2000 FORD F150 Owners Manual

Remember to figure in the tongue load of your loaded trailer when
figuring the total weight.
Do not exceed the GVWR or the GAWR specified on the
certification label.
Do not use replacement tires with lower load carrying capacities than the
originals because they may lower the vehicle's GVWR and GAWR
limitations. Replacement tires with a higher limit than the originals do
not increase the GVWR and GAWR limitations.
The Safety Certification Label, found on the driver's door pillar, lists
several important vehicle weight rating limitations. Before adding any
additional equipment, refer to these limitations. If you are adding weight
to the front of your vehicle, (potentially including weight added to the
cab), the weight added should not exceed the front axle reserve capacity
(FARC). Additional frontal weight may be added to the front axle reserve
capacity provided you limit your payload in other ways (i.e. restrict the
number of passengers or amount of cargo carried).
Always ensure that the weight of passengers, cargo and equipment being
carried is within the weight limitations that have been established for
your vehicle including both gross vehicle weight and Front and rear
gross axle weight rating limits. Under no circumstance should these
limitations be exceeded. Exceeding any vehicle weight rating limitation
could result in serious damage to the vehicle and/or personal injury.
Special loading instructions for owners of pickup trucks and
utility-type vehicles
For important information regarding safe operation of this type
of vehicle, see thePreparing to drive your vehiclesection in
theDrivingchapter of this owner guide.
Loaded vehicles, with a higher center of gravity, may handle
differently than unloaded vehicles. Extra precautions, such as
slower speeds and increased stopping distance, should be taken when
driving a heavily loaded vehicle.
Your vehicle has the capability to haul more cargo and people than most
passenger cars. Depending upon the type and placement of the load,
hauling cargo and people may raise the center of gravity of the vehicle.
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161

Calculating the load your vehicle can carry/tow
1. Use the appropriate maximum gross combined weight rating (GCWR)
chart to find the maximum GCWR for your type engine and rear axle
ratio.
2. Weigh your vehicle as you customarily operate the vehicle without
cargo. To obtain correct weights, try taking your vehicle to a shipping
company or an inspection station for trucks.
3. Subtract your loaded vehicle weight from the maximum GCWR on the
following charts. This is the maximum trailer weight your vehicle can tow
and must fall below the maximum shown under maximum trailer weight
on the chart.
DRIVING THROUGH WATER
Do not drive quickly through standing water, especially if the depth is
unknown. Traction or brake capability may be limited and if the ignition
system gets wet, your engine may stall. Water may also enter your
engine's air intake and severely damage your engine.
If driving through deep or standing water is unavoidable, proceed very
slowly. Never drive through water that is higher than the bottom of the
hubs (for trucks) or the bottom of the wheel rims (for cars).
Once through the water, always try the brakes. Wet brakes do not stop
the vehicle as effectively as dry brakes. Drying can be improved by
moving your vehicle slowly while applying light pressure on the brake
pedal.
Driving through deep water where the transmission vent tube is
submerged may allow water into the transmission and cause
internal transmission damage.
Your vehicle may tow a class I, II or III trailer provided the maximum
trailer weight is less than or equal to the maximum trailer weight listed
for your engine and rear axle ratio on the following charts.
Your vehicle's load capacity is designated by weight, not by volume, so
you cannot necessarily use all available space when loading a vehicle.
Towing a trailer places an additional load on your vehicle's engine,
transmission, axle, brakes, tires and suspension. Inspect these
components carefully after any towing operation.
Exceeding the maximum GCWR could result in extensive damage
to your vehicle and personal injury.
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162

Do not exceed the GVWR or the GAWR specified on the
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.
Engine Rear axle ratio Maximum
GCWR-kg (lbs.)Maximum trailer
weight-kg (lbs.)
