Greetings all,
I own a 07 F150 Crew Cab King Ranch 5.4L 4X4 with 28K miles on it.
I am looking for some help or any suggestion you guys might have, this will be my first cross country drive and will be happening at the end of December. I will be driving from North Carolina to Seattle, WA just little over 3000 miles one way. On the way up I won't be pulling anything but on the way back I will be pulling one of the U-Haul trailers most likely it will be a 5 X 10 or 6 X 12 size trailer and will be loaded with regular house hold stuff.
My question is should I make any changes on the truck like using a different transmission coolant or anything in that line?
Since I am not familiar with the road conditions between NC to WA, any other suggestion anyone might have would be appreciated since it will be close to winter season.
Thank you.

 

You can pull a 6x12 and barely know it's back there. Keep the speed down to 65 mph max. When you get back, go have the tranny fluid completely changed with an exchange machine and change your oil. Only use overdrive on level terrain, if you feel the torque converter locking and unlocking and/or it hunts between 3rd and OD, lock it out.

Watch the weather reports carefully - you WILL have to go through mountains and I absolutely hate trying to tow in the snow.

 

Thanks Glc,
Appreciated the tips, will follow your recommendation.

 

um, i didnt realize ford made a 'king range'. I knew about the King ranCH lol.

 

I was thinking the same thing.

 

lol, you are right.
I guess I was thinking about food when I was typing :P thanks

 

lol its all good!

 

be absolutely sure that uhaul has good tires on that trailer. not sure if they even provide you with a spare tire on their rental trailers. nothing worse than being stranded on the side of the road with a blown out trailer tire. if you have AAA, call them up and add trailer/rv coverage. its like 20 bucks more but itll cover the trailer as well.

 

Yea, those U-Haul box trailers are breeze to tow. I towed one fully loaded from MD to FL ~ 1000 miles and my truck doesn't have near the power yours does. My trip was all flat and on I-95 though, so that helped. As others have mentioned, keep the O\D off if the tranny starts hunting and do the maintenance on your truck when you get back and safe journeys.

Edit: And I thought that U-Haul covers you for any repairs or road side assistance you may need on your trip? I was given their 1-800 # to call in case of any emergencies when I did my trip.

 

They do! I pulled a 6x12 from FL to MS 600 miles, and never had too turn O/D off. You'll receive all the info for roadside assistance when they hook the trailer up for you.

 

Cool, I thought I remember them going over that with me as well. It was a few years ago. But yea, that thing towed great and I had it COMPLETELY packed up, could barely shut the door. I was able to keep O\D on as well, hell, I even used the cruise control the majority of the time.

 

towing will be fine.....in Washington at that time of year you will be better coming over I-90 and Snoqualmie pass vs Stevens....gradual grade over Snoqualmie with better passing lanes....Stevens is just one big *** hill

 

oh ok good...wasnt sure if uhaul covered the trailers like that....i havent rented one of those in a few years. other than that itll be an easy tow!