Is there a formula for calculating tow capacity?
David
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Dr. Gerald N. Johnson [SMTP:[EMAIL PROTECTED]]
> Sent: Monday, July 03, 2000 9:16 AM
> To: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
> Subject: Re: [VAC] Re: V10 Dodge as tow vehicle
>
> My '98 F-150 has the 4.6 L small V-8. It was rated at only 2200 pounds
> towing with the 3.08 axle and 5 speed manual transmission. Based on
> relative thrust for starting the complete rig, truck and trailer, the
> 4.10 axle computes out to 4700 pounds towing capability. I've not yet
> hitched the Caravel, but its certain that the 4.10 makes it drive very
> nice unloaded (have to be a little careful about full throttle
> acceleration in traffic in second gear...) and the gas mileage seems to
> be unchanged at a round 16.3 mpg unloaded. It doesn't have the first
> gear thrust of my old 302 and Warner T-18 but then I pulled 7000 pound
> loads with that truck. The way it drives unloaded, I expect the Caravel
> to be a comfortable load. I will find out by next weekend.
>
> If the 4.10 doesn't prove to be a high enough ratio for this engine, I
> can get to the equivalent of a 4.56 ratio by changing the rear tires
> from 29.1" outside diameter (265-70R16) to 26" outside diameter
> (225-50R16 or 235-45R16) which by my computation adds enough thrust for
> another 1000 pounds of trailer.
>
> Gerald J.
