I will be moving to Arizona from New Hampshire on August 1st. Will be towing a 7 x 16 enclosed cargo trailer with my 2004 XLT SCAB long bed with heavy duty and tow packages, 5.4, and 4.10 LS gearing. I installed the Superchips 1714 towing tune and have a Scan Guage installed. Also have the Prodigy brake controller installed. Will update with mileage and handling while towing when I get to the Phoenix area.

Jack

 

Good luck on your move.

I noticed that your truck has the plow package, not going to be much use for it in Arizona.

 

Thats quite a change in scenery, good luck...and make sure your air conditioner is charged...

 

That tow will be a piece of cake.. wont even know its there.

 

Have a safe trip, sounds like it's going to be fun. A few weeks ago I towed a 21 ft camper that I rented and it towed just fine. Kept the overdrive off the whole time. It was a short trip, around 150 miles but I was very pleased.

 

I towed 4 sport motorcycles (2 (R1), 1 (1000RR), 1 (GSXR1000)) from Salt Lake City, UT to Monterey, CA on a 6 x 17 open trailer. I did go thru gas when I was climbing the mountains. But other then the large amounts for gas it went just fine.

The AC will be the one thing I would make sure it working and stay on top of the tire pressure.

The overdrive part.... I had overdrive on from time to time but never when climbing. When you are in the great flat rolling midwest states you might be ok to have it on as long as it is not searching all the time for a new gear.

Edit: trip towing was about 1800 miles

 

Plow package was on the truck when i bought it. The only thing it has is heavier duty springs in the front end to support the weight of a plow. Probably going to take 5 or 6 days for the trip and enjoy the sights along the way. Thanks for all the good comments and advice.

Jack

 

Made it to Phoenix area with no problems. Total trip, with detours to visit friends, was 2,722 miles. Averaged 12 mpg for the trip. Trailer with cargo was just shy of 5,000 lbs. Ran most hills and grades at 60+ mph. No trouble keeping up with or passing other vehcles. Worst part of the trip was coming up the grade from Camp Verde, AZ to Phoenix. Couldn't go much more than 35 mph. Scan gauge was great for monitoring water temp -- usually at 197 and climbed to 205 on some of the long uphill portions of the trip. Overall it was an excellent handling truck and trailer combination.

Jack