First Time Towing Questions
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Junior Member
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 1
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From: Columbia, SC
First Time Towing Questions
I am going to be towing a 6X12 enclosed trailer in a couple weeks and have never pulled a trailer before so I have a few questions.
I have a 2000 F150 ext cab 5.4 w/auto and the towing package. The trailer will be loaded with less than 500lbs of equipment (8light weight racing wheelchairs, to big to put it all in the back of the truck), overall I would say that the total weight would not exceed 1500lbs. How fast can I drive without damaging my truck, the guy that usually pulls the trailer usually goes about 70-75 and I just want to be carefull. What things should I watch for while driving, temp, oil pressure, ??? Should I take it out of O/D or decide on the way the transmission shifts itself.
The trip will be approxamately 600 miles round trip with only a few slight uphills.
Thanks for your help,
Robyn
I have a 2000 F150 ext cab 5.4 w/auto and the towing package. The trailer will be loaded with less than 500lbs of equipment (8light weight racing wheelchairs, to big to put it all in the back of the truck), overall I would say that the total weight would not exceed 1500lbs. How fast can I drive without damaging my truck, the guy that usually pulls the trailer usually goes about 70-75 and I just want to be carefull. What things should I watch for while driving, temp, oil pressure, ??? Should I take it out of O/D or decide on the way the transmission shifts itself.
The trip will be approxamately 600 miles round trip with only a few slight uphills.
Thanks for your help,
Robyn
Senior Member
Joined: Feb 2000
Posts: 1,544
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From: Kalamazoo, MI, USA
No first-timer should be towing at 70-75 MPH. In Michigan, the Legal limit is 50 (yeah sure!) with a trailer.
Your rig is perfectly mated to that load, however -- so at least you've started with the proper set-up.
It would be nice to have brakes on the trailer -- and you will surely notice the 'push' when you brake, so please be sure to cut your speed in half (of what you'd normally be doing without the trailer) as you approach intersections.
1500# is the accepted max for non-braked trailers.
Your trailer does not have the frontal area to cause any concern with your setup.
It is important for you conciously avoid any quick movements of the steering wheel, as the whip of the trailer is delayed and can sneak up on you.
When backing, never steer unless you're moving, and you'll have the instinctive reaction to go where you want it to go (explaining this is difficult, but the notion is accurate).
I doubt if you'll see any movement off of normal for your temp gauge -- a big relief knowing that you're properly set up from the factory.
There should be no surprises -- you've got a fine towing rig. After about an hour or two, you'll probably forget that the trailer is on, which brings about another problem -- don't forget to leave extra room for turns and pulling out into traffic (I once forgot about the extra length and pulled out across traffic to the dismay and hand-signal of the oncoming car).
With that light a load, you may let the tranny decide (please post your gas mileage).
Enjoy your ride!
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Y2K™
XLT SC SB 5.4L 3.73LS
Your rig is perfectly mated to that load, however -- so at least you've started with the proper set-up.
It would be nice to have brakes on the trailer -- and you will surely notice the 'push' when you brake, so please be sure to cut your speed in half (of what you'd normally be doing without the trailer) as you approach intersections.
1500# is the accepted max for non-braked trailers.
Your trailer does not have the frontal area to cause any concern with your setup.
It is important for you conciously avoid any quick movements of the steering wheel, as the whip of the trailer is delayed and can sneak up on you.
When backing, never steer unless you're moving, and you'll have the instinctive reaction to go where you want it to go (explaining this is difficult, but the notion is accurate).
I doubt if you'll see any movement off of normal for your temp gauge -- a big relief knowing that you're properly set up from the factory.
There should be no surprises -- you've got a fine towing rig. After about an hour or two, you'll probably forget that the trailer is on, which brings about another problem -- don't forget to leave extra room for turns and pulling out into traffic (I once forgot about the extra length and pulled out across traffic to the dismay and hand-signal of the oncoming car).
With that light a load, you may let the tranny decide (please post your gas mileage).
Enjoy your ride!
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Y2K™
XLT SC SB 5.4L 3.73LS
Member
Joined: Feb 2000
Posts: 10
Likes: 0
From: Riverview Fl. USA
The problem with towing in overdrive is that if you slow up enough, when you are going up hills, the trans will downshift, and then upshift again when coming down the hill. This is what is bad for the trans. I compensate by accelerating coming downhill, to build up enough momentum to get me over the next hill without downshifting. This will let you tow in overdrive. With the load you are towing, I don't think this should even be a concern.
