Helpful hints for towing
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Junior User
Joined: May 2004
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Helpful hints for towing
I've towed smaller boats all of my life... now I'm moving up to towing a travel trailer - 32'. Question: I've got a 97 F350, crew, 4X4, longbed, diesel. It came with an Edge tunner installed. What other options should I do this truck before I head south from Alaska to travel the lower 48? tranny cooler? pyro temp gauge if I choose to program my tunner for tow, race, or extreme (should I use this product?), synthetic oils for tranny or differential.
I'm looking for things I can do now before I leave in 2 months.. I'll be traveling during the hot months.
Oh ya, the trailer weighs 7300 #s.
I know there are a lot of questions but after reading through many posts I see there are people out there willing to offer helpful ideas.
thanks,
Bristrew
I'm looking for things I can do now before I leave in 2 months.. I'll be traveling during the hot months.
Oh ya, the trailer weighs 7300 #s.
I know there are a lot of questions but after reading through many posts I see there are people out there willing to offer helpful ideas.
thanks,
Bristrew
Hotshot
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 11,537
Likes: 27
From: Long Beach, Ms.
A trany temp guage is highly recommended. The cooler is too. Do you have a weight distributing hitch? You might want to visit this site for more info; http://trailerlife.com/
Freshman User
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 30
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From: Idaho
Hopefully they installed a 3 " Downpipe with the programer if not that would be the 1st thing I would be doing. The next would be to get yourself a set of gauges, in my book more is better. I think you'll be fine with the Tow setting, in fact most warn against going above that for towing. Makes sense to me Tow is for Towing. I would look into an aftermarket intake. I've installed a Tymar and am very pleased. I looked at building one myself but after reading all the posts, I called Dale as everbody recomends and he hooked me up with the intake and extra filter and some oher little goodies. The tranny cooler is a must, also tranny gauge!!
I had a post a few weeks ago about a thermostat, Quadzilla got me on the path for a 203 degree, it makes a difference. Truck just seems to run smoother. I'm sure you'll get a lot of good input from the people here.
I had a post a few weeks ago about a thermostat, Quadzilla got me on the path for a 203 degree, it makes a difference. Truck just seems to run smoother. I'm sure you'll get a lot of good input from the people here.
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Junior User
Joined: May 2004
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Thanks to all, so far. There was an installed downpipe with the tuner/programmer.
I do have a weight distribution hitch also.
Tips on synthetic oils? Also, I did see an extra radiator in front of big radiator on passenger side,. is that for the power steering or could it be for tranny... i was in my work clothes and, you know, didn't want to start crawling around.
Keep coming with tips. I want to spend the next 2 months preparing for this trip out of Alaska, darn time to check out the rest of the country!
I do have a weight distribution hitch also.
Tips on synthetic oils? Also, I did see an extra radiator in front of big radiator on passenger side,. is that for the power steering or could it be for tranny... i was in my work clothes and, you know, didn't want to start crawling around.
Keep coming with tips. I want to spend the next 2 months preparing for this trip out of Alaska, darn time to check out the rest of the country!
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New User
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 6
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From: N. Ca
I run Amsoil with the dual bypass filter on my 00 F350 PSD. I had the filter mounted on the frame, under the driver side door. This makes access easy. I am not a salesman of the stuff, just a very satisfied customer. I started using Amsoil about 10 years ago and I can't say enough about it. My little Saturn has 180K miles on it. I change the oil in that car every 30K miles and filter change at 15k. The car runs like a top.
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Elder User
Joined: Feb 2003
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From: Virginia
not sure how it is on the auto's, but on the manual, the tranny cooler is in the radiator. Usually most stock tranny coolers are oil to water (in radiator). If you install an aftermarket cooler, put it inline after the radiator, not before.
Posting Guru
Joined: Dec 2003
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From: South Texas Coast
Towing
I pull a 33 ft fiver with my 96. If you are going to run a chip you absolutely need a pyro especially when towing thru mountains. In addition you will be well served by changing the exhaust system from turbo back and change out the factory air box (recommend Tymar). The Tranny temp is also highly recommended. I did not have the gages when I first started towing; once I got them I was amazed at the EGT I was pulling. The exhaust and air box change will drop your EGT, give you more power, and probably increase your fuel economy.
Good luck on your trip keep away from Top of The World Highway many RVs hav died up there.
Good luck on your trip keep away from Top of The World Highway many RVs hav died up there.
Last edited by Phydeaux88; May 7, 2004 at 09:39 PM.