The 2002 Ford F150 was the perfect all-around vehicle, offering both rugged performance and passenger comfort. Its attractive Built and tough body style made this pickup truck one of America’s hottest-selling vehicles. When anyone needed a reliable ride for RV and towing tasks that don’t require an extra-large rig, the F150 was the way to go.
The towing capacity of the 2002 Ford F-150 varies depending on the engine and trim level. The 4.2L V6 engine has a towing capacity of up to 4,000 lbs, while the 4.6L V8 engine can tow up to 7,700 lbs. If you need even more towing power, the 5.4L V8 engine can handle up to 8,800 lbs.
As part of the legendary F-Series lineup, the 2002 Ford F150 continued to provide reliable service for years. If you are purchasing a used 2002 Ford F150, or already own it, you can go through this detailed guide to explore the towing capacity with conventional, and 5th-wheel towing charts.
Table of Contents
The 2002 Ford F-150 was known for its outstanding towing capacity. With the strongest frame in the class and innovative suspension engineering, this rugged pickup truck can easily handle heavy loads.
The F-150 SuperCrew expanded the utility of a full-size pickup by adding four full-size doors and comfortable seating for six adults – without compromising its “tough truck” image and capabilities. SuperCrew was the latest example of how America’s best-selling trucks keep coming up with better ways to get the job done.
Features of the 2002 Ford F150
- Available SuperCab models with four doors standard.
- Choice of 5-speed manual or 4-speed automatic overdrive transmissions.
- Can be equipped to tow trailers up to 8,800 pounds.
- 4-wheel disc ABS standard on all models.
- Standard SecuriLock™ passive antitheft system.
2002 Ford F150 Engine Options
The 2002 Ford F150 was available with three powerful engine options including a 4.2L OHV V6, a 4.6L SOHC V8, and a 5.4L SOHC V8 engine.
| ENGINE | MAXIMUM POWER | MAXIMUM TORQUE |
| 4.2L OHV V6 | 202 hp | 252 lb.-ft. |
| 4.6L SOHC V8 | 231 hp | 293 lb.-ft. |
| 5.4L SOHC V8 | 260 hp | 350 lb.-ft. |
2002 Ford F150 Towing Capacity Chart based on Engine Types
The towing capacity of the 2002 Ford F150 ranges from 2,000 lbs to 8,800 lbs depending on the cab configuration, engine specification, axle ratio, drivetrain, and other modifications.
| Engine | Maximum Towing Capacity |
| 4.2L V6 | 5,700 lbs |
| 4.6L SEFI V8 | 7,200 lbs |
| 5.4L SEFI V8 | 8,800 lbs |
| 5.4L NGV V8 (Natural Gas) | 5,900 lbs |
You will find a couple of charts here straight from Ford’s 2001 F150 towing guide. These charts are pretty handy as they break down how much stuff you can haul with your pickup, both with a regular trailer and a 5th-wheel trailer.
In these charts, you’ll find info about the different engines available for the F150, the gear ratios in the axles, the maximum combined weight that the truck and trailer can safely be, whether it’s a two-wheel or four-wheel drive, and the various cab styles you can pick from.
Now, in the first chart, you’ll see numbers for both manual and automatic transmissions when it comes to towing with a regular trailer. But when it comes to towing a 5th-wheel trailer, the second chart only gives you figures for trucks with automatic transmissions. Why? Well, it’s because Ford doesn’t recommend towing 5th-wheel trailers with F150s that have manual transmissions.
Now, let’s explore all the towing charts of the 2002 Ford F150 with engine configuration, drivetrain, axle ratio, and wheelbase.
2002 Ford F150 Conventional Towing Capacity
There were three configurations for the 2002 Ford F150 Pickup trucks which were Regular Cab, Super Cab, and Supercrew. All these variations were also available on both 4×2 and 4×4 drive types. The towing capacity of the 2002 F150 varied according to the vehicle configuration, engine types, axle ratio, and wheelbase.
