I have an F-150 4X4 with manual transmission and 4.6L Triton V8 that Ford rates at 2900lbs towing capacity. They rate the same truck with Auto transmission
at 6000 lbs towing capacity. I cannot believe that there can be this much difference between manual and auto transmissions. Anyways, I need to pull a 5000-6000lbs boat for about 1 mile on the flat ground (highway) and then 500 yards up the hill (driveway) twice a year.
I want to know if anyone knows or had experience towing with manual transmission and smaller V8 motor? Do I really need to go out and get a bigger truck to tow this boat 1 mile twice a year
No. You just need to go out and get a similar truck with an automatic transmission. Ford probably advises this in the interest of clutch life. It takes a lot more slip in the clutch to move twice the weight. Truth be known, you can try it if you want, and you probably won’t hurt the truck given the small amount of towing you are doing with it, but take with you the caveat that you are going against what the owner’s manual advises you to do, and if you tear something up, it’s your own fault.
I actually did a search on this before I replied because I thought there was some kind of mistake or misunderstanding, but they actually do list very light towing capacity for manual transmission F150s. I was surprised also.
If this is the extent of your towing I’d go ahead and tow the boat. On the boat ramp and your up hill driveway put the truck in 4WD low. This will reduce the work on the clutch.
Towing with manual transmission vehicles is generally not recommended. If you notice the clutch slipping then you’ll know why.