Recently moved and used a friend's 21ft enclosed trailer to transport all my things. I estimate the trailer loaded weighed around 5000lbs and I did pull through the mountains of VA and WVA through some pretty steep grades. I used an electricon brake controller and I will say that the truck handled the load pretty well. The truck was smooth, stable and handled the grades well.

My only complaint was that the truck needed more power, I had it floored on inclines just to keep up speed. There were several times that the max speed I could hit uphill was 65mph. This truck desperately needs another gear, I was consistantly pushing 3500-4000rpms in 3rd and OD was useless, its like I was missing a gear. Honestly the truck needs more pulling power and a better suited trans. THe chasis, frame, brakes, etc are suited for heavy loads, now if the powertrain could match we'd be straight. Anyway here are some pics.

 

Why WOT uphill, just slow down speedracer. It sounds like you were trying to keep up with a diesel.

 

Sounds like he was trying to kill the poor truck. I know of some 18-wheelers that can't run 65 mph will pulling up an incline like that. Thats crazy.

 

There were many times I had to go WOT to maintain 50-55mph, its a two lane highway and truckers dont like when you slow them up that much, hell they could get caught up doing 35mph or less if you let them lose momentum. I refuse to be passed by a semi, thats just embarassing :o

 

Why, if your pulling a load like that going uphill you wont be passed nor laughed at by a loaded semi going up the same hill. I promise. Like I said earlier "Poor Truck."

 

Maybe it's time to check out an F-250.

 

Im well under the "max" tow weight so Im confused why the "Poor truck" comments. Excuse me for using a truck like a truck.

As for the F250, you may be right, but like I said I feel that the truck can handle the weight, its just a shame thats its limited by an underpowered engine. Throw in a more powerful V8 or small deisel and it would be killer.

 

Well the problem is this thing called gravity. Yes its true that 5000 lbs is under the payload of the truck sitting level. But one must remember that payload weight is calculated in first gear. (the gear required to get the weight moving). So sitting level the truck only has the weight of the tongue pressing on it and is only having to pull 5000 lbs of weight upon start up which first gear has plenty of power to do so. Once the trailer is up to speed, due to kenetic energy the truck only has to pull about 20% of the weight in order to maintain the speed of the trailor. And OD is fully capable of pulling that. When one goes up a hill, gravity applies a force to the front of the trailer causing a sever decrease in kenetic energy causing the truck to pull more of the weight of the trailer (DUH). It also puts more weight on the tongue. This extra weight on the tongue can go over the payload weight and the weight of the trailor can go over the weight of what OD and third gear is rated for. Therefore the fact that the truck could have been over max payload and max tow weight for that gear and the fact that you were at wide open throttle (the truck was probably lugging its butt off) is making me say poor truck. Not to mention the fact that it was doing all of this at 65mph. Someone may need to correct me if I am wrong but I thought the max weights are rated below 55mph

 

I pulled an 8K pound trailer of equal size not too long ago and had not isse. truck would accelerate nicely at 70 mph. Pulled up hills nicely. I had no grades higher than 5% but it pulled those at highway speeds w/o issue. I had o/d turned off. Do you have teh 3.55 gears or the 3.73? I am guessing you have the 5.4

 

I have the 5.4 with 3.73's, payload of 8100lbs. Max grade was 7%, but mostly 5%.

 

Dang. My dad and I were planning to pull his Wrangler (on a trailer) to Moab, UT this fall for a Jeep Jamboree with my truck. Silver has me worried about the Colorado terrain, now.

 

Forget everyone else. They're just mad because they hot-rod their trucks and never use the beds. Be proud, you did it and you made it.

 

silverbullet, I couldn't agree more...these religious oval guys don't care what ford packs into the F150's...whatever they paid for must be the best.

There are many 1/2 tons that can outpull us so thanks for sharing your complaints, maybe Ford will fix it before it's time for me to get a new truck. Unless there is a huge change in the F150's (powertrain) I'm not coming back...and I probably won't be looking back either. Sure the interior is fantastic but as it wears off I find myself in envy of a diesel and a ton more power. Maybe I'm getting to used to the lack of lowend, gears might do the trick but are sure to kill my highway mileage. I'm less than happy with the way the 5.4 has responded to boltons so if you are looking for any decent results, forced induction is the only way to go.

Speaking of mileage, the only reason I get fantastic mileage is by allowing truckers to pass. I dont think you should pay extra to keep up the F-150's name...I made that mistake 10-fold in modding this 5.4 3v slug. I would have been able to live with a 4 speed tranny and a beefier engine, or this engine and a 5 speed...but they had to give us the double reacharound.

What are your mods atm? Way to keep your composure btw, this forum is full of lamers ready to attack the disappointed.

 

Shouldn't have much to worry about. I pulled my brothers Dakota 4 door 4x4 on a 20' trailer all the way from Hurricane rittled coastal Mississippi to Missouri with no problems what so ever. Aside from the nose being a few inches higher she pulled fine.

 

why am i surprised?



just kidding man...but seriously, if you are that disappointed, why don't you buy one you like? i lost a little cash getting rid of my avalanche because i was disappointed in the performance with the vortec engine and gearing, but now i'm happy with my ford and i won't miss that little bit i lost

life is short, i'd rather spend time enjoying it than cussing my pickup