Question about recent towing experience
Laughing Gas
Joined: Sep 2017
Posts: 1,138
Likes: 265
From: Southwestern Pa.
Planning on pulling my trailer up to the Payson area for a last minute camping trip. Last time I tried adjusting the brake controller I could not get the trailer to lock up the brakes. Anyone ever have that issue?
this will be first time pulling my 26’ TT (6000lbs) up to the rim which I’m looking forward to with my truck.
The engine braking is new to me. Can anyone fill me in on using it?
this will be first time pulling my 26’ TT (6000lbs) up to the rim which I’m looking forward to with my truck.
The engine braking is new to me. Can anyone fill me in on using it?
Are you sure that your trailer brakes are functioning properly? If they're drums, are they adjusted properly? No worn out brake hardware? I have several trailers, one of which is an older flat deck that doesn't get used much anymore. When I first tried to used it with my F250, I had issues like you describe. It turned out that I had several issues: magnet wiring broken on 2 wheels, magnets/backing plates worn, shoes out of adjustment. Once I corrected them I was back in business.
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Mountain Pass
Joined: Apr 2018
Posts: 127
Likes: 4
When you set your trailer brakes, if you can imagine...you want to just feel the trailer brake in the seat of your pants when you hit the brakes. Too much gain and the trailer is trying to stop the whole rig. Too little gain and the trailer will be trying to push your truck...AND your truck will be doing too much work.
As far as MPG goes. I drove a big rig for many years. You REALLY need to learn how to use the engine without over working it. These new trucks simply have a TON of torque available. I pull a 31ft fiver with a 12ft trailer doubled up behind it...carrying my Side by Side. I can pull the hill into Flagstaff at 90 MPH or the grade outside Bishop doing almost the same. However, I will be sucking up the fuel and also burning the rubber off my tires. I have not yet pulled my rig with my 2019 but, with my 2012, I could average 11.5ish MPG if I simply let the truck run in it's sweet spot. So far, it looks as though my 2019 is going to do a little better than that. Hopefully I can draw some good deer and elk tags this year so i can try it out!
As far as MPG goes. I drove a big rig for many years. You REALLY need to learn how to use the engine without over working it. These new trucks simply have a TON of torque available. I pull a 31ft fiver with a 12ft trailer doubled up behind it...carrying my Side by Side. I can pull the hill into Flagstaff at 90 MPH or the grade outside Bishop doing almost the same. However, I will be sucking up the fuel and also burning the rubber off my tires. I have not yet pulled my rig with my 2019 but, with my 2012, I could average 11.5ish MPG if I simply let the truck run in it's sweet spot. So far, it looks as though my 2019 is going to do a little better than that. Hopefully I can draw some good deer and elk tags this year so i can try it out!
I should have inflated my tires before leaving on the trip but figured they were good enough at about 70-74 PSI (rated at 80 PSI max). I inflated to 78 for the trip home and will keep them at 80 for any future travels. I wonder if 5 +/- PSI could make a big difference?
Cross-Country
Joined: Jul 2018
Posts: 91
Likes: 0
Have you gone into the trailer settings on the truck and entered the proper settings for this trailer?
Are you sure that your trailer brakes are functioning properly? If they're drums, are they adjusted properly? No worn out brake hardware? I have several trailers, one of which is an older flat deck that doesn't get used much anymore. When I first tried to used it with my F250, I had issues like you describe. It turned out that I had several issues: magnet wiring broken on 2 wheels, magnets/backing plates worn, shoes out of adjustment. Once I corrected them I was back in business.
Are you sure that your trailer brakes are functioning properly? If they're drums, are they adjusted properly? No worn out brake hardware? I have several trailers, one of which is an older flat deck that doesn't get used much anymore. When I first tried to used it with my F250, I had issues like you describe. It turned out that I had several issues: magnet wiring broken on 2 wheels, magnets/backing plates worn, shoes out of adjustment. Once I corrected them I was back in business.
Senior User
Joined: Mar 2019
Posts: 486
Likes: 8
From: Salt Lake City
This has been a good read. Thanks everyone. I pulled my RV for the first time this past Monday in the mountains of Utah with my brand new 2019 Ford F350 6.7 SD.
