2004 Ford F150 Towing Capacity with Charts

The 2004 Ford F150 offered an impressive towing capacity, boasting a conventional trailer towing and a fifth-wheel towing, both the highest in its class. This powerful pickup also brought with it new exterior styling and interior comfort and craftsmanship unseen on truck models before it.

If you are planning to buy the 2004 F150 soon, or already own it, you can read this detailed guide where we will discover the 2004 Ford F150 Towing Capacity with towing features including standard trailer sway control, available towing technology, and more.

In the 2004 Ford F150, you can tow a maximum weight ranging from 5,900 lbs to 10,000 lbs. However, to reach these capacities, you’ll need to have either the Trailer Tow Package or the Heavy-Duty Payload Package installed. If you don’t have these packages, the maximum weight your truck can tow is limited to 5,000 lbs.

2004 Ford F-150 towing capacity chart

2004 Ford F-150 trims 2004 Ford F150 towing capacity (lbs.)
Ford F-150 XL5,900 – 10,000
Ford F-150 STX5,900 – 7,100 lbs.
Ford F-150 XLT5,900 – 10,000 lbs.
Ford F-150 FX46,900 – 10,000 lbs.
Ford F-150 Lariat6,900 – 10,000 lbs.
The above-shown numbers are subject to change and are for reference purposes only.

The 2004 Ford F150 was renowned for its solid, durable frame, as well as its impressive towing capacity. This truck featured hydroformed and fully boxed construction with welded through-rail cross members for superior stability.

Furthermore, it was designed with driver and passenger safety in mind. It was equipped with powerful 4-wheel disc brakes that featured standard 4-wheel ABS and electronic brake-force distribution for better control under heavy braking. The combination of these features provided enhanced driving responsiveness and confidence in stopping power.

Other key features of the 2004 Ford F150

  • Redesigned Frame – F-150’s strongest frame ever is hydroformed and fully boxed with welded through-rail cross members to deliver superior handling, control, and responsiveness you can feel immediately. Upgraded
  • Suspension and Steering – All-new coil-over-shock front suspension, and rear 3″ wide leaf springs and outboard shocks create the F-150’s strongest, most advanced suspension ever. The first rack-and-pinion steering system ever used in an F-150 provides improved steering response and performance.
  • Upgraded Brakes – Larger, high-performance 4-wheel disc brakes with standard 4-wheel ABS and electronic brake-force distribution help provide responsive, confident stops and better control under heavy braking situations.
  • Roomier Cabs – Every new 2004 F-150 cab (Regular, SuperCab, and SuperCrew) has the best-in-class interior volume and four doors, providing enhanced passenger comfort and access. The cab on every Regular and SuperCab F-150 is six inches longer inside, without greatly increasing overall vehicle length.
  • Greater Cargo Volume – A 2-inch deeper box on every new F-150 increases cargo volume from 12% to 20%, making them the largest in their class.

2004 Ford F150 Engine Options

The 2004 Ford F150 was available with two powerful engines: a 4.6L Triton V8, and a 5.4L 3-Valve Triton V8.

The 4.6L engine featured a number of improvements for 2004, it produces 231 hp and 293 lb-ft of torque – with 90% available from 2,000 to 4,500 rpm.

The 5.4L V8 engine enables it to crank out 300 hp and 365 lb-ft of torque making it easier to pull heavy loads from a dead stop. More power 15% more than before delivers instant gratification when you accelerate, with best-in-class low-end torque. The 5.4 L Triton 3-valve V8 achieves 80% of peak torque at 1,000 RPMs.

ENGINEMAXIMUM POWERMAXIMUM TORQUE
4.6L Triton V8231 hp293 lb.-ft.
5.4L Triton V8300 hp365 lb.-ft.

The towing capacity of the 2004 Ford F150 ranges from 5,100 lbs to 10,000 lbs depending on the cab configuration, engine specification, axle ratio, drivetrain, and other modifications.

2004 Ford F150 Towing Capacity Chart based on Engine Types

ENGINEMAXIMUM TOWING CAPACITY
4.6L Triton V86,800 lbs
5.4L Triton V88,800 lbs

There are a total of two different charts for these model-year trucks and these were listed as a conventional chart, and a fifth-wheel chart.

