towing w/bumper or hitch
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Junior Member
Joined: Dec 1999
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towing w/bumper or hitch
I have to tow a car(+trailer) this weekend(4500lbs). I have two options. One is to take my sister's old 84' F250(5.8L), and the other is to rent a 99' F150 XL(4.6L).
The dilemma: The rental truck only has the factory bumper(5000lbs/500lb) and a 4-flat connector. The trailer has electric brakes. Would I be pushing the limits of the bumper and truck to tow that much? The owners manual says it can pull a 5500lb. trailer, and the bumper is rated for class I,II, or III. The manual indicates that the braking system can handle that? Will I get pulled over for NOT having the brakes hooked up?
On the other hand, the 84' has a class IV hitch and full towing package. However, it's not in the best of shape and we have not had it long enough(3 months) to really test it out.
Should I take chance it with the old truck(NC to NY) or give the rental truck a workout? And if anyone wants to let me borrow their truck for the weekend, that would be okay with me
I also wonder about the transmission. The truck *appears* to have a 3-speed automatic(It's loud in the cab and if there is a 4th gear, I don't hear or feel it). Can I just leave it in DRIVE to tow since it doesn't have overdrive?
And while I am here, is there anything that will prohibit me from taking any of the roads in NY and NY? Someone told me the Garden State Parkway was off-limits to certain vehicles. Am I a 'certain' vehicle? Do I have to stop at weight stations for inspections, and pay additional tolls for having a trailer? I hate to ask so many questions, but I've never towed out of state before, and want to avoid any surprises. Thanks.
The dilemma: The rental truck only has the factory bumper(5000lbs/500lb) and a 4-flat connector. The trailer has electric brakes. Would I be pushing the limits of the bumper and truck to tow that much? The owners manual says it can pull a 5500lb. trailer, and the bumper is rated for class I,II, or III. The manual indicates that the braking system can handle that? Will I get pulled over for NOT having the brakes hooked up?
On the other hand, the 84' has a class IV hitch and full towing package. However, it's not in the best of shape and we have not had it long enough(3 months) to really test it out.
Should I take chance it with the old truck(NC to NY) or give the rental truck a workout? And if anyone wants to let me borrow their truck for the weekend, that would be okay with me
I also wonder about the transmission. The truck *appears* to have a 3-speed automatic(It's loud in the cab and if there is a 4th gear, I don't hear or feel it). Can I just leave it in DRIVE to tow since it doesn't have overdrive?
And while I am here, is there anything that will prohibit me from taking any of the roads in NY and NY? Someone told me the Garden State Parkway was off-limits to certain vehicles. Am I a 'certain' vehicle? Do I have to stop at weight stations for inspections, and pay additional tolls for having a trailer? I hate to ask so many questions, but I've never towed out of state before, and want to avoid any surprises. Thanks.
Senior Member
Joined: May 1999
Posts: 378
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From: Bradenton, Fl. USA
DO NOT TOW THAT MUCH WEIGHT WITHOUT BRAKES HOOKED UP ON TRAILER. Yes, that much weight is too much for the bumper. You need a classIII or bigger hitch for more stable towing, and some kind of trailer brakes be it hydraulic tounge brakes or electric brakes. U-Haul rents trailers with hyd. tounge brakes. I would use the older truck befroe I trusted a rental F-150 or rent a truck that has electric brake controller and a tow pack.
Having recently towed a nearly identical load my self, I would never do it reliying solely on the trucks brakes. If you had a panic stop it would be VERY DANGEROUS.
If I were you, I would do some preventative maintainence and a thorough mechanical check to the 84 and use it. If it can't make the trip, then it was probably not worth buying.
Every 97&up Ford F-150 auto has overdrive, the 84 should not. Use either one in Drive (don't use fourth gear) the 84 would do just fine maybe even a little better.
I could not tell you the first thing about NY roads, except that the NY state thruway is one of the roughest, most expensive toll roads I have ever travelled.
