It seems like the F-150 manual transmission in either V6 or V8 are very weak - a max of 2-3000 lbs. I may have to go with the Dodge Dakota since the basic V6 will pull nearly 4,000 lbs. Can anyone tell me if I'm wrong about the towing capacity?

 

The towing capacity ofthe manual is low. 1st gear is too high to start off with any weight so slipping the clutch will burn it up. I pulled an Explorer, 4300 lbs with mine and it could take the strain but I may have shortened the life of the clutch. It had to be changed at around 80,00 KM (50,000 miles).

Regards

Jean Marc Chartier

 

I questioned the Dodge rating, then again why question the rating since you will be replacing it over and over and over and over... Good luck with the dodge, and BUY the extended warranty coverage that will "hopefully" pay for all the transmissions you will need...

 

Yep, they sure do rate the manuals lower. (at least in the 3/4 tons, get up to the F250 and 350's and it's a different story.) However, they are unrealistically low. I work on a farm, as many do on this site, and most can probably also attest to this, they'll pull A HECK of a lot anyhow. Here's two pictures of the trucks I use for farm use. The Grey and White one has 264,000 miles (5.0), the clutch was replaced at 130,000 (not even towing something, just cruising in town ) and the old brown (I6)beater has 150,000, second clutch at around 145,000. I tow the camper, car hauler, grain wagons, hay/straw wagons VERY frequntly with both of these trucks, which are both manual. I know that I am massivly exceeding what they are rated for, but it doesn't seem to matter. Yeah, occasionally I do have to slip the clutch a little, but 95% of the time, not that much.






I bet I've exceeded the "manufactorer's rated capacity" by at least 4,000 lbs.