Pulling a large trailer

[NVRANUF]

Yep, that's the reasoning for crossing the chains to to supposedly "catch" the trailer tongue if it comes off and prevent it from digging into the ground.

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[DT444T]

Check this out...



Each trailer is very different and each has it's sweet spot in terms of brake gain.

I prefer a gravel lot versus what they say in the video, and then I do the following....

Start with a low brake gain set up
Let the truck get to around 3mph while pulling the trailer and then use the manual controller (don't touch the brake pedal) to apply the brakes.
If it does nothing, add gain.
If it locks the trailer wheels up real fast, reduce gain
if it stops you normally, you are probably in a good spot

Monitor your first few stops to check for lock ups.

3700lbs ain't nothin for your truck

Oh wow. Your truck looks really nice. Given that it's the same color and cab/bed as mine, what lift and tire size do you have?

 

[DT444T]

Thanks everyone, I feel I have enough information now to feel comfortable pulling the trailer.

Glad we could make you feel better about it!

 

[DT444T]

Nice condo-on-wheels!

Geez that trailer is huge.

TWSS

It's about 5000# empty. It's a toy hauler with a LARGE garage space so there's not a ton of stuff in it. I assume in the worst case that I'm around 8000# and reflect that in my payload calculations. I don't think I've ever actually been that heavy, but I assume worst case. I CAN fit 4 bikes and 6 Ruffland dog crates in there at the same time, but luckily I've never had to do both.

 

[WalterMitty]

Oh wow. Your truck looks really nice. Given that it's the same color and cab/bed as mine, what lift and tire size do you have?

She’s a bone stock 2023 Tremor 5.0 in AMB. I removed the tacky (IMHO) side stickers.

She only looks level due to the weight of the trailer

 

[SpacemanOverland]

I’m heading to Texas in November hauling my 12’ enclosed trailer loaded up with knives and bbq gear. Your trip is gonna be a breeze. Just remember it’s there so you don’t take out stop signs and pedestrians and give yourself room to stop

 

[Eighthtry]

Thanks for the flattery.

Nice condo-on-wheels!

 

[Eighthtry]

I realize that if they say a F150 can tow it, it can be towed. I say if it is more than 7,000 all-in pounds and/or of sufficient height for the wind to be a factor, I would upgrade to an F250. I have learned in my old age (70's) and towing since 1976, that taking the risk with the smaller truck is just not worth it anymore. Wind, downhill, and curves scared the fool out of me once. Marketing/value/price sells an F150 for a heavy duty combination. Common sense is free and better deals with the trials and tribulations of the road. Hence F250[/QUOTE]

 

[miniceptor86]

Might sound basic but remember it’s back there on corners and when maneuvering around obstacles like gas pump islands etc. Don’t let the off track catch you out.

 

[tsigwing]

https://www.motortrend.com/news/201...avour-toward-california-science-center-275519

 

[Davexxxx]

I realize that if they say a F150 can tow it, it can be towed. I say if it is more than 7,000 all-in pounds and/or of sufficient height for the wind to be a factor, I would upgrade to an F250. I have learned in my old age (70's) and towing since 1976, that taking the risk with the smaller truck is just not worth it anymore. Wind, downhill, and curves scared the fool out of me once. Marketing/value/price sells an F150 for a heavy duty combination. Common sense is free and better deals with the trials and tribulations of the road. Hence F250

[/QUOTE]
What we "used to know" may no longer apply.

I realize there are several gens between them but comparing what I might have felt about my 01 F150 and this one, re towing, is not a good comparison. This truck is heavier, with near to twice the power, better brakes and on paper, near twice the towing capacity, while having similar payloads.

I towed lighter, shorter and lot less wind sensitive loads with it, than I do with this one and this one is far better.

In fact, I loved that truck but I knew it wouldn't do well, what I wanted to do, which is tow our current camper. 7500lbs, 30' long, 8' W, 11'-4" tall, across the Rockies and back.

The old 4.6L NA would have been screaming in the slow lane up the mountains and had no automatic engine / transmission braking. Locking out overdrive, was the closest thing to tow haul it had.

 

[Davexxxx]

I'm old enough to remember the era of F100s.

And when some would call what we drive now, as heavy halfs.

My truck has more in common with a 3/4 ton of that era, than a "half ton" truck.

The half and 3/4 names (and biases) stuck, even though the capabilities moved beyond them.

 

[Snakebitten]

Of the multiple trailers/RV's I have to choose from, where I am going, and how far, play into the determination of which truck I'm going to hitch to.

The same RV that I used my F350 for on a 2400 mile round trip this year, I would absolutely use my Powerboost instead. Especially If I were just running down to a nearby beach or State Park. Neither of which would require interstate towing speeds or long hours of sharing the roads with crazies.

 

[Davexxxx]

Of the multiple trailers/RV's I have to choose from, where I am going, and how far, play into the determination of which truck I'm going to hitch to.

The same RV that I used my F350 for on a 2400 mile round trip this year, I would absolutely use my Powerboost instead. Especially If I were just running down to a nearby beach or State Park. Neither of which would require interstate towing speeds or long hours of sharing the roads with crazies.

So far, I've only had to make one "panic stop" while towing. A-hole pulled out in front of me. I was very pleased with the performance. The combo stayed straight and squatted. Honestly, a non issue. Trailer brake gain, set to 6.

I did make sure they (the trailer brakes) were properly burnished and test them at the start each travel day.

I don't sweat it ... Except in your home state, with all those left hand exits

BTW, how do you like the new camper?

 

[Snakebitten]

I absolutely love that little RV!

I'm not saying that I represent the average RV'r, but I have been sleeping in RV's non-stop for just short of a decade. So I DO have real-life experience of full timing.

I say that to make my claim that owning 2 or 3 (or more) inexpensive RV's is far more enjoyable than owning 1 big and expensive one. Or put another way, the 3 RV's I use most often, all combined cost about $47k. I could easily spend much more than that on 1 "has everything I want" RV. But each RV fits a different mission, if you know what I mean. And that little one you are asking about is so easy to use! So light, but comfortable for me and a few kids to sleep in. And at $14k brand new? It's like cheating to be having so much fun!

I swear the only thing that it doesn't support for a single (widower) full-timer is a real bathroom. (tiny wet bath. Think small sail boat. )

Also keep in mind that I'm old and don't have the energy or desire for setting up and taking down camp. I used to be OK with the "work" part of camping, but now I appreciate the simpler things.

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