If you’re the owner of a 2002 Ford F150 then you need to know its towing capacity before pulling or hauling anything with it.
Towing heavy trailers weighing greater than the 2002 Ford F150’s max towing capacity will affect engine performance and it’s equally important for towing safety. Now, what is the 2002 Ford F150 Towing Capacity?
The 2002 Ford F150 Maximum Towing Capacity ranges between 2,000 – 8,800 lbs. (907- 3,992 kg) depending on different truck configurations, engine types, GCWR, cab styles, axle ratio codes, drivetrains, transmission, and wheelbase.
The following table covers the 2002 Ford F150 towing capacity by each engine type and GCWR.
| Type of Engine | GCWR | Max Towing |
|---|---|---|
| 4.2L EFI V6 Manual | 6,500 – 7,800 lbs. | 2,000 – 3,500 lbs. |
| 4.2L EFI V6 Automatic | 9,000 – 10,000 lbs. | 4,500 – 5,800 lbs. |
| 4.6L Triton V8 Manual | 6,500 – 7,800 lbs. | 2,000 – 3,500 lbs. |
| 4.6L Triton V8 Automatic | 10,000 – 11,500 lbs. | 2,000 – 7,200 lbs. |
| 5.4L 3V Triton V8 Automatic | 11,000 – 15,000 lbs. | 7,000 – 8,800 lbs. |
Towing capacities, shown in the above table, are the maximum capacities that can be achieved if your truck has one of these engine types.
Ford says that for all 2002 F150 trim levels and configurations, the trailer weight must not exceed 5,000 lbs when towing with or by bumper only.
For trailer weights exceeding 5,000 lbs., your truck must be equipped with either Trailer Towing Package, Heavy Duty Payload Package and a proper weight distribution hitch for easy towing.
Here I’ve collected all the 2002 Ford F150 towing and payload capacity information from the official Ford resources that include the 2002 Ford F150 Pickup Brochure and 2002 Ford RV and Trailor Towing Guide.
Table of Contents
2002 Ford F150 Trim Levels and Cab Styles
There are 6 different Trim Levels in the 2002 Ford F150.
- XL
- XLT
- Lightning
- King Ranch
- LARIAT
- Harley-Davidson
These trim levels are different from each other based on the features and other cosmetic additions. They may have different configurations, engine types, towing capacities, etc.
There are 3 body styles in the 2002 Ford F150: Regular Cab, SuperCab (Extended), and SuperCrew (Crew Cab).
Different cab styles and bed lengths will result in different Payload Capacities and GCWR resulting in different Towing Capacities.
2002 Ford F150 Towing Capacity by Engines
Let’s look into the towing capacities of each of the 3 engine options in the 2002 F150.
You can find your truck specifications and engine type by using the VIN decoder or simply by checking the Truck Safety Compliance Certification Label (Door Jamb Label).
| Type of Engine | GCWR | Max Towing |
|---|---|---|
| 4.2L EFI V6 Manual | 6,500 – 7,800 lbs. | 2,000 – 3,500 lbs. |
| 4.2L EFI V6 Automatic | 9,000 – 10,000 lbs. | 4,500 – 5,800 lbs. |
| 4.6L Triton V8 Manual | 6,500 – 7,800 lbs. | 2,000 – 3,500 lbs. |
| 4.6L Triton V8 Automatic | 10,000 – 11,500 lbs. | 2,000 – 7,200 lbs. |
| 5.4L 3V Triton V8 Automatic | 11,000 – 15,000 lbs. | 7,000 – 8,800 lbs. |
4.2L EFI V6 Manual Towing Capacity
The maximum towing capacity of 2002 Ford F150 with a 4.2L EFI V6 manual transmission engine is between 2,000 – 3,500 lbs. when properly equipped with Trailer Tow Packages.
This engine delivers a power of 202 hp @ 4,800 rpm and a torque of 252 lb.-ft. @ 3,400 rpm and has a GCWR between 6,500 – 7,800 lbs.
4.2L EFI V6 Automatic Towing Capacity
The maximum towing capacity of 2002 Ford F150 with a 4.2L EFI V6 automatic transmission engine ranges between 4,500 – 5,800 lbs. when properly equipped with Trailer Tow Packages.
This engine delivers a power of 202 hp @ 4,800 rpm and a torque of 252 lb.-ft. @ 3,400 rpm and has a GCWR between 9,000 – 10,000 lbs.
4.6L Triton V8 Manual Towing Capacity
The maximum towing capacity of 2002 Ford F150 with a 4.6L Triton V8 manual transmission engine ranges between 2,000 – 3,500 lbs. for all cabs when properly equipped with Trailer Tow Packages.
This engine delivers a power of 231 hp @ 4,750 rpm and a torque of 293 lb.-ft. @ 3,500 rpm and has a GCWR between 6,500 – 7,800 lbs.
