I am sure there are 10,000 towing threads on here so whats one more, I don't want to search through them all. I have a 2008 F150 Lariet, it will have super chips tuner set to tow mode, SI/DO MBRP Exaust and the Gotts intake mod. Question is I have a need to tow a Dodge/Chysler minivan (1996) across Country from TN-Washing State. I am going to do my best to avoid the pass in Co. Estimated weight of Van 3K maybe 4K Loaded, truck will be loaded also with some household goods, tools, a few guns, probably my Son, of course myself and maybe a dog. So call it 1000lbs. Trailer weight probably 1000lb maybe heavier. This is not my first time towing anything but it will be first with this truck

Question arising from this. Is there anything I should add to the truck before making this trip? I should add I have a brake controller, and factory Tranny cooler. Should I consider deeper tranny, oil pans, and maybe rear diff cover? Should I add an after market oil cooler, in line type, to the oil or an additional to the tranny? Do you thing I will be ok as is?

 

If this works out ok I may have another rig to tow, even further, from coast to coast actually. A Chevy Tahoe from VA to WA

 

Just hook up the trailer and go. That is nothing for it.

 

this is what I figured just remember my last towing trip with a gasser, it was older and a Chevy so that says it all, but towing a jeep on an aluminum trailer that truck had a hard time

 

You won't have much issue, regardless of what route you take. It would be nice if you at least had surge brakes, but I've towed a few cars/trucks on flatbeds through several states and didn't have so much as a hiccup from the truck despite not having trailer brakes. The truck is rated to tow well over 7K lbs, which you won't be touching.

 

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Maybe I wasn't clear in my original post. I have a Prodigy P3 Brake controller installed already and the Factory Trans Cooler.


Should I look into an additional inline type Trans Cooler? How about Oil? and High capacity rear diff cover, maybe aluminum to dissipate heat faster?

As for weight I will get exact weights when I can, I am in Korea for a few more months. I though about a WD Hitch too. Had one I should have kept. Oh well

 

So I'm looking at WD Hitches and Curt 70001 and 70002 and same price only difference is the 01 is 8000/800 and the 02 is 10000/1000. Would there be any reason not to go with the higher rated hitch even though I will not be hauling that much EVER with the Ford?

 

No stress.. hook up and go!
no need for any addition cooler or anything.
You already have all that is necessary.

I have a 750lbs WD hitch to tow my 7000lbs toy hauler and it's enough....1000lbs would have been better though.

 

Agreed, no need for an additional tranny cooler or even a WD hitch unless you really want one. They are nice, but a 5Klbs load should only have 500lbs of tongue weight or so, it won't be anything I'd worry about a WD hitch on. Should you really want to get a WD-hitch, the higher rating is better, as you can always reduce the "assistance" of the unit, but you can't easily increase it's effectiveness. If the trailer has electric brakes, then you're set.

 

I typed wrong part Numbers
17001- http://www.curtmfg.com/part/17001
17002- http://www.curtmfg.com/part/17002

 

WD is required if the trailer is over 5k or the tongue weight is over 500.

 

Did the truck come with a factory tow package? What gears in the rear end? Single row or dual row radiator? Does it have the small factory trans cooler or the larger tow package trans cooler? These are the questions I would be asking.

 

Yes factory tow PKG
I don't know gear ratio for rear
has the Large Tranny Cooler up front of Radiator, it freaking huge
has a dual row Radiator

After Market
Has Prodigy P3
Will Have Super Chips Flash Paq tune
Will have Gotts intake Mod
Will have SI/DO MBRP Exaust
Will have level kit (though I may hold off so she tows more level)
All these parts are in my garage I just need to get home to do the work

Going to schedule
full services oil, air, fuel, tranny and diffs I will probably do myself

if I rent a uhaul trailer brake controller won't matter they use surge brakes
I am lookin at a WD hitch but again with UHaul you can't use it so may save my $.

So that where I stand as of now, hope this all helps.

 

The tow package comes with the 3.73 gears I think, you should not have any worries. I use the Prodigy too, works great.

 

Hold off on the level kit.

What's the AXLE code on the door jamb sticker?