2008 FORD F150 Owners Manual

SuperCab 4x4 (145” wheelbase)
Engine Rear axle ratio Maximum
GCWR-lb. (kg)Maximum
trailer
weight-lb. (kg)
4.6L (with 17”
tires)3.55 11700 (5307) 6200 (2812)
4.6L (with 18”
tires)3.55 11200 (5080) 5700 (2585)
4.6L (with 17”
tires)3.73 12200 (5534) 6700 (3039)
4.6L (with 18”
tires)3.73 11700 (5307) 6200 (2812)
5.4L (with 17”
tires)3.55 14000 (6350) 8400 (3810)
5.4L (with 18”
or 20” tires)3.55 13500 (6123) 7900 (3583)
5.4L (with 17”
tires)3.73 15000 (6804) 9400 (4624)
5.4L (with 18”
or 20” tires)3.73 14500 (6577) 8900 (4037)
SuperCab 4x4 (163” wheelbase)
Engine Rear axle ratio Maximum
GCWR-lb. (kg)Maximum
trailer
weight-lb. (kg)
5.4L (Heavy
Duty)4.10 15300 (6940) 9300 (4218)
2008 F-150(f12)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Tires, Wheels and Loading
249

Crew Cab 4x2 (139” wheelbase)
Engine Rear axle ratio Maximum
GCWR-lb. (kg)Maximum
trailer
weight-lb. (kg)
4.6L (with 17”
tires)3.55 11700 (5307) 6400 (2903)
4.6L (with 18”
tires)3.55 11200 (5080) 5900 (2676)
4.6L (with 17”
tires)3.73 12200 (5534) 6900 (3130)
4.6L (with 18”
or 20” tires)3.73 11700 (5307) 6400 (2903)
5.4L (with 17”
tires)3.55 14000 (6350) 8600 (3901)
5.4L (with 18”
or 20” tires)3.55 13500 (6123) 8100 (3674)
5.4L (with 17”
tires)3.73 15000 (6804) 9500 (4309)
5.4L (with 18”
or 20” tires)3.73 14500 (6577) 9000 (4082)
Crew Cab 4x2 (139” wheelbase) Harley-Davidson & Limited
Versions
Engine Rear axle ratio Maximum
GCWR-lb. (kg)Maximum
trailer
weight-lb. (kg)
5.4L 3.73 11000 (4990) 5300 (2404)
2008 F-150(f12)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Tires, Wheels and Loading
250

Crew Cab 4x4 (139” wheelbase)
Engine Rear axle ratio Maximum
GCWR-lb. (kg)Maximum
trailer
weight-lb. (kg)
4.6L (with 17”
tires)3.73 12200 (5534) 6600 (2994)
4.6L (with 18”
tires)3.73 11700 (5307) 6100 (2767)
5.4L (with 17”
tires)3.55 14000 (6350) 8300 (3765)
5.4L (with 18”
or 20” tires)3.55 13500 (6123) 7800 (3538)
5.4L (with 17”
tires)3.73 15000 (6804) 9300 (4445)
5.4L (with 18”
or 20” tires)3.73 14500 (6577) 8800 (3992)
Crew Cab 4x4 (139” wheelbase) Harley-Davidson & Limited
Versions
Engine Rear axle ratio Maximum
GCWR-lb. (kg)Maximum
trailer
weight-lb. (kg)
5.4L 3.73 11000 (4990) 5100 (2313)
2008 F-150(f12)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Tires, Wheels and Loading
251

Crew Cab 4x2 (151” wheelbase)
Engine Rear axle ratio Maximum
GCWR-lb. (kg)Maximum
trailer
weight-lb. (kg)
4.6L (with 17”
tires)3.55 11700 (5307) 6300 (2858)
4.6L (with 18”
tires)3.55 11200 (5080) 5800 (2631)
4.6L (with 17”
tires)3.73 12200 (5534) 6800 (3084)
4.6L (with 18”
or 20” tires)3.73 11700 (5307) 6300 (2858)
5.4L (with 17”
tires)3.55 14000 (6350) 8500 (3855)
5.4L (with 18”
or 20” tires)3.55 13500 (6123) 8000 (3629)
5.4L (with 17”
tires)3.73 15000 (6804) 9500 (4309)
5.4L (with 18”
or 20” tires)3.73 14500 (6577) 9000 (4082)
2008 F-150(f12)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Tires, Wheels and Loading
252