4.6L Triton V8 Automatic Towing Capacity
The 2002 Ford F150’s maximum towing capacity with a 4.6L Triton V8 automatic transmission engine ranges between 2,000 – 7,200 lbs. for all cabs when properly equipped with Trailer Tow Packages.
This engine delivers a power of 231 hp @ 4,750 rpm and a torque of 293 lb.-ft. @ 3,500 rpm and has a GCWR between 10,000 – 11,500 lbs.
5.4L 3V Triton V8 Towing Capacity
The maximum towing capacity of 2002 Ford F150 with a 5.4L 3V Triton V8 automatic transmission engine ranges between 7,000 – 8,800 lbs. when properly equipped with Trailer Tow Packages.
This engine delivers a power of 260 hp @ 4,500 rpm and a torque of 350 lb.-ft. @ 2,500 rpm and has a GCWR between 11,000 – 15,000 lbs.
2002 Ford F150 Towing Capacity Charts
The below charts describe the conventional and 5th-wheel trailer towing capacity of the 2002 Ford F150.
Conventional Trailer Towing
5th-Wheel Towing
2002 Ford F150 XLT Towing Capacity Chart
| Trims | Drive Type | Cab Style | Bed Style | Wheelbase | Maximum Towing Capacity | Payload Capacity | Axle Ratio | Curb Weight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| XLT | 4×2 | Regular Cab | Flareside | 120 in. | 8800 lb | 2103 lb | 3.08 | 3947 lb |
| XLT | 4×2 | Regular Cab | Styleside | 120 in. | 8800 lb | 2115 lb | 3.08 | 3935 lb |
| XLT | 4×2 | Regular Cab | Styleside | 139 in. | 8800 lb | 1997 lb | 3.08 | 4053 lb |
| XLT | 4×2 | Super Cab | Flareside | 139 in. | 8700 lb | 1826 lb | 3.08 | 4224 lb |
| XLT | 4×2 | Super Cab | Styleside | 139 in. | 8700 lb | 1837 lb | 3.08 | 4213 lb |
| XLT | 4×2 | Super Cab | Styleside | 157 in. | 8700 lb | 1660 lb | 3.08 | 4390 lb |
| XLT | 4×4 | Regular Cab | Flareside | 120 in. | 8400 lb | 1727 lb | 3.55 | 4323 lb |
| XLT | 4×4 | Regular Cab | Styleside | 120 in. | 8400 lb | 1739 lb | 3.55 | 4311 lb |
| XLT | 4×4 | Regular Cab | Styleside | 139 in. | 8400 lb | 1646 lb | 3.55 | 4404 lb |
| XLT | 4×4 | Super Cab | Flareside | 139 in. | 8300 lb | 1611 lb | 3.31 | 4639 lb |
| XLT | 4×4 | Super Cab | Styleside | 139 in. | 8300 lb | 1622 lb | 3.31 | 4628 lb |
| XLT | 4×4 | Super Cab | Styleside | 157 in. | 8300 lb | 1490 lb | 3.55 | 4760 lb |
2002 Ford F150 XL Towing Capacity Chart
| Trims | Drive Type | Cab Style | Bed Style | Wheelbase | Maximum Towing Capacity | Payload Capacity | Axle Ratio | Curb Weight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| XL | 4×2 | Regular Cab | Flareside | 120 in. | 8800 lb | 2103 lb | 3.08 | 3947 lb |
| XL | 4×2 | Regular Cab | Styleside | 120 in. | 8800 lb | 2115 lb | 3.08 | 3935 lb |
| XL | 4×2 | Regular Cab | Styleside | 139 in. | 8800 lb | 1997 lb | 3.08 | 4053 lb |
| XL | 4×2 | Super Cab | Flareside | 139 in. | 8700 lb | 1826 lb | 3.08 | 4224 lb |
| XL | 4×2 | Super Cab | Styleside | 139 in. | 8700 lb | 1837 lb | 3.08 | 4213 lb |
| XL | 4×2 | Super Cab | Styleside | 157 in. | 8700 lb | 1660 lb | 3.08 | 4390 lb |
| XL | 4×4 | Regular Cab | Flareside | 120 in. | 8400 lb | 1727 lb | 3.55 | 4323 lb |
| XL | 4×4 | Regular Cab | Styleside | 120 in. | 8400 lb | 1739 lb | 3.55 | 4311 lb |
| XL | 4×4 | Regular Cab | Styleside | 139 in. | 8400 lb | 1646 lb | 3.55 | 4404 lb |
| XL | 4×4 | Super Cab | Flareside | 139 in. | 8300 lb | 1611 lb | 3.31 | 4639 lb |
| XL | 4×4 | Super Cab | Styleside | 139 in. | 8300 lb | 1622 lb | 3.31 | 4628 lb |
| XL | 4×4 | Super Cab | Styleside | 157 in. | 8300 lb | 1490 lb | 3.55 | 4760 lb |
2002 Ford F150 Lariat Towing Capacity Chart
| Trims | Drive Type | Cab Style | Bed Style | Wheelbase | Maximum Towing Capacity | Payload Capacity | Axle Ratio | Curb Weight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lightning | 4×2 | Regular Cab | Flareside | 120 in. | 5000 lb | 780 lb | 3.73 | 4670 lb |
| Lariat | 4×2 | Super Cab | Flareside | 139 in. | 8700 lb | 1826 lb | 3.55 | 4224 lb |
| Lariat | 4×2 | Super Cab | Styleside | 139 in. | 8700 lb | 1837 lb | 3.55 | 4213 lb |