Happy towing (unless you do it with no brakes or frame mounted hitch, you will be very unhappy),
seacrow
aka Jason
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'99 XLT S/C 4.6Romeo, Auto, 3.55 LS, Oxford White, Dark Graphite int., Tow Package, Orlando appearance package (Body color honeycomb grill, mirrors, and Lariat wheels)
98 Explorer XLT SOHC 4.0 V-6, moonroof, 3in1 Stereo, leather
71 GMC 350 4bbl. automatic, PS, uplevel trim
89 Dodge Van fancy steering wheel cover, radio doesn't work
Having recently towed a nearly identical load my self, I would never do it reliying solely on the trucks brakes. If you had a panic stop it would be VERY DANGEROUS.
If I were you, I would do some preventative maintainence and a thorough mechanical check to the 84 and use it. If it can't make the trip, then it was probably not worth buying.
Every 97&up Ford F-150 auto has overdrive, the 84 should not. Use either one in Drive (don't use fourth gear) the 84 would do just fine maybe even a little better.
I could not tell you the first thing about NY roads, except that the NY state thruway is one of the roughest, most expensive toll roads I have ever travelled.
Happy towing (unless you do it with no brakes or frame mounted hitch, you will be very unhappy),
seacrow
aka Jason
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'99 XLT S/C 4.6Romeo, Auto, 3.55 LS, Oxford White, Dark Graphite int., Tow Package, Orlando appearance package (Body color honeycomb grill, mirrors, and Lariat wheels)
98 Explorer XLT SOHC 4.0 V-6, moonroof, 3in1 Stereo, leather
71 GMC 350 4bbl. automatic, PS, uplevel trim
89 Dodge Van fancy steering wheel cover, radio doesn't work
Senior Member
Joined: Apr 1999
Posts: 509
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From: Sioux Falls, South Dakota
Jason offers good advice!
I cannot add more. I would also use the '84 to tow such a load.
Regarding "stopping at weigh stations": They are for commercial use - don't stop.
You are also NOT a "certain" vehicle on the Garden State.
As I remember, the tolls are "per axle" so you'll be paying for 4 axles.
Good Luck.
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1999 F-250 XLT Super Duty Crew Cab Long Bed
V-10, Automatic 4R100, 4.30 Limited Slip.
GVW = 6700# Towing Capacity = 13,300#
4 Wheel ABS disks + Reese 15K hitch
Dark Hunter Green. Ford Running Boards.
Grey Rhino-Liner. Captain's Chairs. CD+Tape
Polished Stainless Steel Wheel-well Molding http://members.home.net/jchartier/jnctrk.html
I cannot add more. I would also use the '84 to tow such a load.
Regarding "stopping at weigh stations": They are for commercial use - don't stop.
You are also NOT a "certain" vehicle on the Garden State.
As I remember, the tolls are "per axle" so you'll be paying for 4 axles.
Good Luck.
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1999 F-250 XLT Super Duty Crew Cab Long Bed
V-10, Automatic 4R100, 4.30 Limited Slip.
GVW = 6700# Towing Capacity = 13,300#
4 Wheel ABS disks + Reese 15K hitch
Dark Hunter Green. Ford Running Boards.
Grey Rhino-Liner. Captain's Chairs. CD+Tape
Polished Stainless Steel Wheel-well Molding http://members.home.net/jchartier/jnctrk.html
Member
Joined: Nov 1999
Posts: 46
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From: Canada
I have towed with my 98 ext 4x4 4.6, pretty much what you face. 3000lb car on 1400lb trailer, and I lost my trailer brakes do to a bad connection. Brakes on the F150 are not as stronge as some in the posts would like, well you will be using your brakes to stop two trucks(weight wise). It was a white knuckle stop, ABS on the rear only, wow,, I would not want to try it again.
As for your hitch, rental company may not look at the bumper when your return it. But if damaged or if an accident does happen, and your found to be overloaded, some trooper, or other offical may cause your insurance company to laugh at your claim. Plan some extra time, and report back on "your test drive" of old faithful.
