6L 3.31 4 756 (10 500) 2 490 (5 500)
4.6L 3.73 5 436 (12 000) 3 169 (7 000)
5.4L 3.31 5 436 (12 000) 3 124 (6 900)
5.4L 3.73 6 115 (13 500) 3 803 (8 400)
SuperCab F-250
4.6L 3.31 4 756 (10 500) 2 449 (5 400)
4.6L 3.73 5 436 (12 000) 3 129 (6 900)
5.4L 3.31 5 436 (12 000) 3 084 (6 800)
5.4L 3.73 6 115 (13 500) 3 764 (8 300)
F-250 4x4 manual transmission
Engine Rear axle
ratioMaximum GCWR-
kg (lbs.)Maximum trailer
weight-kg (lbs.)
Regular Cab F-250
4.6L 3.31 3 261 (7 200) 996 (2 200)
4.6L 3.73 3 533 (7 800) 1 224 (2 700)
SuperCab F-250
4.6L 3.31 3 261 (7 200) 952 (2 100)
4.6L 3.73 3 533 (7 800) 1 224 (2 700)
Driving
140

Trailer frontal area considerations:
²Not to exceed towing vehicle front area without Class III trailer towing
package
²Not to exceed 5.52 square meters (60 square feet) with Class III
trailer towing package
Preparing to tow
Use the proper equipment for towing a trailer, and make sure it is
properly attached to your vehicle. See your dealer or a reliable trailer
dealer if you require assistance.
Hitches
Do not use hitches that clamp onto the vehicle's bumper or attach to the
axle. You must distribute the load in your trailer so that 10% of the total
weight of the trailer is on the tongue.
Load equalizing hitch
When hooking up a trailer using a load equalizing hitch, always use the
following procedure:
1. Park the unloaded vehicle on a level surface. With the ignition on and
all doors closed, allow the vehicle to stand for several minutes so that it
can level.
2. Turn the air suspension (if equipped) control to OFF.
3. Measure the height of a reference point on the front and rear bumpers
at the center of the vehicle.
4. Attach the trailer to the vehicle and adjust the hitch equalizers so that
the front bumper height is within 0±13 mm (0.5 in) of the reference
point. After proper adjustment, the rear bumper should be no higher
than in Step 3.
5. Turn the air suspension (if equipped) control to ON.
Adjusting an equalizing hitch so the rear bumper of the vehicle
is lower or higher than it was unloaded will defeat the function
of the load equalizing hitch and may cause unpredictable handling.
Driving
141

Safety chains
Always connect the trailer's safety chains to the vehicle. To connect the
trailer's safety chains, cross the chains under the trailer tongue and allow
slack for turning corners.
If you use a rental trailer, follow the instructions that the rental agency
gives to you.
Do not attach safety chains to the bumper.
Trailer brakes
Electric brakes and manual, automatic or surge-type brakes are safe if
installed properly and adjusted to the manufacturer's specifications. The
trailer brakes must meet local and Federal regulations.
Do not connect a trailer's hydraulic brake system directly to your
vehicle's brake system. Your vehicle may not have enough
braking power and your chances of having a collision greatly increase.
The braking system of the tow vehicle is rated for operation at the
GVWR not GCWR.
Trailer lamps
Trailer lamps are required on most towed vehicles. Make sure your
trailer lamps conform to local and Federal regulations. See your dealer or
trailer rental agency for proper instructions and equipment for hooking
up trailer lamps.
Using a step bumper
The rear bumper is equipped with an integral hitch and requires only a
ball with a 25.4 mm (one inch) shank diameter. The bumper hasa2270
kg (5 000 lb.) trailer weight and 227 kg (500 lb.) tongue weight
capability.
If it is necessary to relocate the trailer hitch ball position, a
frame-mounted trailer hitch must be installed.
Driving while you tow
Do not drive faster than 88 km/h (55 mph) when towing a trailer.
Speed control may shut off if you are towing on long, steep grades.
Driving
142

When towing a trailer:
²Use a lower gear when towing up or down steep hills. This will
eliminate excessive downshifting and upshifting for optimum fuel
economy and transmission cooling.
²Anticipate stops and brake gradually.
Exceeding the GCWR rating may cause internal transmission
damage and void your warranty coverage.
Servicing after towing
If you tow a trailer for long distances, your vehicle will require more
frequent service intervals. Refer to your Scheduled Maintenance guide
for more information.
Trailer towing tips
²Practice turning, stopping and backing up in an area before starting on
a trip to get the feel of the vehicle trailer combination. When turning,
make wider turns so the trailer wheels will clear curbs and other
obstacles.
²Allow more distance for stopping with a trailer attached.
²The trailer tongue weight should be 10±15% of the loaded trailer
weight.
²After you have traveled 80 km (50 miles), thoroughly check your
hitch, electrical connections and trailer wheel lug nuts.
²When stopped in traffic for long periods of time in hot weather, place
the gearshift in P (Park) (automatic transmissions) or N (Neutral)
(manual transmissions). This aids engine cooling and air conditioner
efficiency.
²Vehicles with trailers should not be parked on a grade. If you must
park on a grade, place wheel chocks under the trailer's wheels.
Launching or retrieving a boat
When backing down a ramp during boat launching or retrieval,
²Do not allow the static water level to rise above the bottom edge of
the rear bumper and
²Do not allow waves to break higher than 15 cm (six inches) above the
bottom edge of the rear bumper.
Driving
143

Exceeding these limits may allow water to enter critical vehicle
components, adversely affecting driveability, emissions, reliability and
causing internal transmission damage.
Replace the rear axle lubricant anytime the axle has been submerged in
water. Rear axle lubricant quantities are not to be checked or changed
unless a leak is suspected or repair required.
Disconnect the wiring to the trailer before backing the trailer into the
water. Reconnect the wiring to the trailer after the trailer is removed
from the water.
Recreational towing (all wheels on the ground)
Follow these guidelines for your specific powertrain combination to tow
your vehicle with all four wheels on the ground (such as behind a
recreational vehicle).
These guidelines are designed to ensure that your transmission is not
damaged due to insufficient lubrication.
2WD (manual and automatic transmissions)
1. Place transmission in N (Neutral).
2. Maximum speed is 56 km/h (35 mph).
3. Maximum distance is 80 km (50 miles).
If a distance of 80 km (50 miles) or a speed of 56 km/h (35 mph) must
be exceeded, you must disconnect the rear driveshaft. With the rear
driveshaft disconnected, the maximum speed is 88 km/h (55 mph) and
there are no mileage restrictions.
See your dealer for help with disconnecting the driveshaft.
4WD ± Lever operated transfer case
(manual and automatic transmissions)
1. Place transmission in P (Park) (automatic transmission), or R
(Reverse) (manual transmission). Engage the parking brake.
2. Shift the transfer case to N (Neutral).
3. Lockout the center disconnect by capping off one of the front axle
vacuum motor lines. See your Ford dealer for assistance.
4. Vehicle speed should not exceed 88 km/h (55 mph) and there are no
mileage restrictions.
Driving
144