Another towing newbie
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More Turbo
Joined: Aug 2019
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From: Norcal
Another towing newbie
Hi all, just got a 24' camping trailer. 6,390 dry weight. I have 97 cclb 4x4 7.3 f350 with trailer brake, airbags, rear overload springs, 16,000lb rated receiver, 12,000 lb rated wdh blue ox brand. My truck does not have an intercooler. I hoping that this should be sufficient to tow this trailer. I understand the fact that not having an intercooler will drastically reduce my acceleration speed and climbing abilities. But other than that, should I be concerned? Any advice such as tire pressure? Thanks.
Logistics Pro
Joined: May 2022
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From: Everywhere and nowhere
What is your axle ratio, 3.54 or 4.10? And what size tires? If you have 4.10s and stock you wont ha e a problem. 3.54s with stock tires will do it but will be slower and any larger tire than stock will zap towing performance and depending on how large could make it feel like a slug. If it's an automatic I would be more concerned with a trans cooler than an intercooler.
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More Turbo
Joined: Aug 2019
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From: Norcal
Stock tires and stock rear end gears. I do have a larger trans cooler, tru cool to be exact. A hydra tuner with tow tunes. I will be setting up the hitch system this weekend.
Auto tranny but I has been upgraded from a previous owner. I called the shop that rebuilt the tranny and they stated that the build was to make the tranny a little more robust for towing.
Auto tranny but I has been upgraded from a previous owner. I called the shop that rebuilt the tranny and they stated that the build was to make the tranny a little more robust for towing.
Logistics Pro
Joined: May 2022
Posts: 4,281
Likes: 2,415
From: Everywhere and nowhere
You should be good to go. The axle code is located on the white tag inside the driver's door jamb. You can use this chart to decode it.
https://www.ford-trucks.com/articles...le-code-chart/
https://www.ford-trucks.com/articles...le-code-chart/
Laughing Gas
Joined: Dec 2018
Posts: 837
Likes: 152
From: NE OK
You are good to tow that trailer. Go to tirepressure.com and you can find your tire capacities at any given pressure. Also, hook your trailer up and go to a scale. Knowing your numbers is very good peace of mind.
Cargo Master
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 2,710
Likes: 77
From: Central Florida
That trailer is light, so I would start with the recommended tire pressure on the door jamb. You should invest in a Tire Pressure monitor. I have both Tire Minder and TST. I like the TST slightly better. They will monitor tire pressure and temperature. Put the sensors on your truck and trailer. When towing, if the tires get too hot, you probably need more air. If the tires build up too much pressure, your over inflating. On my DRW F350 I found 80 psi in the fronts, 70 in the rears & 103 on the trailer tires worked out the best when towing the 5th wheel. 80 in the front & 65 in the rears works the best when towing the car hauler or boat. The car hauler liked 90 psi and the boat likes 65 psi. Also being a newbie, get a torque wrench. You should check your trailer lug nuts often. I check mine after the first pit stop, then about every 200 miles. Every now & then I find one is not at the right torque spec. Have fun with your travels!
Laughing Gas
Joined: May 2024
Posts: 902
Likes: 289
From: E TN
A spare tire is needed, 2 is even nicer. If you don't have a cordless impact you now have a good reason to buy one. Camco Trailer Aid Tandem Tire Change Ramp | Camco Outdoors One of these ramps is nice or you can make one from wood, makes changing a tire real easy. Is the trailer new? or are the tires new? Check the date codes on the trailer tires if used. You can easily pull that trailer, I've pulled more with less power, stopping and sway are the big concerns when towing. Going slow won't hurt you but not being able to stop or control the trailer can kill you.
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More Turbo
Joined: Aug 2019
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From: Norcal
Understood. I have a brake controller. The tires on the trailer are a couple years old and have plenty of tread. They were replaced at the same time the axle bearings were done. It's a 2017 used trailer off a private party. The guy seemed honest and easy to talk to. Now looking at the four tires the front 2 look much more fresher than the back 2 tires but seems like plenty of tread. I didn't see a code or date on the tires.
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Laughing Gas
Joined: May 2024
Posts: 902
Likes: 289
From: E TN
Tread usually makes no difference on trailer tires. The sun destroys them and the sidewall lets go or you leave the tread on the road when it lets go. This is why so many use TPMS systems, most let you know when you no longer have any air or tire more than if it's slightly low. I have covers for my tires for when my trailers sit. https://recstuff.com/how-old-are-my-...-and-find-out/
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More Turbo
Joined: Aug 2019
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From: Norcal
Two of them are dated year 22 and the other 2 are dated year 19. So it looks like I need 2 new tires. 6 years is a long stretch. I do have covers for them they came with the trailer. Found them in one of the storage areas, they looked like they were never used.
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More Turbo
Joined: Aug 2019
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From: Norcal
Two of them are dated year 22 and the other 2 are dated year 19. So it looks like I need 2 new tires. 6 years is a long stretch. I do have covers for them they came with the trailer. Found them in one of the storage areas, they looked like they were never used.
Laughing Gas
Joined: May 2024
Posts: 902
Likes: 289
From: E TN
In my area there are plenty of trailer dealers that sell trailer tires with wheels at a good price as they buy them by the truckload. If you don't have spares that might be a good option to buy 2 already mounted and keep the old as spares.
Cargo Master
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 2,710
Likes: 77
From: Central Florida
I wouldn't mess around with tires. Get 4 new, good brand name tires. I bought a new car hauler that a brand of tires I never heard of, about 3 thousand miles later one of the tires blew out. The tires were only 3 months old and barely had 3,000 miles on them. I replace them with a set of Sailum's, 9,000 miles later when I sold the trailer the tires were still awesome. I sucks to be on the shoulder of a dark interstate , at 3:00 AM, trying to change a tire.
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