Hey everyone I'm new to this forum. So forgive me if I sound stupid. Anyway, here in June I'm gonna be making a drive from Alaska to Illinois while towing an 06 Silverado (only half the distance tho). I have a 2003 F150 XLT (7700) with a 5.4L and what I believe is the factory tow package. Just wondering if ya'll had any tips or anything as far as the towing goes and if I should make any tweaks. I've never towed another truck before so...any advice would be great ! thanks

 

Make sure the trailer is in top shape - wheel bearings, brakes, tires, etc. With that kind of weight, I'd probably lock it out of overdrive.

On the truck, do a complete service - change the tranny fluid, etc.

 

Make sure your brakes are good too, change fluids etc. Give the ol truck a good once over.

 

how exactly do u lock it out of over drive? but my train of thought was pretty much the same as far as checking the trailer and servicing the truck..but ya only thing i don't really know how to do is lock it out of overdrive.....i've turned it off before with the little button but it always goes back on

 

All you have to do is hit the button - but yes, it will cancel out every time you turn the engine off.

 

well I tried renting a trailer and the people wont let me do it! Says both vehicle weights match too much and is too much of a hazard...damnit!

 

A few years back I went to u-haul to rent a car hauler to move my 2002 ford Taurus. My truck was a 97' F-150 with 4.6L and 3.55 rear end. They told me the same thing they told you. I ended up going to another u-haul place a short ways away and telling them I was going to be hauling a geo metro. I got the trailer from there picked up the Taurus and hauled it no problem.

 

in a way though im kind of glad.....i'll just ship the ol f150 when i move down to NC, i would be spending a crap load on gas driving from Alaska to Illinois

 

Point out to them that you have the 7700# package - which arguably makes it a 3/4 ton truck.

 

never thought about that, thanks glc

 

How do you know it is a 7700 series? Where would you find such information? Has any SCrew's have this ?

 

On your badge where the XL or XLT is printed will be the numbers "7700" in red ink plusthey have 7 lugs and a bigger rear end I think.

 

it only say 7700 under the F150 on the tailgate... lol

what all does the 7700 mean anyway? Like it can tow more or something? Im clueless to what it means

 

Look at your door jamb sticker - the F-150/7700 has a 7700# GVWR.

When they went to the 97 body style, the standard F-250 (LD) had the same body as the F-150 with beefed axles and suspension and 7 lug wheels. When the Super Dutys came out in 99 to replace the old body style 250HD's and 350's, they rebadged the standard F-250 as a F-150/7700. It *IS* technically a 3/4 ton truck.

http://kspilkinton.clubfte.com/7700page.htm

No SCrews - just long bed standard cabs and short bed SCabs.

Chuck - it doesn't get any better than what you have in OBS F-150's for towing and load carrying capability.

EDIT - I just looked it up - a 2003 SCab with the 7700 package is rated to tow 8500#. Go get the Chevy weighed, and ask the trailer rental joint how much the trailer weighs - I'm betting both together will be in the 7000# ballpark.

 

but the problem is they want the F150 to weigh 1/2 ton more than the weight being towed

but like u said its technically a 3/4 ton truck......i'll call and argue with the place tomorrow though