Regular Cab 4x2 w/automatic transmission
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) 907 (2 000)
4.6L 3.31 4 763 (10 500) 2 812 (6 200)
4.6L 3.55 5 209 (11 500) 3 261 (7 200)
5.4L 3.31 5 443 (12 000) 3 402 (7 500)
5.4L 3.55 5 897 (13 000) 3 856 (8 500)
5.4L 3.73 6 124 (13 500) 3 992 (8 800)
SuperCab 4x2 w/automatic transmission
4.2L 3.55 4 530 (10 000) 2 495 (5 500)
4.6L 3.08 4 530 (10 000) 907 (2 000)
4.6L 3.31 4 763 (10 500) 2 676 (5 900)
4.6L 3.55 5 216 (11 500) 3 130 (6 900)
5.4L 3.31 5 443 (12 000) 3 311 (7 300)
5.4L 3.55 5 897 (13 000) 3 765 (8 300)
5.4L 3.73 6 124 (13 500) 3 946 (8 700)
Harley-Davidson F-150 4x2 w/automatic transmission
Engine Rear axle ratio Maximum
GCWR-kg (lbs.)Maximum trailer
weight-kg (lbs.)
5.4L 3.73 4 500 (10 000) 1 825 (4 000)
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163

Engine Rear axle ratio Maximum
GCWR-kg (lbs.)Maximum trailer
weight-kg (lbs.)
Regular Cab 4x2 w/manual transmission
4.2L 3.08 2 944 (6 500) 907 (2 000)
4.2L 3.55 3 538 (7 800) 1 633 (3 600)
4.6L 3.08 2 944 (6 500) 907 (2 000)
4.6L 3.31 2 944 (6 500) 998 (2 200)
4.6L 3.55 3 538 (7 800) 1 588 (3 500)
SuperCab 4x2 w/manual transmission
4.2L 3.08 2 944 (6 500) 907 (2 000)
4.2L 3.55 3 538 (7 800) 1 497 (3 300)
4.6L 3.08 2 944 (6 500) 907 (2 000)
4.6L 3.31 2 948 (6 500) 862 (1 900)
4.6L 3.55 3 538 (7 800) 1452 (3 200)
4X4 AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
Engine Rear axle ratio -
cm (inches)Maximum
GCWR-kg (lbs.)Maximum trailer
weight-kg (lbs.)
Regular Cab
4.2L 3.55/40.6 cm (16) 4 536 (10 000) 2 449 (5 400)
4.6L 3.31/40.6 (40.6) 4 763 (10 500) 2 630 (5 800)
4.6L 3.55/40.6 (16) 5 216 (11 500) 3 084 (6 800)
4.6L 3.55/43.2 (17) 4 990 (11 000) 2 858 (6 300)
5.4L 3.31/40.6 (16) 5 443 (12 000) 3 266 (7 200)
5.4L 3.55/40.6 (16) 5 897 (13 000) 3 720 (8 200)
5.4L 3.55/43.2 (17) 5 670 (12 500) 3 493 (7 700)
5.4L 3.73/40.6 (16) 6 124 (13 500) 3 810 (8 400)
SuperCab
4.6L 3.31/40.6 (16) 4 763 (10 500) 2 540 (5 600)
4.6L 3.55/40.6 (16) 5 216 (11 500) 2 994 (6 600)
4.6L 3.55/43.2 (17) 4 990 (11 000) 2 767 (6 100)
5.4L 3.31/40.6 (16) 5 443 (12 000) 3 130 (6 900)
5.4L 3.55/40.6 (16) 5 897 (13 000) 3 583 (7 900)
5.4L 3.55/43.2 (17) 5 670 (12 500) 3 357 (7 400)
5.4L 3.73/40.6 (16) 6 124 (13 500) 3 765 (8 300)
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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
Trailer towing tables
4x2 with automatic transmission
Engine Rear axle
ratio/Tire sizeMaximum
GCWR-kg (lbs.)Maximum trailer
weight-kg (lbs.)
Regular Cab
4.2L 3.31/16 in 4 077 (9 000) 2 177 (4 800)
4.2L 3.55/16 in 4 530 (10 000) 2 582 (5 800)
4.6L 3.08/16 in 4 530 (10 000) 907 (2 000)
4.6L 3.31/16 in 4 763 (10 500) 2 812 (6 200)
4.6L 3.55/16 in 5 209 (11 500) 3 261 (7 200)
5.4L 3.31/16 in 5 443 (12 000) 3 402 (7 500)
5.4L 3.55/16 in 5 897 (13 000) 3 856 (8 500)
5.4L 3.73/16 in 6 124 (13 500) 3 992 (8 800)
SuperCab
4.2L 3.55/16 in 4 530 (10 000) 2 495 (5 500)
4.6L 3.08/16 in 4 530 (10 000) 907 (2 000)
4.6L 3.31/16 in 4 763 (10 500) 2 676 (5 900)
4.6L 3.55/16 in 5 216 (11 500) 3 130 (6 900)
5.4L 3.31/16 in 5 443 (12 000) 3 311 (7 300)
5.4L 3.55/16 in 5 897 (13 000) 3 765 (8 300)
5.4L 3.73/16 in 6 124 (13 500) 3 946 (8 700)
Harley-Davidson F-150
4x2 with automatic transmission
Engine Rear axle ratio/
Tire size (wheel
diameter)Maximum
GCWR-kg (lbs.)Maximum trailer
weight-kg (lbs.)
