Help set me up for towing
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Senior User
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 307
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From: McMinnville, TN
Help set me up for towing
I posted in another thread that I wanted to upgrade to a stronger truck that would be more capable of pulling loads and give me 4WD. It doesn't look like that is going to happen anytime soon. I've got a few ideas to get me in the right direction. Let me know if I'm right.
It's an 85 F150 supercab LWB with 5.0L and AOD.
1. Add mudgrips to the back. I haven't decided on a size, cut I think I have some 33x12.5. My 235/75 all-season tires spin under almost all conditions.
2. Add those 2" thick rubber blocks under the front springs to level up the front and throw some weight toward the rear.
3. Add helper springs to the rear. I've looked at the coils that sit on the rearend tubes, the underspring, and the overspring add-a-leaf springs.
It's an 85 F150 supercab LWB with 5.0L and AOD.
1. Add mudgrips to the back. I haven't decided on a size, cut I think I have some 33x12.5. My 235/75 all-season tires spin under almost all conditions.
2. Add those 2" thick rubber blocks under the front springs to level up the front and throw some weight toward the rear.
3. Add helper springs to the rear. I've looked at the coils that sit on the rearend tubes, the underspring, and the overspring add-a-leaf springs.
Cargo Master
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 3,244
Likes: 40
I think that you are heading the right direction. Personally I'd run mud tires on all four with locker on the back. The leveling disks or pucks are a good start to level the truck out. You could also run f250 or 350 springs in the back.
Moderator
Joined: Nov 2007
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From: Denver Metro Area, CO
My personal opinion is you should use Load Range E street tires for towing combined
with a 351W or 460 engine. Yes, they lose traction in just a few flakes of snow, I add
about 350 lbs. of weight in the bed and use 4WD to cure that scenario.
with a 351W or 460 engine. Yes, they lose traction in just a few flakes of snow, I add
about 350 lbs. of weight in the bed and use 4WD to cure that scenario.
Elder User
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 938
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From: copperas cove tx
Sounds to me like you only have 4x2 right? ctubutis is right bout adding weight, and use a good tire on all four corners. Goin to the 460 will get costly and you might end up spendin as much in the mod as you would a f250hd or somethin similar. I got mine as an old farm truck for $800, youll spend bout $400 just in the engine itself (I got a little lucky with my find). Somethin else you could consider is using chains to help gain traction.
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Senior User
Joined: May 2010
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From: McMinnville, TN
Yep. Mine is a 4x2. I really want a 4wd. We don't get a lot of snow around here. My big problem with traction is on wet roads and wet grass. If anything is the least bit wet and on an incline, I'm stuck. Basically I can't back or pull a trailer when things are wet. But I really don't even have to haul a trailer to experience this.
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From: socal
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Senior User
Joined: May 2010
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From: McMinnville, TN
Prime example of my problem. The towing went okay, just a little slow. But see what happened next? My one-legged beaver trap marred up and required tractor removal.
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If you expect to pull in mud like that your not going to go far no matter what tires you have on the truck. I realize it doesn't appear to be that muddy but by looking at your truck and trailer it looks like the ground is just to soft. There is no replacement for 4x4. Especially with a car on your trailer. I really hope your running trailer brakes on that trailer with a booster in your truck. Sounds to me like if you have this problem with spinning out you need new tires. You can get load range C,D,and E in a more aggressive tread than just road tires but be willing to pay a little more for them. I would go no lower than a C range tire (aka no passenger tires). Also I second the tranny cooler and as much as I love my 351W until you break the 302 or can't have the power to pull what you want leave it alone.
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Senior User
Joined: May 2010
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From: McMinnville, TN
Yeah. I may have been asking for a little much this time. But, I often get the same results with no trailer. The tire may not sink as deep, but it will just spin and spin. I used to have a house on a hill. Water wouldn't stand, but the ground would soak like a sponge. If my back tires were the least bit off heavy gravel I was a no go on a rainy day. The tires I had then were pretty worn, though. I do okay on dry ground, but I can even take off from a stop sign and sit and spin on pavement. BTW, no brakes on the trailer. It could get scary very easily. Can anyone point me to an add-on brake kit for 3500# axles?
Cargo Master
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 3,244
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The only chance you may have is a rear locker. You can get around if you are not as stupid as half of the 4x4 guys who think they can go anywhere. I've driven passed people like that sunk up to axles and I take her slow and steady and choose a different route and make it in. Your tires are messed up if you are spinning on pavement.
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Joined: Jan 2001
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From: Virginia
If I were you, I would look around for a old donor pickup with a six, 302 or 351w. It needs to be 4wd, and a f150. It can be rusted out, but hopefully the tranny would be good along with the front axle and the transfer case. With this you can convert yours to 4x4 fairly easy. When you get in a tight spot backing the trailer, you will love the low range in the transfer case. Lock the hubs in, and with the low range you pretty much have a tractor that looks like a pickup truck.
Moderator
Joined: Nov 2007
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From: Denver Metro Area, CO
I can believe that, I think I got stuck in that fashion in my brother's back yard
one time, had to use 4WD to climb a maybe 2% grade.
I've since installed a Limited Slip rear end but haven't repeated the back yard
excursion to see how much it might help.
one time, had to use 4WD to climb a maybe 2% grade.
I've since installed a Limited Slip rear end but haven't repeated the back yard
excursion to see how much it might help.
Laughing Gas
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 781
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From: Sanford, NC
You definitly need to put a good limited slip or locker differential in the truck. You will
have to take the truck or the rear end to a qualified shop to have it installed but it will
help a lot with your problem. I had an Auburn Pro cone type limited slip installed in my
1981 F100 and it works great. It locks up better and wears much better than a clutch
pack type of limited slip. A Detroit Locker is the ultimate but is kind of rough when you
are on pavement.
have to take the truck or the rear end to a qualified shop to have it installed but it will
help a lot with your problem. I had an Auburn Pro cone type limited slip installed in my
1981 F100 and it works great. It locks up better and wears much better than a clutch
pack type of limited slip. A Detroit Locker is the ultimate but is kind of rough when you
are on pavement.