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Old Jul 15, 2013 | 12:38 AM
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Towing question

Alright guys need some thoughts. New to the half ton world coming from two 7.3s. Currently have 2011 f150 5.0 with kn intake and vforce exhaust. Just bought a 93 salem 18 foot travel trailer that is listed at 2715lbs. Seemed to pull alright just alot of rpms. I know its gonna be alot different from my 7.3s. I know my weight is well under the listed numbers. Should I have any worries pulling this? Particularly the trans. Not sure if I got the full tow package. Got the hitch and harnesses for hookups but no TBC. Believe I have the harness for it in the glove box. Just seemed like the truck was kinda struggling to keep it around 65. Downshifting more than I thought it should but never really pulled much with gas engine. Just wanna know if ill have any problems pulling this trailer or if I need to worry or keep an eye on anything. Thanks
 
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Old Jul 15, 2013 | 05:51 AM
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Welcome to FTE sir!!

A bit more info on your F-150 would be needed to better assist you with your question. Gear ratios, tire size and any other mods that may have been done.
 
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Old Jul 15, 2013 | 06:35 AM
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Ok. 2011 F150 crew xlt 5.0 with 5.5 bed. Tri fold tonneau cover. K&N cold air intake. Vforce 1 into 2 exhaust with res. Delete. 275/65/18s Hercules terra trac a/ts on raceline black and machine wheels. Not sure of the gears ratio. Where to find? Tow package with both harness hookups but no TBC. Thats about it. 25k on the clock
 
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Old Jul 15, 2013 | 06:38 AM
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Weight is only one part of the equation; on the highway wind resistance plays a far greater role than weight. My old 24' enclosed trailer weighed around 3,500 lbs empty, and it was every bit as hard to pull on level ground as it was when loaded to 11,000 lbs. If you're turning higher RPMs it's safe to assume it's got some frontal area to it.

Since you have the factory hitch and trailer wiring you have the towing package. This gives you an auxiliary transmission cooler as well as a bigger radiator. I like monitoring temps with an OBD scanner such as a Scangauge, but you should have nothing to worry about with that setup.
 
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Old Jul 15, 2013 | 08:39 AM
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Thanks for the input. Would you recommend locking out 6th gear traveling around 60-65mph. Or just let the tranny do its thing in tow/haul.
 
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Old Jul 15, 2013 | 08:45 AM
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Ok Tom...so quick question...when I got my truck all I saw was the fuses in a bag. Is there something eelse I was supposed to get like a wiring harness of some sort?
 
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Old Jul 15, 2013 | 11:17 AM
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those fuses are for the truck to charge a battery on the trailer (such as a camper or winch in my case) I believe the relay goes in 9 and the fuse goes in 21 or vice versa if memory serves me correct. Verify with the manual. if youre truck as the TBC from factory correct?
 
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Old Jul 15, 2013 | 11:35 AM
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Originally Posted by Coyote150
Thanks for the input. Would you recommend locking out 6th gear traveling around 60-65mph. Or just let the tranny do its thing in tow/haul.
Let the transmission do its thing unless you see it frequently shifting into and out of sixth gear. Towing my boat I have no trouble holding top gear on the freeway, but my engine/gearing may well be different from yours.

Originally Posted by PrinceValium
Ok Tom...so quick question...when I got my truck all I saw was the fuses in a bag. Is there something eelse I was supposed to get like a wiring harness of some sort?
The harness you're thinking of is for an aftermarket brake controller which your truck isn't equipped for because of your integrated brake controller. The fuse and relay are for charging a trailer battery, which your boat trailer doesn't have.
 
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Old Jul 15, 2013 | 12:35 PM
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That much weight should not be an issue with your truck... Gas motors make their torque a bit higher in the RPM range than most diesels, especially the venerable 7.3. Whereas the 7.3 red lines at about 3,400 RPMs, your 5.0 can rev that high pretty much all day long if it had to (though I wouldn't want to myself). As far as towing in 6th, it won't hurt anything as long as the trans is allowed to downshift when it feels that it needs to. The tow/haul strategy is pretty well designed for this. You certainly won't be able to pull hills like you did with the old 7.3, but you should be able to make it just fine.
Also, there should be a sticker in the driver's side door jam with your axle info.
 
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Old Jul 15, 2013 | 01:58 PM
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"Tow package with both harness hookups but no TBC. Thats about it. 25k on the clock"

I don't think he has the ITBC, if I am reading his post correctly.
 
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Old Jul 15, 2013 | 02:20 PM
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Originally Posted by RV_Tech
"Tow package with both harness hookups but no TBC. Thats about it. 25k on the clock"

I don't think he has the ITBC, if I am reading his post correctly.
That was my take on it as well, I was responding to PrinceValium, who has the IBC.
 
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Old Jul 15, 2013 | 02:29 PM
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Originally Posted by Crazy001
That was my take on it as well, I was responding to PrinceValium, who has the IBC.
Yes you are correct I do have the IBC...thanks for clearing that up. Now I just hhave to figure out what receiver to get etc. (i.e. how much drop to have for my boat)
 
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Old Jul 15, 2013 | 02:31 PM
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Originally Posted by Crazy001
That was my take on it as well, I was responding to PrinceValium, who has the IBC.
Oops, sorry!
 
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Old Jul 15, 2013 | 02:32 PM
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Originally Posted by PrinceValium
Yes you are correct I do have the IBC...thanks for clearing that up. Now I just hhave to figure out what receiver to get etc. (i.e. how much drop to have for my boat)
I use a straight drawbar with no drop and it does well.

 
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Old Jul 15, 2013 | 06:21 PM
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to the OP I have the 5.0 (personal and one at work) I pull a 7700 LBS trailer at work. the only thing I can add is the 5.0 will pull it all day long but it will rev way higher than your used to! plus what rear end gears do you have mine both have 3:55s out back. at 55 MPH I can take the Santa Cruz mountains and it will shift down to 4th and even hit 3rd once when I was standing on it. but it will do it just keep in mind its not your power stroke! hay no one need to win the race pulling a trailer with that much weight on it! if you keep your cool put on some good tunes and just watch your foot and enjoy the ride you wont be first but you will make it!
 
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