2004 FORD F150 tow

Regular Cab 4x2 (126º wheelbase)
Engine Rear axle ratio Maximum
GCWR-kg
(lbs.)Maximum
trailer
weight-kg
(lbs.)
4.6L 3.55 5216 (11500) 2948 (6500)
4.6L 3.73 5443 (12000) 3175 (7000)
5.4L 3.31 5443 (12000) 3084 (6800)
5.4L (w/17º
tires)3.55 5897 (13000) 3538 (7800)
5.4L (w/17º
tires)3.73 6123 (13500) 3765 (8300)
Regular Cab 4x2 (145º wheelbase)
Engine Rear axle ratio Maximum
GCWR-kg
(lbs.)Maximum
trailer
weight-kg
(lbs.)
4.6L 3.55 5307 (11700) 2948 (6500)
4.6L 3.73 5534 (12200) 3175 (7000)
5.4L 3.31 5670 (12500) 3266 (7200)
5.4L (w/17º
tires)3.55 6350 (14000) 3946 (8700)
5.4L (w/17º
tires)3.73 6804 (15000) 4309 (9500)*
5.4L Heavy Duty 4.10 6940 (15300) 4309 (9500)*
* Trailer tow capability is limited to 4309 kg (9500 lbs.)
Regular Cab 4x4 (126º wheelbase)
Engine Rear axle ratio Maximum
GCWR-kg
(lbs.)Maximum
trailer
weight-kg
(lbs.)
4.6L 3.55 5216 (11500) 2812 (6200)
4.6L 3.73 5443 (12000) 3039 (6700)
Driving
174

Regular Cab 4x4 (126º wheelbase)
Engine Rear axle ratio Maximum
GCWR-kg
(lbs.)Maximum
trailer
weight-kg
(lbs.)
5.4L (w/17º
tires)3.55 5897 (13000) 3447 (7600)
5.4L (w/18º
tires)3.55 5670 (12500) 3220 (7100)
5.4L (w/17º
tires)3.73 6123 (13500) 3674 (8100)
5.4L (w/18º
tires)3.73 5897 (13000) 3447 (7600)
Regular Cab 4x4 (145º wheelbase)
Engine Rear axle ratio Maximum
GCWR-kg
(lbs.)Maximum
trailer
weight-kg
(lbs.)
4.6L 3.55 5307 (11700) 2812 (6200)
4.6L 3.73 5534 (12200) 3039 (6700)
5.4L (w/17º
tires)3.55 6350 (14000) 3856 (8500)
5.4L (w/18º
tires)3.55 6123 (13500) 3629 (8000)
5.4L (w/17º
tires)3.73 6804 (15000) 4309 (9500)*
5.4L (w/18º
tires)3.73 6577 (14500) 4082 (9000)
5.4L Heavy Duty 4.10 6940 (15300) 4309 (9500)*
* Trailer tow capability is limited to 4309 kg (9500 lbs.)
Driving
175

SuperCab 4x2 (133º wheelbase)
Engine Rear axle ratio Maximum
GCWR-kg
(lbs.)Maximum
trailer
weight-kg
(lbs.)
4.6L 3.55 5216 (11500) 2858 (6300)
4.6L 3.73 5443 (12000) 3084 (6800)
5.4L (w/17º
tires)3.55 5897 (13000) 3447 (7600)
5.4L (w/18º
tires)3.55 5670 (12500) 3220 (7100)
5.4L (w/17º
tires)3.73 6123 (13500) 3674 (8100)
5.4L (w/18º
tires)3.73 5897 (13000) 3447 (7600)
SuperCab 4x2 (145º wheelbase)
Engine Rear axle ratio Maximum
GCWR-kg
(lbs.)Maximum
trailer
weight-kg
(lbs.)
4.6L 3.55 5307 (11700) 2858 (6300)
4.6L 3.73 5534 (12200) 3084 (6800)
5.4L (w/17º
tires)3.55 6350 (14000) 3856 (8500)
5.4L (w/18º
tires)3.55 6123 (13500) 3629 (8000)
5.4L (w/17º
tires)3.73 6804 (15000) 4309 (9500)*
5.4L (w/18º
tires)3.73 6577 (14500) 4082 (9000)
* Trailer tow capability is limited to 4309 kg (9500 lbs.)
Driving
176