| Lariat | 4×2 | Super Cab | Styleside | 157 in. | 8700 lb | 1660 lb | 3.55 | 4390 lb |
| Lariat | 4×4 | Super Cab | Flareside | 139 in. | 8300 lb | 1611 lb | 3.55 | 4639 lb |
| Lariat | 4×4 | Super Cab | Styleside | 139 in. | 8300 lb | 1622 lb | 3.55 | 4628 lb |
| Lariat | 4×4 | Super Cab | Styleside | 157 in. | 8300 lb | 1490 lb | 3.55 | 4760 lb |
2002 Ford F150 Payload Capacity Charts
The following charts show the 2002 Ford F150 payload capacity by each engine type, cab style, and wheelbase. There are two charts; one is for the Styleside F-150 payload package selector and the other is for Flareside.
More Useful Charts
2002 Ford F150 GCWR and TWR
One important thing you need to know to calculate the towing capacity of your truck is the GCWR. This is the Gross Combined Weight Rating that can be seen on your truck manuals.
This value is set by the vehicle manufacturers and is used while calculating the actual towing capacity of the truck.
The below chart gallery contains all the GCWR and TWR of the 2002 Ford F150.
How to Calculate 2002 F150 Towing Capacity?
The ratings written on the Owner’s Manuals or Ford Towing Guides are the maximum ratings that must not be exceeded and are calculated with assumed passengers, cargo weight, and base configurations.
You may have a different no. of passengers, cargo weight, payload, and body additions to your truck. The situation can be different in your case.
While measuring the actual towing capacity of your specific 2002 F-150 truck configuration, you must calculate it considering GCWR, curb weight, passenger weight, cargo weight, and any truck body additions.
The simple formula for calculating the 2002 F150 towing capacity is GCWR – Curb Weight – Passengers Weight – Cargo Weight – Truck Body Additions ≥ Maximum Trailer Weight.
GCWR is the Gross Combined Weight Rating which is the max. combined weight of fully loaded vehicle and trailer set by the Ford.
If you apply the above formula, this will minus all the weights from GCWR, and the resulting value will give the max. trailer towing capacity of your truck (the max. weight your truck can tow safely).
You can find the GCWR and curb weight of your 2002 F150 by VIN decoder. Simply enter the 17-digit VIN of your 2002 F150 truck and press the decode button. You’ll find all the information needed to calculate the towing capacity.
The tongue load is the downward force that the tongue of the trailer exerts on the rear step bumper or the hitch receiver. It’s usually 10-15% of the trailer weight.
- For conventional trailer towing, the tongue load weight is calculated as 10% of the total loaded trailer weight.
- For 5th-wheel towing, the tongue load weight is calculated as 15% of the total loaded trailer weight.
Let’s take an example; if the max trailer weight (max towing capacity) is 8,000 lbs then the tongue weight must not exceed 800 lbs (or 10% of the total trailer weight).
Useful Resources
2002 Ford RV and Trailer Towing Guide PDF
FAQs
How much weight can a 2002 Ford F-150 tow?
The 2002 F150 can tow between 2,000 – 8,800 lbs. (907- 3,992 kg) depending on different truck configurations, engine types, GCWR, cab styles, axle ratio codes, drivetrains, transmission, and wheelbase.
How much can a 2002 Ford F-150 5.4L Triton tow?
The 2002 Ford F150 with a 5.4L 3V Triton V8 automatic transmission engine can tow a maximum between 7,000 – 8,800 lbs. when properly equipped with Trailer Tow Packages.
Conclusion
The max towing capacity of the 2002 Ford F-150 is between 2,000 – 8,800 lbs. (907- 3,992 kg). I’ve broken down as much information as possible within this article and made it an easy 2002 F150 towing capacity guide using charts, tables, and helpful resources, and recommended the best towing equipment.
You should always determine towing capacity and choose the necessary equipment considering the truck configuration and after contacting your local dealer.
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