how to boost tow limit to 7000?

[whtrapta]

The new transmission made the 5.4 actually worth something. I raced my friends f150 5.4 its a 2004 vs my 5.4 raptor and I killed him, Just slaughtered!

 

[iceman302]

My 5.4 raptor towed a loaded trailer over 6000lbs from vegas to MO. Thats a lot of long hills between, especially in flagstaff area. I never had a single issue. I had more power than I would ever need. Not one hill pulled me under 70. Plus I had tons of power when I got stuck behind someone slow going maybe 50 and blow past them on steep hills. If your expedition was a 2008 or earlier, the difference in the power is HUGE.

You're also talking about a 6 speed auto versus the dinosaur 4 speed auto that came in the 2008's.

 

[whtrapta]

You're also talking about a 6 speed auto versus the dinosaur 4 speed auto that came in the 2008's.

The new transmission made the 5.4 actually worth something. I raced my friends f150 5.4 its a 2004 vs my 5.4 raptor and I killed him, Just slaughtered!

Thats why I added this. I also was able to manage 12.5 across the country. My friend and I drove his 2004 towing my flatbed with 2 (sport) quads and a dirtbike from vegas to amargosa (90 miles and mostly flat) only averaged 9!

 

[iceman302]

Thats why I added this. I also was able to manage 12.5 across the country. My friend and I drove his 2004 towing my flatbed with 2 (sport) quads and a dirtbike from vegas to amargosa (90 miles and mostly flat) only averaged 9!

I saw your second post after I'd already posted mine.

 

[whtrapta]

I saw your second post after I'd already posted mine.

Thats what I figured lol. I just thought it may be fun to be an ass jkjk

 

[Nv Guy]

I don't know if you can find a mounting kit for a 5th hitch in a 5.5 bed. I wouldn't assume the liability of making something "work". Then there is the clearance issue, yeah you can tow it, but can you make a turn while going up an incline without smashing the cab into the trailer? In my years in the RV biz I saw several smashed trailers &dented cabs with 6' beds, I can only imagine how tight it's gonna be with a 5.5'

 

[linexsa]

I don't know if you can find a mounting kit for a 5th hitch in a 5.5 bed. I wouldn't assume the liability of making something "work". Then there is the clearance issue, yeah you can tow it, but can you make a turn while going up an incline without smashing the cab into the trailer? In my years in the RV biz I saw several smashed trailers &dented cabs with 6' beds, I can only imagine how tight it's gonna be with a 5.5'

most of the 5th wheel kits are universal, and will mount in almost anything. over the past few years we have started to see custom bracketry that is vehicle specific. Im pretty sure there are no specific 5.5' brackets, but that leaves the door wide open for people to use the universal kits.

 

[iceman302]

Thats what I figured lol. I just thought it may be fun to be an ass jkjk

It usually is.

 

[Nv Guy]

most of the 5th wheel kits are universal, and will mount in almost anything. over the past few years we have started to see custom bracketry that is vehicle specific. Im pretty sure there are no specific 5.5' brackets, but that leaves the door wide open for people to use the universal kits.

You can get universal kits, but you better know what your doing.
Back in the day everything had a more or less standard C channel frame. Now the frames are much more "engineered" & you are asking for trouble by just randomly welding & drilling holes in them.
For as lawsuit happy as everyone is today, I would want a hitch mounting system that has an engineer behind it.

OK -I stand corrected, I did some research and found that Draw Tite and Reese both have kits to install a 5th hitch in a 5.5 bed, Valley does not.

Here are some guidelines from the Ford Bodybuilers website regarding drilling holes in your frame (this is only a small part of it):

https://www.fleet.ford.com/truckbbas/topics/mission.html


1. Holes that would weaken the frame sidemember
should not be drilled in the frame. Holes are not to
be drilled in the sidemember’s top or bottom flange.
2. Holes to mount brackets, out-riggers, and supports,
may be drilled in the vertical frame side rail web
with the following restrictions:
• Material between edge of hole and inside of
upper or lower flange must not be less than
1.50 inch for low carbon steel (36,000 PSI yield).
• The minimum edge distance between any two
holes up to 0.625 inch diameter must be 1.00
inch. For larger than 0.625 inch diameter holes,
the minimum edge distance must be 1.5 times
the diameter of the largest hole.
• 0.75 inch is maximum hole diameter.
• Avoid close vertical succession of fasteners.
• All attaching fasteners, including flat washers,
must be of high strength steel (Grade 8).