2008 Ford F150 Towing Capacity Guide (with Charts)
If you’ve got a 2008 Ford F150 then you need to know its towing capacity before pulling or hauling anything with it.
Towing heavy trailers weighing greater than the 2008 Ford F150’s max towing capacity will affect engine performance and it’s equally important for towing safety. Now, what is the 2008 Ford F150 Towing Capacity?
The 2008 F150 Towing Capacity (Maximum) ranges between 2,300 – 11,000 lbs. (1,043 – 4,990 kg) depending on different truck configurations, engine types, GCWR, cab styles, axle ratio codes, drivetrains, transmission, and wheelbase.
The following table covers the 2008 Ford F150 towing capacity by each engine type and GCWR.
| Type of Engine | GCWR | Max Towing |
|---|---|---|
| 4.2L EFI V6 Manual | 7200 – 8500 lbs. | 2,300 – 3,700 lbs. |
| 4.2L EFI V6 Automatic | 10,000 – 10,500 lbs. | 5,100 – 5,700 lbs. |
| 4.6L Triton V8 Automatic | 11,500 – 12,200 lbs. | 6,100 – 7,200 lbs. |
| 5.4L 3V Triton V8 Automatic | 11,000 – 16,400 lbs. | 7,400 – 11,000 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 2008 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 or Max Trailer Towing Package and a proper weight distribution hitch.
Here I’ve collected all the 2008 Ford F150 towing and payload capacity information from the official Ford resources that include the 2008 Ford F150 Pickup Brochure and 2008 Ford RV Trailor Towing Guide.
2008 Ford F150 Cab Styles
There are 3 body styles in the 2008 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.
2008 Ford F150 Towing Capacity by Engines
Let’s look into the towing capacities of each of the 3 engine options in the 2008 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 | 7200 – 8500 lbs. | 2,300 – 3,700 lbs. |
| 4.2L EFI V6 Automatic | 10,000 – 10,500 lbs. | 5,100 – 5,700 lbs. |
| 4.6L Triton V8 Automatic | 11,500 – 12,200 lbs. | 6,100 – 7,200 lbs. |
| 5.4L 3V Triton V8 Automatic | 11,000 – 16,400 lbs. | 7,400 – 11,000 lbs. |
4.2L EFI V6 Manual Towing Capacity
The maximum towing capacity of the 2008 Ford F150 with a 4.2L EFI V6 manual transmission engine is between 2,300 – 3,700 lbs. when properly equipped with Trailer Tow Packages.
This engine delivers a power of 202 hp @ 4,350 rpm and a torque of 260 lb.-ft. @ 3,750 rpm and has a GCWR between 7200 – 8500 lbs.
4.2L EFI V6 Automatic Towing Capacity
The maximum towing capacity of the 2008 Ford F150 with a 4.2L EFI V6 automatic transmission engine is between 5,100 – 5,700 lbs. when properly equipped with Trailer Tow Packages.
This engine delivers a power of 202 hp @ 4,350 rpm and a torque of 260 lb.-ft. @ 3,750 rpm and has a GCWR between 10,000 – 10,500 lbs.
4.6L Triton V8 Towing Capacity
The maximum towing capacity of the 2008 Ford F150 with a 4.6L Triton V8 automatic transmission engine is between 6,100 – 7,200 lbs. for all cabs when properly equipped with Trailer Tow Packages.
This engine delivers a power of 248 hp @ 4,750 rpm and a torque of 294 lb.-ft. @ 4,000 rpm and has a GCWR between 11,500 – 12,200 lbs.
5.4L 3V Triton V8 Towing Capacity
The maximum towing capacity of the 2008 Ford F150 with a 5.4L 3V Triton V8 automatic transmission engine is between 7,400 – 11,000 lbs. when properly equipped with Trailer Tow Packages.
This engine delivers a power of 300 hp @ 5,000 rpm and a torque of 365 lb.-ft. @ 3,750 rpm and has a GCWR between 11,000 – 16,400 lbs.
2008 Ford F150 Towing Capacity Charts
The below charts describe the conventional and 5th-wheel trailer towing capacity of the 2008 Ford F150.
Conventional Trailer Towing
5th-Wheel and Gooseneck Towing
More Useful Charts
2008 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 2008 Ford F150.
Useful Resources
2008 Ford RV and Trailer Towing Guide PDF
FAQs
How much weight can a 2008 Ford F-150 tow?
The 2008 F150 can tow between 2,300 – 11,000 lbs. (1,043 – 4,990 kg) depending on different truck configurations, engine types, GCWR, cab styles, axle ratio codes, drivetrains, transmission, and wheelbase.
How much can a 2008 Ford F-150 5.4 Triton tow?
The 2008 Ford F150 with a 5.4L 3V Triton V8 automatic transmission engine can tow a maximum between 7,400 – 11,000 lbs. when properly equipped with Trailer Tow Packages.
Conclusion
The max towing capacity of the 2008 Ford F-150 is between 2,300 – 11,000 lbs. I’ve done deep research to find out and broken down as much information as possible within this article and made it an easy 2008 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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