Towing Help for a Newbie? 1999 Ext Cab V6
#16
03-11-2007, 06:23 PM
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#17
03-13-2007, 01:32 PM
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Originally Posted by referee54
Braking! Wghile I admittedly do not tow more than 3300 lbs, accelerating with mine wasn't a big problem (I have a 5.4) but braking did need to be planned out further in advance. That was the biggest thing that I have learned...
Tim C.
Tim C.
With my new Carson car hauler's 10" brakes, I can make the thing stop faster than it does without the trailer if I set things right and it's dry (wet is a different story).
#18
03-13-2007, 09:58 PM
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03-22-2007, 11:41 PM
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#20
10-07-2007, 07:59 PM
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Boat Search - UPDATE
Originally Posted by BEdmondson
STEVE,
The problem with towing a 17ft - 18ft Bass boat with your F150 is that you are NOT going to be able to tell if the boat falls off the trailer
Your F150 isn't even going to know it's back there.
I had a similar experience towing my sister's 26' Airstream (VERY light) across Texas with her Ford Expedition. The Expedition is a respectable tow vehicle, especially my sister's 2WD, but the F150 is MUCH better (IMHO) because of the longer wheelbase. But, that Expedition didn't even know that Airstream was back there!
It only gets hairy when you get into heavier trailers. Bass Boats are nothing. My kid brother (who is crazy) was towing his Bass Boat with a Geo Tracker! He said it towed just fine... I can't verify that, because I wouldn't ride with him.
There are cars that will tow that Bass Boat.
MARK,
When it comes time to tow that camper with your V6, just make sure the camper isn't heavier than your vehicle's towing ratings. The Ford guidelines are a great reference. And, under the right circumstances/setup, you can even push that a little bit, but you have to know what your'e doing. But, don't get me wrong; it's always best to have a vehicle that can handle a much heavier trailer than what you are towing... I LIKE it when my truck "doesn't know" there's a trailer back there.
Towing a trailer 120 miles once a year is nothing... Make sure that your engine and transmission are running cool, and you won't hurt the vehicle. You might not get there very fast with the V6, but you'll be fine.... go slow - don't push the vehicle real hard. Find the engine RPM that the V6 likes best and stay there... Note: this is somewhere to the left of "redline" on your tachometer
One of my other war-stories is a friend of mine who would tow his 22 ft. runabout (~4,000 lbs.) to his lake once a year with his AWD Toyota Previa! AMAZING! He did this for YEARS. But again, I never rode with him
Brian
The problem with towing a 17ft - 18ft Bass boat with your F150 is that you are NOT going to be able to tell if the boat falls off the trailer
Your F150 isn't even going to know it's back there. I had a similar experience towing my sister's 26' Airstream (VERY light) across Texas with her Ford Expedition. The Expedition is a respectable tow vehicle, especially my sister's 2WD, but the F150 is MUCH better (IMHO) because of the longer wheelbase. But, that Expedition didn't even know that Airstream was back there!
It only gets hairy when you get into heavier trailers. Bass Boats are nothing. My kid brother (who is crazy) was towing his Bass Boat with a Geo Tracker! He said it towed just fine... I can't verify that, because I wouldn't ride with him.
There are cars that will tow that Bass Boat.
MARK,
When it comes time to tow that camper with your V6, just make sure the camper isn't heavier than your vehicle's towing ratings. The Ford guidelines are a great reference. And, under the right circumstances/setup, you can even push that a little bit, but you have to know what your'e doing. But, don't get me wrong; it's always best to have a vehicle that can handle a much heavier trailer than what you are towing... I LIKE it when my truck "doesn't know" there's a trailer back there.
Towing a trailer 120 miles once a year is nothing... Make sure that your engine and transmission are running cool, and you won't hurt the vehicle. You might not get there very fast with the V6, but you'll be fine.... go slow - don't push the vehicle real hard. Find the engine RPM that the V6 likes best and stay there... Note: this is somewhere to the left of "redline" on your tachometer
One of my other war-stories is a friend of mine who would tow his 22 ft. runabout (~4,000 lbs.) to his lake once a year with his AWD Toyota Previa! AMAZING! He did this for YEARS. But again, I never rode with him
Brian
Steve
#22
10-20-2007, 05:51 AM
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#24
10-20-2007, 12:14 PM
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Originally Posted by referee54
Braking! Wghile I admittedly do not tow more than 3300 lbs, accelerating with mine wasn't a big problem (I have a 5.4) but braking did need to be planned out further in advance. That was the biggest thing that I have learned...
Tim C.
Tim C.