(I) With 16-inch tires or 4x2 17-inch tires. (II) With 4x4 17-inch tires. (III) Available with 7700 Payload.
Regular Cab
| Maximum Loaded Trailer Weight (Lbs.) – Automatic Transmission | ||||
| Engine | Axle Ratio | GCWR (lbs.) | Drive Type | |
| 4×2 | 4×4 | |||
| 4.2L SEFI V6 | 3.31 | 9,000 | 4,700 | – |
| 3.55 | 10,000 | 5,700 | 5,400 | |
| 4.6L SEFI V8 | 3.08 | 10,000 | 2,000 | – |
| 3.31 | 10,500 | 6,000 | 5,800 | |
| 3.55 | 11,500 (I) | 7,200 | 6,800 | |
| 3.55 | 11,000 (II) | – | 6,300 | |
| 5.4L SEFI V8 | 3.31 | 12,000 | 7,600 | 7,200 |
| 3.55 | 13,000 (I) | 8,600 | 8,200 | |
| 3.55 | 12,500 (II) | – | 7,700 | |
| 3.73 (III) | 13,500 | 8,800 | 8,400 | |
| 4.10 (III) | 15,000 | 8,800 | – | |
| 5.4L NGV V8(Natural Gas) | 3.73 | 11,000 | 5,900 | – |
| Maximum Loaded Trailer Weight (Lbs.) – Manual Transmission | ||||
| 4.2L SEFI V6 | 3.08 | 6,500 | 2,000 | – |
| 3.31 | 7,200 | – | 2,600 | |
| 3.55 | 7,800 | 3,500 | 3,200 | |
| 4.6L SEFI V8 | 3.08 | 6,500 | 2,000 | – |
| 3.31 | 7,200 | 2,900 | 2,500 | |
| 3.55 | 7,800 | 3,500 | 3,100 | |
SuperCab
| Maximum Loaded Trailer Weight (Lbs.) – Automatic Transmission | ||||
| Engine | Axle Ratio | GCWR (lbs.) | Drive Type | |
| 4×2 | 4×4 | |||
| 4.2L SEFI V6 | 3.31 | 9,000 | 4,500 | – |
| 3.55 | 10,000 | 5,500 | – | |
| 4.6L SEFI V8 | 3.08 | 10,000 | 2,000 | – |
| 3.31 | 10,500 | 5,900 | 5,600 | |
| 3.55 | 11,500 (I) | 6,900 | 6,600 | |
| 3.55 | 11,000 (II) | – | 6,100 | |
| 5.4L SEFI V8 | 3.31 | 12,000 | 7,300 | 7,000 |
| 3.55 | 13,000 (I) | 8,300 | 8,000 | |
| 3.55 | 12,500 (II) | – | 7,500 | |
| 3.73 (III) | 13,500 | 8,600 | 8,200 | |
| 4.10 (IV) | 15,000 | 8,600 | – | |
| Maximum Loaded Trailer Weight (Lbs.) – Manual Transmission | ||||
| 4.2L SEFI V6 | 3.08 | 6,500 | 2,000 | – |
| 3.31 | 7,200 | – | 2,600 | |
| 3.55 | 7,800 | 3,300 | 3,200 | |
| 4.6L SEFI V8 | 3.08 | 6,500 | 2,000 | – |
| 3.31 | 7,200 | 2,600 | 2,300 | |
| 3.55 | 7,800 | 3,200 | 2,900 | |
SuperCrew
| Maximum Loaded Trailer Weight (Lbs.) – Automatic Transmission | ||||
| Engine | Axle Ratio | GCWR (lbs.) | Drive Type | |
| 4×2 | 4×4 | |||
| 4.6L SEFI V8 | 3.55 | 11,500 (I) | 6,600 | 6,200 |
| 3.73 | 11,000 (II) | – | 6,100 | |
| 5.4L SEFI V8 | 3.55 | 13,000 (I) | 8,000 | 7,600 |
| 3.55 | 12,500 (II) | – | 7,100 | |
2002 Ford F150 Fifth-Wheel Towing Capacity
Regular Cab
| Maximum Loaded Trailer Weight (Lbs.) – Automatic Transmission | ||||
| Engine | Axle Ratio | GCWR (lbs.) | Drive Type | |
| 4×2 | 4×4 | |||
| 4.2L SEFI V6 | 3.55 | 10,000 | 5,800 | 5,400 |