When examining the charts, it becomes evident that the style of cab you selected for your truck holds significant importance. Another crucial aspect is whether your truck was equipped with a two-wheel drive system or a four-wheel drive system. Additionally, the length of your truck’s wheelbase plays a vital role in understanding its characteristics.

If we shift our attention to the left-hand side of the table, we can observe details pertaining to the two distinct engine options available for your truck. These engines are central to the performance and capabilities of your vehicle. Moreover, the axle ratios listed in the table provide insight into how power is distributed to the wheels, influencing factors such as towing capacity and fuel efficiency.

Lastly, the gross combined weight ratings (GCWR) represent the maximum weight your truck can safely carry when considering both its own mass and any attached trailers or cargo. Understanding these metrics is essential for making informed decisions about your truck’s configuration and capabilities.

Now, let’s explore all the towing charts of the 2004 Ford F150 with engine configuration, drivetrain, axle ratio, and wheelbase.

2004 Ford F150 Conventional Towing Capacity

In 2002, Ford provided a range of choices for their F150 Pickup trucks, offering versatility to suit different preferences and needs. These options included the Regular Cab, Super Cab, and Supercrew configurations, and they were all available with either 4×2 or 4×4 drive capabilities. This diverse selection allowed buyers to pick a truck that matched their specific requirements, whether it was for personal use, work, or family transportation.

However, when it came to towing capacity, it was not a one-size-fits-all scenario. The 2002 F150’s towing capabilities varied significantly based on several crucial factors. Firstly, the type of vehicle configuration you opted for played a key role. The weight and size of the cab and bed influenced how much the truck could safely tow.

The engine type was another important determinant. Different engine options had varying power and torque outputs, directly impacting the F150’s towing capacity. Additionally, the choice of axle ratio and wheelbase length further influenced the truck’s towing capabilities. A truck with a longer wheelbase and a specific axle ratio might be better suited for towing heavier loads compared to one with different specifications.

Regular Cab 4×2 Chart

Maximum Loaded Trailer Weight (Lbs.) – Automatic Transmission
Engine Axle RatioGCWR (lbs.)WheelbaseMax. Towing Capacity (Lbs.)
4.6L SEFI V83.5511,500126.0″6,500
11,700144.5″ 6,600
3.7312,000126.0″7,000
12,200144.5″7,100
5.4L SEFI V8 3.3112,000126.0″6,900
12,500144.5″7,300
3.5513,000126.0″7,900
14,000144.5″8,800
3.7313,500126.0″8,400
15,000144.5″9,800
4.1015,300144.5″9,900

Regular Cab 4×4 Chart

Maximum Loaded Trailer Weight (Lbs.) – Automatic Transmission
Engine Axle RatioGCWR (lbs.)WheelbaseMax. Towing Capacity (Lbs.)
4.6L SEFI V83.5511,500126.0″6,200
11,700144.5″ 6,300
3.7312,000126.0″6,700
12,200144.5″6,800
5.4L SEFI V8 3.5513,000126.0″7,700
14,000144.5″8,500
3.7313,500126.0″8,200
15,000144.5″9,500
4.1015,300144.5″9,500

SuperCab 4×2 Chart

Maximum Loaded Trailer Weight (Lbs.) – Automatic Transmission
Engine Axle RatioGCWR (lbs.)WheelbaseMax. Towing Capacity (Lbs.)
4.6L SEFI V8 3.5511,500132.5″6,300
11,700144.5″ 6,300
3.7312,000132.5″6,800
12,200144.5″ 6,800
5.4L SEFI V83.5513,000132.5″7,600
14,000144.5″ 8,500
3.7313,500132.5″8,100
15,000144.5″ 9,500
4.1015,300163.0″9,500

SuperCab 4×4 Chart

Maximum Loaded Trailer Weight (Lbs.) – Automatic Transmission
Engine Axle RatioGCWR (lbs.)WheelbaseMax. Towing Capacity (Lbs.)
4.6L SEFI V8 3.5511,500132.5″5,900
11,700144.5″ 6,000
3.7312,000132.5″6,400
12,200144.5″ 6,500
5.4L SEFI V83.5513,000132.5″7,300
14,000144.5″ 8,300
3.7313,500132.5″7,800
15,000144.5″ 9,300
4.1015,300163.0″9,200