I pull a beast, mind you. 44' Toy Hauler ... 16,100 empty. I was in the mid 10 mpg range, which I guess is expected. When I pulled this rig with my 05 Cummins, I'd be in the 12.8 mpg range, keeping in mind this RV far outweighed the Dodge's towing capacity.
Do any of you towers have any experience with transmission temps? It hit the mid 230's a few times.
I pull a beast, mind you. 44' Toy Hauler ... 16,100 empty. I was in the mid 10 mpg range, which I guess is expected. When I pulled this rig with my 05 Cummins, I'd be in the 12.8 mpg range, keeping in mind this RV far outweighed the Dodge's towing capacity.
Do any of you towers have any experience with transmission temps? It hit the mid 230's a few times.
Junior User
Joined: Feb 2019
Posts: 91
Likes: 1
If it's been a while since your brakes were adjusted, you are going to be quite pleased with the difference in braking when you do. You will probably have to turn your gain down as well.
New User
Joined: May 2019
Posts: 17
Likes: 0
This has been a good read. Thanks everyone. I pulled my RV for the first time this past Monday in the mountains of Utah with my brand new 2019 Ford F350 6.7 SD.
I pull a beast, mind you. 44' Toy Hauler ... 16,100 empty. I was in the mid 10 mpg range, which I guess is expected. When I pulled this rig with my 05 Cummins, I'd be in the 12.8 mpg range, keeping in mind this RV far outweighed the Dodge's towing capacity.
Do any of you towers have any experience with transmission temps? It hit the mid 230's a few times.
I pull a beast, mind you. 44' Toy Hauler ... 16,100 empty. I was in the mid 10 mpg range, which I guess is expected. When I pulled this rig with my 05 Cummins, I'd be in the 12.8 mpg range, keeping in mind this RV far outweighed the Dodge's towing capacity.
Do any of you towers have any experience with transmission temps? It hit the mid 230's a few times.
That seems a bit high for trans temps (I've always gone with the notion of keeping it under 220 but thats anecdotal), however, you were pulling a 17,000k+ trailer through the mountains so maybe thats not so bad. How hard did you push up hills?
Sounds like you have a nice trailer! Kudos and enjoy!
Senior User
Joined: Mar 2019
Posts: 486
Likes: 8
From: Salt Lake City
Yes, but that 05 Cummins didnt get up and move quite like these new turbo diesel, thats for sure...lol.
That seems a bit high for trans temps (I've always gone with the notion of keeping it under 220 but thats anecdotal), however, you were pulling a 17,000k+ trailer through the mountains so maybe thats not so bad. How hard did you push up hills?
Sounds like you have a nice trailer! Kudos and enjoy!
That seems a bit high for trans temps (I've always gone with the notion of keeping it under 220 but thats anecdotal), however, you were pulling a 17,000k+ trailer through the mountains so maybe thats not so bad. How hard did you push up hills?
Sounds like you have a nice trailer! Kudos and enjoy!
And yes. It tows night and day compared to the Dodge. It's amazing.
Laughing Gas
Joined: Jun 2018
Posts: 803
Likes: 103
Hi,
when towing my 42ft 5er loaded 12,800lbs with my 18 350 dually 6.7 3.55s stock i got 7mpg🤮 cruise set at 70mph.
Fully Deleted now with 75HP tow tune & get 9.2mpg at 70mph with same trailer loaded at 13,500lbs.
Sometime i wonder about the MPG i hear people getting while towing heavier 5ers then mine.
As others have stated, aero drag is probably the culprit. Longer the trailer, the more drag under and around it i guess.
when towing my 42ft 5er loaded 12,800lbs with my 18 350 dually 6.7 3.55s stock i got 7mpg🤮 cruise set at 70mph.
Fully Deleted now with 75HP tow tune & get 9.2mpg at 70mph with same trailer loaded at 13,500lbs.
Sometime i wonder about the MPG i hear people getting while towing heavier 5ers then mine.
As others have stated, aero drag is probably the culprit. Longer the trailer, the more drag under and around it i guess.
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Cross-Country
Joined: Jul 2018
Posts: 91
Likes: 0
Last time I bought a spoon to try and adjust them and that’s when I realized there self adjusting from what I read
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