Two year trip around the USA in an F-150

[LoneWolf31]

Looks like a blast! Have fun! Safe travels

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[VRFlyer]

I'm a software engineer, at least until space man trashes my career..

He gonna deport you back to your ancestor's country of origin! ?

 

[Blown F-150]

Very cool idea! I can't wait to follow along!

 

[Realtruck]

Looking forward to seeing your trip reports. Safe travels!

 

[Eighthtry]

Waiting to hear something. Snow? Rain? Mud?

 

[22Platinum]

if you don’t lock the rear down!

So I was wrong: the rear end does move ever so slightly going down the highway, though I never did tie it down.

Okay so long overdue update:

Fuel mileage is the same no matter how fast I go. 6-7mpg is the norm, I've seen in the 5s before.

The weight distribution hitch has enough lift to it that if it's ovetightened, it can pull enough weight off the rear wheels to the point that the truck will crabwalk going down the highway after a sharp turn (getting out of the gas station and directly onto the highway), as the bars that transfer the weight don't return to dead center.

The livernois tow tune has got more than enough power. I've got enough relationship with the 10r80 now that I don't let tow mode pick the gears anymore; I still use it for the shift harshness but its manual mode all day long now. Selecting the right gear before it's needed can cause the trailer to disappear.

The engine needs 2500 rpm and really shines above 3000. Under 2500 is doable but you'll quickly dig deep into the pedal if reasons arise. Fuel mileage is unaffected by gear choice at this point, so there is no reason not to run 7th all the time instead of going into 8th or 9th for a few moments at time. Shifts under duress are flawless.

The transmission gets angry about her business at 225 degrees.

93 octane makes a significant difference in power.

The oil life meter is indicating 4700 mile oil change intervals at these levels of duress lol.

I basically fly and pass everyone in sight; I drive faster with the trailer than without, as with the trailer and the correct gear it can be hard to keep the speed down, going uphill for instance.

I generated nearly half a megawatt of electricity from the sun in Florida.

I suspect the larger radiator from the tow package was worth it (mine doesn't have it), as she sees heat, as much as 227 momentarily uphill, and I've never had a reason to outright floor it.

 

[22Platinum]

Came in 4th out of 20 in the motorcycle slow race.. I expected the guys to bring their baggers and have a fair fight but many brought their girlfriend's 250.

The 70 year old guy on the 40 year old carb'ed Harley was unstoppable.. guy could probably take a nap on that that bike upright.

 

[EcoB259]

Welcome to the Cape!! I would have road up to bike night if I knew you were here. I quit going because they moved the bikes off street parking only. It used to be cool to see the street lined with bikes.

 

[22Platinum]

Soft sands really do pull her down.. I mistakenly chose LT325/55/22s over 35x12.50s for the higher speed rating and additional weight capacity but lost out on the high flotation; between that and not airing down the tires she digs down in the powdery stuff. It's not enough to stop the truck but requires a lot more accelerator to stay moving. Dropping to 20psi helps tremendously but is an obvious headache daily.

The steering column makes a loud, almost electrical loading sound after 30 minutes of sawing at the sands but the power steering feels the same.

Unlocked torque converter really pushes heat into the transmission; 243°f and still climbing, though i was really hooning. 230s the normal limit if you aren't dogging it constantly.

The truck is pretty much unstoppable in sands with a locking rear and even with the open front diff. The tires make all the difference. I guess if you intentionally tried to get stuck you could.

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