TOWING
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2nd Gear
Joined: Jun 2023
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From: The PNW
TOWING
hey all, i recently bought my F-150 Lariat super crew cab with the 6.5" bed, so I'm a little new, I bought it used and i am wanting to be able to tow a camper trailer with out the truck being over worked, what are some of the first upgrades I should do to the engine?
Super Moderator
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 37,375
Likes: 1,860
From: Frederick, MD
hi and welcome to FTE. In order to know how to answer the question, we need a little more info.
what year, what motor and do you have 4x4 or 2wd.
What is the planned camper? Towable or were you planning on a slide in?
Straight up front, probably a trailer brake controller is going to be needed and I would probably suggest moving to a LT tire vs P rated tires.
what year, what motor and do you have 4x4 or 2wd.
What is the planned camper? Towable or were you planning on a slide in?
Straight up front, probably a trailer brake controller is going to be needed and I would probably suggest moving to a LT tire vs P rated tires.
Thread Starter
|
2nd Gear
Joined: Jun 2023
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
From: The PNW
hi and welcome to FTE. In order to know how to answer the question, we need a little more info.
what year, what motor and do you have 4x4 or 2wd.
What is the planned camper? Towable or were you planning on a slide in?
Straight up front, probably a trailer brake controller is going to be needed and I would probably suggest moving to a LT tire vs P rated tires.
what year, what motor and do you have 4x4 or 2wd.
What is the planned camper? Towable or were you planning on a slide in?
Straight up front, probably a trailer brake controller is going to be needed and I would probably suggest moving to a LT tire vs P rated tires.
Super Moderator
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 37,375
Likes: 1,860
From: Frederick, MD
Try 5 Star. They do some programing to give you a little more power. You can also go to fordfleet.com and they may list he towing guide for your year, modlel, motor and gear ratio.
Lets say the trailer GVW is 6500 lbs. 10% is 650 lbs. This will go on the truck as payload, ok there. That number is ok.
Lets say the trailer GVW is 6500 lbs. 10% is 650 lbs. This will go on the truck as payload, ok there. That number is ok.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Jul 2019
Posts: 1,306
Likes: 310
Not much you can do to a Triton platform engine for cheap.
Just keep it running right. Don’t ignore noises (like your gas engine converting itself to a diesel because the timing setup goes and the phasers rattle away), keep up on oil changes.
Just keep it running right. Don’t ignore noises (like your gas engine converting itself to a diesel because the timing setup goes and the phasers rattle away), keep up on oil changes.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Apr 2016
Posts: 1,653
Likes: 193
Your lariat should have an extra trans cooler tow package - very important . Change that trans fluid for sure. Every 30k . Monitor trans temp , 200 deg f is a killer. Make sure your coolant system first class. New hoses etc . New coolant . Don't push it hard.
trailers tend to become very over weight stop putting more in -purge
Inspect your brakes often don't rely on trailer brakes that are small . Use sway bars , no old tires . Watch your tongue weight , stop a few miles down the road 360 the whole thing, be pessimistic. Adjust your brake controller several times , don't burn the trailer barkes up .
trailers tend to become very over weight stop putting more in -purge
Inspect your brakes often don't rely on trailer brakes that are small . Use sway bars , no old tires . Watch your tongue weight , stop a few miles down the road 360 the whole thing, be pessimistic. Adjust your brake controller several times , don't burn the trailer barkes up .
Tuned
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 312
Likes: 19
From: SoCal
Add temp gauges
i have a trans temp gauge and am planning on adding a diff temp gauge one of these days. I have heard that some tuners will show trans temp, YMMV.
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Lead Driver
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 9,352
Likes: 1,720
From: AKRON ohio
My 05 f150 never had a problem with power that 5.4 worked hard for the entire time I owned it 127,000 miles and never opened up for any internal repairs. Don't be afraid to let the rpm's run up. Let the horses run free. You'll be fine
i couldn't find a pic but it also towed a 20' enclosed trailer several times from Akron Ohio to pigeon forge Tennessee loaded!
edit:
here is a pic of my swap meet set up. All that was in the enclosed trailer!
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Lead Driver
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 9,352
Likes: 1,720
From: AKRON ohio
mine pictured above is doing all that towing with a 3.55. I really liked the 3.55 since I could tow the trailer empty in 4th and when heavy towing drop down to 3rd.
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