SuperCab 4x2 (163º wheelbase)
Engine Rear axle ratio Maximum
GCWR-kg
(lbs.)Maximum
trailer
weight-kg
(lbs.)
5.4L Heavy Duty 4.10 6940 (15300) 4309 (9500)*
* Trailer tow capability is limited to 4309 kg (9500 lbs.)
SuperCab 4x4 (133º wheelbase)
Engine Rear axle ratio Maximum
GCWR-kg
(lbs.)Maximum
trailer
weight-kg
(lbs.)
4.6L 3.55 5216 (11500) 2676 (5900)
4.6L 3.73 5443 (12000) 2903 (6400)
5.4L (w/17º
tires)3.55 5897 (13000) 3311 (7300)
5.4L (w/18º
tires)3.55 5670 (12500) 3084 (6800)
5.4L (w/17º
tires)3.73 6123 (13500) 3538 (7800)
5.4L (w/18º
tires)3.73 5897 (13000) 3311 (7300)
SuperCab 4x4 (145º wheelbase)
Engine Rear axle ratio Maximum
GCWR-kg
(lbs.)Maximum
trailer
weight-kg
(lbs.)
4.6L 3.55 5307 (11700) 2721 (6000)
4.6L 3.73 5534 (12200) 2948 (6500)
5.4L (w/17º
tires)3.55 6350 (14000) 3765 (8300)
5.4L (w/18º
tires)3.55 6123 (13500) 3538 (7800)
Driving
177

SuperCab 4x4 (145º wheelbase)
Engine Rear axle ratio Maximum
GCWR-kg
(lbs.)Maximum
trailer
weight-kg
(lbs.)
5.4L (w/17º
tires)3.73 6804 (15000) 4218 (9300)
5.4L (w/18º
tires)3.73 6577 (14500) 3992 (8800)
SuperCab 4x4 (163º wheelbase)
Engine Rear axle ratio Maximum
GCWR-kg
(lbs.)Maximum
trailer
weight-kg
(lbs.)
5.4L Heavy Duty 4.10 6940 (15300) 4173 (9200)
Crew Cab 4x2 (139º wheelbase)
Engine Rear axle ratio Maximum
GCWR-kg
(lbs.)Maximum
trailer
weight-kg
(lbs.)
4.6L 3.55 5307 (11700) 2812 (6200)
4.6L 3.73 5534 (12200) 3039 (6700)
5.4L (w/17º
tires)3.55 6350 (14000) 3856 (8500)
5.4L (w/18º
tires)3.55 6123 (13500) 3629 (8000)
5.4L (w/17º
tires)3.73 6804 (15000) 4309 (9500)*
5.4L (w/18º
tires)3.73 6577 (14500) 4082 (9000)
* Trailer tow capability is limited to 4309 kg (9500 lbs.)
Driving
178

Crew Cab 4x4 (139º wheelbase)
Engine Rear axle ratio Maximum
GCWR-kg
(lbs.)Maximum
trailer
weight-kg
(lbs.)
4.6L 3.55 5307 (11700) 2721 (6000)
4.6L 3.73 5534 (12200) 2948 (6500)
5.4L (w/17º
tires)3.55 6350 (14000) 3719 (8200)
5.4L (w/18º
tires)3.55 6123 (13500) 3493 (7700)
5.4L (w/17º
tires)3.73 6804 (15000) 4173 (9200)
5.4L (w/18º
tires)3.73 6577 (14500) 3946 (8700)
Trailer frontal area considerations:
²Not to exceed towing vehicle frontal area without Class IV trailer
towing package
²Not to exceed 5.52 square meters (60 square feet) with Class IV
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%±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.
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179

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 2.
Note:Adjusting an equalizing hitch so the rear bumper of the vehicle is
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 hitch. 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.
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 all running
lights, brake lights, turn signals and hazard lights are working. See your
dealer or trailer rental agency for proper instructions and equipment for
hooking up trailer lamps.
Using a step bumper (if equipped)
The rear bumper is equipped with an integral hitch and only requires a
ball with a 25.4 mm (one inch) shank diameter. The bumper has a 2,270
kg (5,000 lb.) trailer weight and 227 kg (500 lb.) tongue weight capacity.
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180

If it is necessary to relocate the trailer hitch ball position, a
frame-mounted trailer hitch must be installed.
Driving while you tow
When towing a trailer:
²Turn off the speed control. The speed control may shut off
automatically when you are towing on long, steep grades.
²Consult your local motor vehicle speed regulations for towing a trailer.
²To eliminate excessive shifting, use a lower gear. This will also assist
in transmission cooling. (For additional information, refer to the
Understanding the positions of the 4±speed automatic
transmissionsection in this chapter.
²Anticipate stops and brake gradually.
²Do not exceed the GCWR rating or transmission damage may occur.
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 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.
²To aid in engine/transmission cooling and A/C efficiency during hot
weather while stopped in traffic, place the gearshift lever in P (Park)
(automatic transmission) or N (Neutral) (manual transmissions).
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
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.
Driving
181