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2000SC, 5.4, 7700lb 3:73LS, Class III tow pkg., 4 wheel ABS, K&N, airbox mod, Load Lok bedliner, Magnaflow 3' single exhaust, Bugflector, Sportmaster Tonneau, Superchip, Viper alarm system, Whistler radar detector
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2000SC, 5.4, 7700lb 3:73LS, Class III tow pkg., 4 wheel ABS, K&N, airbox mod, Load Lok bedliner, Magnaflow 3' single exhaust, Bugflector, Sportmaster Tonneau, Superchip, Viper alarm system, Whistler radar detector
Senior Member
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 1,506
Likes: 0
From: Bakersfield, CA, USA
Avoid parking in a situation where you will have to back up to leave.
If you have to back the trailer up, many people prefer to put their hand on the bottom of the steering wheel and you move your hand the direction you want the trailer to go.
Adjust your schedule so you are not in a hurry, take your time and relax.
If you have to back the trailer up, many people prefer to put their hand on the bottom of the steering wheel and you move your hand the direction you want the trailer to go.
Adjust your schedule so you are not in a hurry, take your time and relax.
Senior Member
Joined: May 1999
Posts: 399
Likes: 0
From: Columbia Pa.
If the trailer is 6 ft. wide you might conside some sort of towing mirrors. There are 2 types that slip or clip over the truck mirrors. The ones I have are from JC Whitney.
I agree with Y2K about the tranny, if it seems to be downshifting alot then disable OD.
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GOLD RUSH
'99 F150 XLT SC SB 5.4x2 Harvest Gold
3.55 limited slip/ trailer towing package/slip on extender mirrors/powerstop brake controller/Covermaster 1000 topper with wing/BugflectorII/Ventvisors (front&rear)/3www.f150online.com decals/Ford Lumi Logo/Steelhorse Billet grill
firezapper@home.com
[This message has been edited by Firezap (edited 05-05-2000).]
I agree with Y2K about the tranny, if it seems to be downshifting alot then disable OD.
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GOLD RUSH
'99 F150 XLT SC SB 5.4x2 Harvest Gold
3.55 limited slip/ trailer towing package/slip on extender mirrors/powerstop brake controller/Covermaster 1000 topper with wing/BugflectorII/Ventvisors (front&rear)/3www.f150online.com decals/Ford Lumi Logo/Steelhorse Billet grill
firezapper@home.com
[This message has been edited by Firezap (edited 05-05-2000).]
Senior Member
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 1,628
Likes: 0
From: Clemson SC US of A
Your fine. That is a light load. Avoiding situations that require "backing up" is good advice. I tow a 4500 Pound TT at 60 MPH plus and I can assure you that you have plenty of truck to do it without worries. Relax and tow with OD on unless it is shifting a lot. Then drop it out of OD and do 55 for a while till everything levels out then go on back to OD and 65 or so. Allow extra distance between you and the vehicle in front for braking and you will be fine. Drive as fast as you feel comfortable with. Have your vehicles brakes checked before you leave and don't ride them too hard for too long on down hills.
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2000 F-250 Super Duty, SuperCab XLT, Oxford white with medium grey cloth captains chairs, 5.4L Triton V8 (260 HP version!), 4R100 4 Speed Automatic Transmission, 4 wheel ABS, Deluxe Aluminum Wheels, Trailer Towing Package, Class IV Hitch, Reece load distribution system, Escort Sensor II Electronic Brake controller, K&N filter, Sure Stop towing skirt, "Westin" black powder coated step bars, "White-White" head lamps, Herculiner bed liner, ISSPRO Tranny Temp Guage, Excursion center console.
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2000 F-250 Super Duty, SuperCab XLT, Oxford white with medium grey cloth captains chairs, 5.4L Triton V8 (260 HP version!), 4R100 4 Speed Automatic Transmission, 4 wheel ABS, Deluxe Aluminum Wheels, Trailer Towing Package, Class IV Hitch, Reece load distribution system, Escort Sensor II Electronic Brake controller, K&N filter, Sure Stop towing skirt, "Westin" black powder coated step bars, "White-White" head lamps, Herculiner bed liner, ISSPRO Tranny Temp Guage, Excursion center console.