5.4L 3.73/20 in 4 500 (10 000) 1 825 (4 000)
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4x2 manual transmission
Engine Rear axle
ratio/Tire sizeMaximum
GCWR-kg (lbs.)Maximum
trailer
weight-kg (lbs.)
Regular Cab
4.2L 3.08/16 in 2 944 (6 500) 907 (2 000)
4.2L 3.55/16 in 3 538 (7 800) 1 633 (3 600)
4.6L 3.08/16 in 2 944 (6 500) 907 (2 000)
4.6L 3.31/16 in 2 944 (6 500) 998 (2 200)
4.6L 3.55/16 in 3 538 (7 800) 1 588 (3 500)
SuperCab
4.2L 3.08/16 in 2 944 (6 500) 907 (2 000)
4.2L 3.55/16 in 3 538 (7 800) 1 497 (3 300)
4.6L 3.08/16 in 2 944 (6 500) 907 (2 000)
4.6L 3.31/16 in 2 948 (6 500) 862 (1 900)
4.6L 3.55/16 in 3 538 (7 800) 1452 (3 200)
4x4 automatic transmission
Engine Rear axle ratio Maximum
GCWR-kg (lbs.)Maximum
trailer
weight-kg (lbs.)
Regular Cab
4.2L 3.55/16 in 4 536 (10 000) 2 449 (5 400)
4.6L 3.31/16 in 4 763 (10 500) 2 630 (5 800)
4.6L 3.55/16 in 5 216 (11 500) 3 084 (6 800)
4.6L 3.55/17 in 4 990 (11 000) 2 858 (6 300)
5.4L 3.31/16 in 5 443 (12 000) 3 266 (7 200)
5.4L 3.55/16 in 5 897 (13 000) 3 720 (8 200)
5.4L 3.55/17 in 5 670 (12 500) 3 493 (7 700)
5.4L 3.73/16 in 6 124 (13 500) 3 810 (8 400)
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Engine Rear axle ratio Maximum
GCWR-kg (lbs.)Maximum
trailer
weight-kg (lbs.)
SuperCab
4.6L 3.31/16 in 4 763 (10 500) 2 540 (5 600)
4.6L 3.55/16 in 5 216 (11 500) 2 994 (6 600)
4.6L 3.55/17 in 4 990 (11 000) 2 767 (6 100)
5.4L 3.31/16 in 5 443 (12 000) 3 130 (6 900)
5.4L 3.55/16 in 5 897 (13 000) 3 583 (7 900)
5.4L 3.55/17 in 5 670 (12 500) 3 357 (7 400)
5.4L 3.73/16 in 6 124 (13 500) 3 765 (8 300)
4x4 manual transmission
Engine Rear axle ratio Maximum
GCWR-kg (lbs.)Maximum
trailer
weight-kg (lbs.)
Regular Cab
4.2L 3.31/16 in 2 948 (6 500) 862 (1 900)
4.2L 3.55/16 in 3 538 (7 800) 1 452 (3 200)
4.6L 3.31/16 in 2 944 (6 500) 816 (1 800)
4.6L 3.55/16 in 3 538 (7 800) 1 406 (3 100)
SuperCab
4.6L 3.31/16 in 2 948 (6 500) 726 (1 600)
4.6L 3.55/16 in 3 533 (7 800) 1 315 (2 900)
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.
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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%±15% 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. Measure the height of a reference point on the front and rear bumpers
at the center of the vehicle.
3. 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.
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.
Safety chains
Always connect the trailer's safety chains to the frame or hook retainers
of 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 trailer brakes are
safe if installed properly and adjusted to the manufacturer's
specifications. The trailer brakes must meet local and Federal
regulations.
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