SuperCrew 4×2 Chart

Maximum Loaded Trailer Weight (Lbs.) – Automatic Transmission
Engine Axle RatioGCWR (lbs.)WheelbaseMax. Towing Capacity (Lbs.)
4.6L SEFI V83.5511,700138.5″ 6,200
3.7312,200138.5″ 6,700
5.4L SEFI V83.5514,000138.5″8,500
3.7315,000138.5″9,500

SuperCrew 4×4 Chart

Maximum Loaded Trailer Weight (Lbs.) – Automatic Transmission
Engine Axle RatioGCWR (lbs.)WheelbaseMax. Towing Capacity (Lbs.)
4.6L SEFI V83.7312,200138.5″ 6,500
5.4L SEFI V83.5514,000138.5″8,200
3.7315,000138.5″9,200

2004 Ford F150 Fifth Wheel Towing Capacity 

Regular Cab 

Maximum Loaded Trailer Weight (Lbs.) – Automatic Transmission
Engine Axle RatioGCWR (lbs.)WheelbaseDrive Type 
4×24×4
4.6L SEFI V83.5511,500126.0″6,5006,200
11,700144.5″6,6006,300
3.7312,000126.0″7,0006,700
12,200144.5″7,1006,800

5.4L SEFI V8
3.3112,000126.0″6,900
12,500144.5″7,300
3.5513,000126.0″7,9007,700
14,000144.5″8,8008,500
3.7313,500126.0″8,4008,200
15,000144.5″9,8009,500
4.1015,300144.5″10,0009,600

SuperCab 

Maximum Loaded Trailer Weight (Lbs.) – Automatic Transmission
Engine Axle RatioGCWR (lbs.)WheelbaseDrive Type 
4×24×4
4.6L SEFI V83.5511,700144.5″6,4006,100
3.7312,200144.5″6,9006,600
5.4L SEFI V83.5514,000144.5″8,5008,300
3.7315,000144.5″9,5009,300
4.1015,300163.0″ 9,6009,200

Rear Step Bumper Towing VS. Hitch Receiver Towing

When it comes to towing with the Ford F150, you’ll need some form of hitch. The F150 offers the option of bumper towing, which means you can attach a ball hitch to the bumper itself, without the need for a full hitch receiver installation.

However, if you’re towing conventionally without a weight-distributing trailer hitch, there’s a limit: your towing capacity can’t go beyond 5,000 lbs, and the weight on the ball hitch cannot exceed 500 lbs. This essentially means that you should aim for a 10% tongue weight for all trailers.

For anything over 5,000 lbs in towing capacity, you must use a weight-distributing trailer hitch with a properly installed hitch receiver. This ensures safe and balanced towing for heavier loads.

Ford Rear Step Bumper/Hitch Receiver Weight CapacityMax. Tongue Weight (lbs.)
Weight-Carrying Capacity (lbs.)5,000500
Weight-Distributing Capacity (lbs.)9,900990

Frontal Area Considerations

The frontal area refers to the combined surface area, measured in square feet, that a moving vehicle and its attached trailer present to air resistance. The chart provides essential guidelines to keep in mind when choosing a vehicle-trailer combination. Going beyond these limits can notably diminish your towing vehicle’s performance.

F150Base Vehicle Frontal AreaWithout Trailer Tow Pkg. or Heavy Duty Payload Pkg.
60 sq. ft. With Trailer Tow Pkg. or Heavy Duty Payload Pkg.

Conclusion

We are at the end of this blog in which we explored the 2004 Ford F150 Towing Capacity with conventional towing, 5th wheel towing, towing charts, and other essential towing information.

The 2004 Ford F150 is capable of towing up to 10,000 lbs when equipped with the available maximum trailer tow package and powered by a 5.4L Triton V8 engine. This powerful Triton engine delivers a maximum power of 300 hp, and a peak torque of 365 lb.-ft.

The F150 also includes an upgraded rear bumper to support its Built Ford Tough credentials for towing and hauling.

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!

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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.

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