I have a bit of a problem. I've got a 98 F150 with a 4.6 V8. I need to tow a 7000 lb. trailer and I don't have a transmission cooler. I got one from ETrailer.com, a hidden hitch model but it looks small, 7"X11". Anyone have any sugestions? Should I get a better one or maybe have a Ford dealer install a Ford product? I'd appreciate any advice.
Regards, Nial
That sounds like a lot of trailer for the truck. Hope it's not too far. Do you have a standard cab 4x2 auto w/3.55 gears? if so 7000 is still pushing the limit.
But for what it's worth my 97 5.4 w/ e4od has the tow package and the factory cooler is only 5" x 11".
If that 7"x11" cooler is a "plate" type and NOT just the "line" type, then it's better then the same size in a "line" type design.
What's the GCWR for the cooler? (meaning, how much is it 'rated' to be able to handle - 15k, 20k, 25k, etc....)
Now, those ratings only apply IF your vehicle can handle that kind of weight.....
What rear end gear do you have? 4x2 or 4x4? any engine mods? What kind of trailer is it?
Since you asked for "any advice"................ IMO, any #7000 trailer is going to really put a strain on your F150, regardless of the tranny cooler size.
There are a ton of weight ratings and other factors to consider as well.
In my case, my travel trailer only weighs #4500 and it puts my truck at it's max GVWR of #6250. Sure, it can tow more, but it would put me over my rating and I don't think I would like the performance or durability of my truck if I did.
I did just have to replace my rear U joint too. It had 100k miles on it, but it was nice and tight BEFORE I started towing my trailer about 9 months ago.... Coincidence??? Maybe..... I installed a tranny temp and water temp gauge too. So far my factory cooler is holding it's own (keeps my tranny at ~ 150* while towing on the highway), but we'll see what happens with summer time temps!
Don't mean to scare you or say "you can't tow that", but some more info will help.
Sorry I didn't reply sooner, computer trouble. The truck is a short bed STX with a 4.6 V8 and a 3.55 rear. No tow package so I installed a class 111 hitch and a 7 pin connection. The trailer is a double axle boat job with electric brakes. Total load is 7000 lbs. I've pulled it before with a rented Chevy "2500" ???. I have the brake control setup and that worked flawlessly. I only have to tow the boat at most 50 miles or so from Philadelphia to the Jersey shore. All flat going except for a few bridges and I can do it at the coolest part of the day. Also have load equalizing bars on the hitch and they work very well too. The cooler I bought is a plate type but I'm sending it back to exchange for a bigger one. I know I'll be pushing the limits on the truck's power but it is rated to pull 7200 lbs. Am I being unrealistic? If I take it slow will I still rip the guts out of it? All replies welcome
Regards, Nial
You should be ok... By this I mean, it'll tow it and the distance is not far, but if you are going to be doing it every weekend or even once a month, then you might want to consider the additional upgrades that hapynzap suggested.
You have to remember that the "#7200 max tow weight" is based off of a striped down (zero options), zero payload (no additional stuff or beer!!) single #150 driver and maybe a little gas in the tank (not full!) truck....... For every pound you are over your trucks rated "curb weight", you need to subtract a pound from that max tow weight......
Boat trailers do not have much tongue weight by design, but it's the GCW that you will probably be over.
Consider the boat ramp too...... You didn't say if you have 4x4 or not, but if you do, it'll be alot easier to tug that thing out of the water if you put it in 4-LO. If it's only 4x2, then you are stuck with what you got. Hopefully, the ramp is not too steep and is not too 'slick'.
Good luck. Sounds like a lot of fun. I always loved boats! Is it a ski boat by chance?? Those are my favorites!
OK this topic is one that is really very important although the truck is rated to tow 7200lbs that wieght like Mitch150 pointed is to include gas, beer, people and all your gear so if the boat and trailer wigh in at 700lbs I would venture to say that once you add gas beer gear and poeople to your truck you are over the rating by a substantial amount and although the truck may tow it how safe is it really you need to understand that the truck is rated for a certain amount for a reason and that reason is safety and for the way it will wear and tear on the truck and when you load a truck to its max and then some you will be putting an over amount of stress on every drive train componet you have from engine trans to brakes etc.. You said you once used a Ch*** 2500 this truck is more suited to tow thw boat you are speaking of I am guesssing that this is some type of large fishing boat at that weight and I suggest tyhat you get your self a F250 that is better epuiped to handle such a task. This is strictly my opinion but considering that I have been towing boats since about 1987 and have towed everything from 17' aluminum boats to 20" Cuddy cabin Fishing boats which I used a 88 F150 to tow with and it was not enough in my opinion. I currently tow a 22 Wakeboard boat with my F150 but since it does not wigh that much my truck tows it very well total for my rig is right about 4500lbs total.
My truck is two wheel drive but has wide tires. The boat is a 20 ft. Pacific Seacraft sailboat with an inboard diesel. It weighs around 5500 lbs. Add 1500 lbs. for the trailer and it's up to 7k lbs. I'll only tow the boat two times a year and it will be launched by travel-lift. No ramp launching or recovery. I'm hoping to sail down to the Bahamas to spend next winter. So if I pull it down to the New Jersey shore and launch there I can pull the trailer back home and leave it until next year. I could rent a truck like I did last time but that means rewiring it for the brake control unit and then removing all trace of having cut into the wiring before returning it. A real pain in the ass. I can't afford a bigger truck, all my money is tied up in sailing gear. I absolutely love the truck I've got. It's the nicest ride I've ever owned and I'm 62 years old. I don't want to destroy it. Incidently the trailer electric brakes remove all all extra work from the truck brakes. You can set them to engage at the same time, or just ahead, of the truck brakes. In fact it feels as if the trailer is slowing the truck as soon as you touch the brake pedal. Thanks for all the thoughts.
Regards, Nial
OK then if you are only towing the sail boat roughly twice a year then I would say you will be fine and I would not worry about it then and since th boat trailer and all total 700k I think you will be fine.
Considering your specific case and all, like Richard said, you should do ok. Just put that cooler in and take it easy. Sounds like a nice boat. Enjoy!
Richard,
You've got a nice boat too! It's been way too long since I've done any skiing. I've retired my ski and I'm just a "land lubber" doing the RV thing now.......
Richard, You've got a nice boat too! It's been way too long since I've done any skiing. I've retired my ski and I'm just a "land lubber" doing the RV thing now.......
Thanks even though that picture is not a very good one. I myself DO NO T wakeboard due to a disability hopwever the wife and kids get to and I just enjoy being out on the water and watching and teaching them.
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