| 4.6L SEFI V8 | 3.55 | 11,500 (I) | 7,200 | 6,900 |
| 3.73 | 11,000 (II) | – | 6,400 | |
| 5.4L SEFI V8 | 3.55 | 13,000 (I) | 8,600 | 8,300 |
| 3.55 | 12,500 (II) | – | 7,800 | |
| 3.73 (III) | 13,500 | 8,800 | 8,400 | |
| 4.10 (IV) | 15,000 | 8,800 | – | |
SuperCab
| Maximum Loaded Trailer Weight (Lbs.) – Automatic Transmission | ||||
| Engine | Axle Ratio | GCWR (lbs.) | Drive Type | |
| 4×2 | 4×4 | |||
| 4.2L SEFI V6 | 3.55 | 10,000 | 5,500 | – |
| 4.6L SEFI V8 | 3.55 | 11,500 (I) | 6,900 | 6,600 |
| 3.73 | 11,000 (II) | – | 6,100 | |
| 5.4L SEFI V8 | 3.55 | 13,000 (I) | 8,300 | 8,000 |
| 3.55 | 12,500 (II) | – | 7,500 | |
| 3.73 (III) | 13,500 | 8,600 | 8,300 | |
| 4.10 (IV) | 15,000 | 8,600 | – | |
2002 Ford F150 Maximum Cargo Weight With Slide-In Camper
The following table lists GVWRs and Maximum Cargo Weights (with minimum equipment) by the engine for each approved pickup model: 4.6L V8 and 5.4L V8. The cargo Weight Rating shown in the table is the maximum allowable, assuming the weight of a base vehicle with required camper option content and a 150-lb. passenger at each available seating position. Requires Heavy-Duty Payload Package option.
| Engine | Cab Style | Drive Type | Wheelbase | GVWR (Lbs.) | Axle Ratio | Maximum Cargo Weight Rating (Lbs.) |
| 4.6L V8 | Regular Cab | 4×2 | 138.5″ | 6,600 | 3.55 | 2,005 |
| 5.4L V8 | 4×2 | 138.5″ | 6,600 | 3.55 | 1,902 | |
| 5.4L V8 | 4×2 | 138.5″ | 7,700 | 3.73/4.10 | 2,701/2,641 | |
| 5.4L V8 | 4×4 | 138.8″ | 7,700 | 3.73 | 2,362 | |
| 5.4L V8 | SuperCab | 4×2 | 138.5″ | 7,700 | 3.73/4.10 | 2,114/2,054 |
| 5.4L V8 | SuperCab | 4×4 | 138.8″ | 7,700 | 3.73 | 1,770 |
2002 FORD F-150 Trailer Towing Packages
The following components are included in the trailer towing packages.
- Super Engine Cooling
- Trailer Wiring Harness (7-Pin)
- Hitch Receiver
- Aux. Auto Trans. Oil Cooler
- Heavy-Duty Shocks
Explore the rich heritage of the Ford F-150 and witness its evolution throughout the years. Please check out the Ford F150 towing capacity by year article where we have covered all the F-150 model’s tow ratings by each specific year.
2002 Ford F-150 Payload Capacity
Payload refers to the total weight of both passengers and cargo that a truck is specifically designed to carry. It is calculated by subtracting the Base Curb Weight from the Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR). The following chart lists GVWRs and Maximum Cargo Weights (with minimum equipment) by engine for the 2002 Ford F150.
