First Towing Experience
#1
First Towing Experience
I bought my Ex a few months ago primarily to tow my 20 ft enclosed race trailer. Trailer weighs almost 7000 lbs loaded. Ex is 2004 V10, 4X4 w/ 3.73 gears. Ex is not as stable as a dually but had no problem with the towing weight. It did not wander much and was not difficult to drive. Country is fairly flat with some rolling hills. I towed in overdrive and it did just fine but did kick down a gear on most of the hills. I towed in overdrive because of the 1800 rpm vs the 2800 rpm. I'll ck today and figure the mileage but I don't think it will be too bad. I acutally believe it will drive better with less air in the front tires. I was running with 70 lbs. I will try it next with 40 lbs. When I bought it it had 40 lbs and was extremely good driving but to hopefully increase mpg a little I went to 70 lbs. It change the unloaded driving by making it more twitchy. Later!!
#2
#4
I do have both a weight distribution hitch and a sway control. This was the first time I ever towed with a sway control so I don't really know if it did any good or not because I haven't towed with this vehicle before. I'll probably take it off on a future trip to see how it does with just the WD hitch. I realize 40 lbs is pretty low and my changing inflation will be a little at a time. Also the rear wheels will stay at 70 or 80 lbs.
BTW, I checked mpg today and it was 9.25 for the 200 mi trip. Pretty good since my everyday driving is only right at 10 mpg.
BTW, I checked mpg today and it was 9.25 for the 200 mi trip. Pretty good since my everyday driving is only right at 10 mpg.
#5
Under IDEAL conditions and with a properly set up trailer, sway control should do nothing and is a waste of time. It's only when you run into the wrong set of circumstances do you NEED the sway control.
You might want to try it without just for grins, but don't let that lull you into a false sense of security. Use it since you have it.
Too high of air pressure in the front of mine makes it twitchy. I prefer 55-60 up front.
You might want to try it without just for grins, but don't let that lull you into a false sense of security. Use it since you have it.
Too high of air pressure in the front of mine makes it twitchy. I prefer 55-60 up front.
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