I'm currently looking to buy a 1994 F150 4x4 supercab/shortbed for infrequent towing. The truck has 91,8xx miles on it and it's a 5.0 with an E code transmission (E4OD, right?) and a 19 code axle (should be a 3.55). I'll be towing an open double axle steel car trailer with brakes and a small vintage race car with a combined weight of less than 4000 lbs. The concern is that I live in Western Pennsylvania and there are a lot of hills and mountains around here that I need to tow through to get to different tracks.

My question is, will this truck do the job on an infrequent basis (maybe 8 times a year) with no problems? Other than that the truck will just be a daily driver with nothing other than me to carry around. The used car lot that is selling the truck says that it has a towing package but I don't know how to tell for sure.

I've been reading the forum for a few hours and taller gears seem like a better choice for the hilly terrain in my area at the expense of fuel economy. Before I start towing, I plan on taking the truck to a local hitch specialist to get an external tranny cooler (if not already equipped) and some additional gauges to monitor the tranny temp and engine coolant temp.

Thanks in advance for any help.

 

You'll probably be fine, I'd try it and see how it does.

Does your truck have a brake controller? If not don't tow until it's installed.
Think also after having your tranny cooler installed, switching to a semi-synthetic or a full synthetic fluid. These handle the temps much better than traditional fluid.
Gears are a quick fix, try it out before you change them. You might be just fine.

Good luck and happy towing......

 

Thanks! I've asked around at various places including a trailer hitch shop and everybody says I should be fine.