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1998 F-150 XLT EXT 4X4 4.6
Superwinch, Grizzly Bar, KC's
As for your hitch, rental company may not look at the bumper when your return it. But if damaged or if an accident does happen, and your found to be overloaded, some trooper, or other offical may cause your insurance company to laugh at your claim. Plan some extra time, and report back on "your test drive" of old faithful.
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1998 F-150 XLT EXT 4X4 4.6
Superwinch, Grizzly Bar, KC's
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Junior Member
Joined: Dec 1999
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Well, we took the old truck, and since I'm replying it means that we made it back. As it turns out, I forgot to hook up the trailer brakes on the way up(we were unloaded on the way up) to Albany and we didn't even notice until we got there. That truck has some massive brakes(dual piston calipers up front, 11-12" drums in back). Hooked the brakes up on the way back, after we loaded the car.
Jason(seacrow) mentioned that it probably wasn't worth buying if it could not make the trip...my sister paid $600 for it, so it far exceeded it's expectations on this trip alone! She bought it just to have something to take trash to the dump with, and it ended up making a 1300 mile trip pulling a relatively heavy load.
I've never towed anything before, so it was an experience. The ride quality was 'entertaining' to say the least, and the cab noise was horrible(dried weatherstripping). Highway expansion joints suck at certain speeds. The loose steering prompted the trailer to try to drive the truck from time to time, so that will need some service before the next road trip. I'm back safe, so I can't complain. Thanks for the replies.
Bryan
Jason(seacrow) mentioned that it probably wasn't worth buying if it could not make the trip...my sister paid $600 for it, so it far exceeded it's expectations on this trip alone! She bought it just to have something to take trash to the dump with, and it ended up making a 1300 mile trip pulling a relatively heavy load.
I've never towed anything before, so it was an experience. The ride quality was 'entertaining' to say the least, and the cab noise was horrible(dried weatherstripping). Highway expansion joints suck at certain speeds. The loose steering prompted the trailer to try to drive the truck from time to time, so that will need some service before the next road trip. I'm back safe, so I can't complain. Thanks for the replies.
Bryan
Senior Member
Joined: Apr 1999
Posts: 509
Likes: 0
From: Sioux Falls, South Dakota
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test
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Rich
1999.5 SVT Lightning - Red. Super Chip. K&N Filter. Viper Alarm w/remote start, clear corners, tow package, cd changer, cover, MTX Thunderform w/ 2 10" MTX 200w subs. 5-channel 300w Clarion amp., etc. Build #2755
stbtb@Tampabay.rr.com
http://www.zing.com/picture/ff/e9/23/4/ffe92344.jpg.thumb.jpg
1999 Expedition XLT
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Rich
1999.5 SVT Lightning - Red. Super Chip. K&N Filter. Viper Alarm w/remote start, clear corners, tow package, cd changer, cover, MTX Thunderform w/ 2 10" MTX 200w subs. 5-channel 300w Clarion amp., etc. Build #2755
stbtb@Tampabay.rr.com
http://www.zing.com/picture/ff/e9/23/4/ffe92344.jpg.thumb.jpg
1999 Expedition XLT
Senior Member
Joined: Nov 1999
Posts: 972
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From: Tampa, FL, USA
test
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Rich
1999.5 SVT Lightning - Red. Super Chip. K&N Filter. Viper Alarm w/remote start, clear corners, tow package, cd changer, cover, MTX Thunderform w/ 2 10" MTX 200w subs. 5-channel 300w Clarion amp., etc. Build #2755
stbtb@Tampabay.rr.com
http://www.zing.com/picture/ff/e9/23....jpg.thumb.jpg
1999 Expedition XLT
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Rich
1999.5 SVT Lightning - Red. Super Chip. K&N Filter. Viper Alarm w/remote start, clear corners, tow package, cd changer, cover, MTX Thunderform w/ 2 10" MTX 200w subs. 5-channel 300w Clarion amp., etc. Build #2755
stbtb@Tampabay.rr.com
http://www.zing.com/picture/ff/e9/23....jpg.thumb.jpg
1999 Expedition XLT