Crew Cab 4x4 (151” wheelbase)
Engine Rear axle ratio Maximum
GCWR-lb. (kg)Maximum
trailer
weight-lb. (kg)
4.6L (with 17”
tires)3.73 12200 (5534) 6600 (2994)
4.6L (with 18”
tires)3.73 11700 (5307) 6100 (2767)
5.4L (with 17”
tires)3.55 14000 (6350) 8200 (3719)
5.4L (with 18”
or 20” tires)3.55 13500 (6123) 7700 (3493)
5.4L (with 17”
tires)3.73 15000 (6804) 9200 (4173)
5.4L (with 18”
or 20” tires)3.73 14500 (6577) 8700 (3946)
Trailer frontal area considerations:
•Not to exceed towing vehicle frontal area without Class IV trailer
towing package
•Not to exceed 60 square feet (5.52 square meters) with Class IV
trailer towing package
Note:Do not exceed trailer weight of 5,000 lb (2268 kg) when towing
with bumper only.
Preparing to tow
Use the proper equipment for towing a trailer and make sure it is
properly attached to your vehicle. See your authorized 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.
2008 F-150(f12)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Tires, Wheels and Loading
253

Weight distributing 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
1⁄2” (13 mm) of the reference point.
After proper adjustment, the rear bumper should be no higher than in
Step 2.
Note:Adjusting a weight distributing hitch so the rear bumper of the
vehicle is higher than it was unloaded will defeat the function of the
weight distributing 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.
2008 F-150(f12)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Tires, Wheels and Loading
254

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
authorized 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 one inch (25.4 mm) shank diameter. The bumper has a 5,000 lb.
(2,270 kg) trailer weight and 500 lb. (227 kg) tongue weight capacity.
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:
•To ensure proper “break-in” of powertrain components, do not trailer
tow during the first 1,000 miles (1600 km) of a new vehicle.
•To ensure proper “break-in” of powertrain components during the first
500 miles (800 km) of trailer towing, drive no faster than 70 mph
(112 km/h) with no full throttle starts.
•Turn off the speed control. The speed control may shut off
automatically when you are towing on long, steep grades.
•Consult your local motor vehicle speed regulations for towing a trailer.
•To eliminate excessive shifting, use a lower gear. This will also assist
in transmission cooling. (For additional information, refer to
Understanding the gearshift positions of the 4–speed automatic
transmissionin theDriving chapter.
•Anticipate stops and brake gradually.
•Do 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 yourscheduled maintenance
informationfor more information.
2008 F-150(f12)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Tires, Wheels and Loading
255

Trailer towing tips
•Practice 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.
•Allow more distance for stopping with a trailer attached.
•The trailer tongue weight should be 10–15% of the loaded trailer
weight.
•If you will be towing a trailer frequently in hot weather, hilly
conditions, at GCWR, or any combination of these factors, consider
refilling your rear axle with synthetic gear lube if not already so
equipped. Refer to theMaintenance and specificationschapter for
the lubricant specification. Remember that regardless of the rear axle
lube used, do not tow a trailer for the first 1,000 miles (1600 km) of a
new vehicle, and that the first 500 miles (800 km) of towing be done
at no faster than 70 mph (112 km/h) with no full throttle starts.
•After you have traveled 50 miles (80 km), thoroughly check your
hitch, electrical connections and trailer wheel lug nuts.
•To 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).
•Vehicles 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.
When backing down a ramp during boat launching or retrieval:
•do not allow the static water level to rise above the bottom edge of
the rear bumper.
•do not allow waves to break higher than 6 inches (15 cm) above the
bottom edge of the rear bumper.
Exceeding these limits may allow water to enter vehicle components:
•causing internal damage to the components.
•affecting driveability, emissions and reliability.
Replace the rear axle lubricant any time 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.
2008 F-150(f12)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Tires, Wheels and Loading
256