F-150 Flareside
| Cab Style | Engine | Drive Type | GVWR (Lbs.) | Max. Payload (Lbs.) |
| Regular Cab | 4.2L | 4×2 | 6,050 | 2,045 |
| 4×4 | 6,050 | 1,690 | ||
4.6L | 4×2 | 6,050 | 1,995 | |
| 4×4 | 6,250 | 1,845 | ||
5.4L | 4×2 | 6,050 | 1,865 | |
| 4×4 | 6,300 | 1,765 | ||
SuperCab | 4.2L | 4×2 | 6,050 | 1,810 |
4.6L | 4×2 | 6,050 | 1,725 | |
| 4×4 | 6,250 | 1,595 | ||
5.4L | 4×2 | 6,300 | 1,840 | |
| 4×4 | 6,500 | 1,710 |
F-150 Styleside
| Cab Style | Engine | Drive Type | GVWR (Lbs.) | Max. Payload (Lbs.) |
Regular Cab | 4.2L | 4×2 | 6,050 | 1,985/2,060 |
| 4×4 | 6,050 | 1,635/1,705 | ||
| 4.6L | 4×2 | 6,050 | 1,900/2,010 | |
| 4×2 | 6,600 | 2,370 | ||
| 4×4 | 6,250 | 1,745/1,860 | ||
| 5.4L | 4×2 | 6,050 | 1,760/1,875 | |
| 4×2 | 7,700 | 3,150 | ||
| 4×4 | 6,300 | 1,660/1,775 | ||
| 4×4 | 7,700 | 2,810 | ||
| SuperCab | 4.2L | 4×2 | 6,050 | 1,825 |
| 4.6L | 4×2 | 6,050 | 1,560/1,740 | |
| 4×4 | 6,250 | 1,440/1,610 | ||
| 5.4L | 4×2 | 6,300 | 1,675/1,850 | |
| 4×2 | 7,700 | 3,010 | ||
| 4×4 | 6,500 | 1,555/1,725 | ||
| 4×4 | 7,700 | 2,670 | ||
| SuperCrew | 4.6L | 4×2 | 6,350 | 1,695 |
| 4×4 | 6,500 | 1,495 | ||
| 5.4L | 4×2 | 6,600 | 1,840 | |
| 4×4 | 6,750 | 1,640 |
2002 Ford F-150 Hitch Receiver
| Ford Rear Step Bumper/Hitch Receiver Weight Capacity | Max. Tongue Weight (lbs.) | |
| Weight-Carrying Capacity (lbs.) | 5,000 | 500 |
| Weight-Distributing Capacity (lbs.) | 8,800 | 880 |
Frontal Area Considerations
Frontal area is the total area in square feet that a moving vehicle and trailer exposes to air resistance. The chart shows the limitations that must be considered in selecting a vehicle/trailer combination. Exceeding these limitations may significantly reduce the performance of your towing vehicle.
| F150 | Base Vehicle Frontal Area | Without Class III Trailer Tow Group or 7700 Payload |
| 60 sq. ft. | With Class III Trailer Tow Group or 7700 Payload Group |
Conclusion
The 2002 Ford F150 offers a maximum towing of up to 8,800 lbs when powered by a 5.4L SEFI V8 engine. This powerful engine offers a maximum power of 260 hp, and a peak torque of 350 lb.-ft.
There are towing packages available including traction bars, transmission coolers, brakes, hitches, and more to boost the towing capacity of your Ford F150.
But always give your vehicle a test drive before departing on a long haul so that all settings are adjusted accordingly in order to avoid potential problems while out on the open roads!
Stellan Carter is an accomplished writer, entrepreneur, and avid Ford Raptor owner. As a co-founder and content contributor for this renowned blog website, Stellan brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to the automotive industry. When he's not behind the wheel of his beloved Ford Raptor, Stellan can be found exploring new terrains, capturing the essence of his automotive adventures through his camera lens.
