Anyone done any 7,500-8,500+ lb towing yet?? Curious to see if you had any inputs on the capabilities and how the tranny performed. Looking at the trucks, it seems like that tranny cooler is a little small compared to the '08's, but yes, I know it's a completely different tranny. How did the tranny temp gauge respond? Does it actually indicate temps, or is it like the coolant gauge and gets to one spot and just sits there?

 

I've only pulled my boat so far but should have about 8k lbs this weekend and will let you know.

I'm pretty sure the tranny temp gauge is just a warning light in the form of a gauge....

 

I tow a 8000+lb trailer day in day out and so far so good. I got the platinum with the 3.55ls. Im not sure about the tranny temp gauge because i guess it wont go up in temp from just towing 8000lb but what i do know is when it's cold here the temp gauge stays low and builds up slowly to normal over about 20 mins but whens it a bit warmer out it builds to normal in about 5 mins. So it does to to vary with temp and not just sit in one place.

The only issue i have noticed with the truck and towing on a flat road is i have to stamp on the gas then let of straight after to get it to drop down a few gears to pass other vehicles, but it don't hang about when it drops. I also have only tryed the tow/haul mode once just to see how it works and i could see it being useful for heavy loads but for me the truck choosing gears just fine. Have used it on a few step inclines around the mountains here and has impressed me so far. The revs 90% of the time sit right in 1-2k for normal towing and the torque in that range seems to be so good that it don't need to search for gears. Overall it's doing well and the brake controller is working extremely well and so easy to set up.

 

You should have gone with the 3.73 gears for that. That would have fixed all those gear searching issues and standing on the gas. Doesn't sound like much, but you'd be surprised how huge of a difference in performance there is between 3.55 vs 3.73.

 

I did pick the 3.73 gears at first but looked into the gearing as i didn't want the massive mirrors and i wanted power fold. Joined a towing forum and it seemed that the 3.55's with the new 6 speed would be fine for around the 8000lb mark as i wanted better MPG also. Our F150's at the office have the 3.73's and they still do the same changing up and down gears on flat land but when towing up hills i don't have to press the accelerator down as far before it changes down. Minor issues yes but i heard that both issues can be solved with a transmission tune. Wont do that for a while yet as i really cant notice when it does change up and down. The thing is so dam quite.

 

Was hoping you guys could help me out since you've been towing and I'm about ready to:

I have a 2009 f150 xlt. Was trying to figure out where the trailer brake adapter is to install my brake box, but I can't find it. Looked under the dash where the instructions said it would be, but no luck. Every other truck I've had usually has it in a similar location, too.

Went to 2 dealers, but they haven't done any '09's yet, so they weren't very helpful.


Does anyone know where the adapter is located so that I can plug it in and connect the brake box?

Thanks

ferris11@hotmail.com

 

...sorta. I looked a long hard while for that plug and couldn't find it. My son took it to a buddy(a Ford master tech) who found it right away! Kinda pissed me off. Anyway, My son told me the connector is plugged into the back of the cubby where the factory brake controller would otherwise go. Makes sense, location wise. I never was able to eye-ball that spot. I suppose the center console didn't help. I hope this helps save someone else some time.

 

Thanks. I'll have to dig around for it this weekend in that spot. Do you know if the cubby comes out from the front or if you have to remove it from the back? I'd think it's from the back, but they sure didn't make it easy for us.

 

What do you guys think:

I have the XLT with trailer tow package (not the maximum tow package). I will be having the dealer install a brake controller.

I plan to tow 5 sleds with 5 male adults and snowmobile gear in truck. Do you think this is recommended?

 

That'll be a load. I'm betting after you tally up the numbers, you may be squatting (or close) and will be over you payload.

 

What's the total weight of the trailer loaded with the sleds? The vehicle guide that comes with the truck tells you the maximum towing capacity, depending on the configuration (crew cab, rear gear, etc). Although you never want to tow to the maximum that it claims it can tow, you can get a good idea of where you should be.
If you're a big heavy, a distribution hitch and anti-sway device go a long way to helping you control the trailer.

 

x2, If you tow a lot the 3.73 is the way to go.