Towed for the first time ...
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Senior User
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 183
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From: Fort Hood (Texas)
Towed for the first time ...
Well I towed with my truck for the first time yesterday.. It was scary! I pulled an Auto Transport (Full Flatbed) from UHaul yesterday.. It was a 136 mi trip with an Isuzu Trooper.. I had helluva time pulling up the hills.. I couldnt stay in 5th gear the whole trip.. There was one hill I stopped on and when I took off I was at 3000 rpms and my truck wasnt moving.. It took me awhile to move! My brakes were burning after the trip.. I could smell them real bad! Coming home tho with the trailer empty was fine.. I have a Class 3 Receiver Hitch on the truck..
Question
What should I inspect? Just to make sure I didnt break anything towing this vehicle..
Question
What should I inspect? Just to make sure I didnt break anything towing this vehicle..
Senior User
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 431
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From: Winnipeg Canada
you should have probably installed electric brakes on the trailor if you are going to be towing that much weight. do you have an auto tranny or a manual? if you have an auto do you have a tranny cooler? if not, i would change your fluid because you probably jsut ****ed your tranny up.
if it's a standard, i'd have a look at the condition of your clutch. especially if you said you were revving it high and it wasn't going anywhere.
**edit: reading that again i see you said you couldn't stay in 5th gear which would leave me to believe you have a standard. this being said... don't ever use overdrive if you are towing
if it's a standard, i'd have a look at the condition of your clutch. especially if you said you were revving it high and it wasn't going anywhere.
**edit: reading that again i see you said you couldn't stay in 5th gear which would leave me to believe you have a standard. this being said... don't ever use overdrive if you are towing
Last edited by Drizzt; Jun 15, 2004 at 01:10 AM.
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Senior User
Joined: Apr 2004
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From: Fort Hood (Texas)
im changing the oil tomorrow.. and the clutch.. it feels fine today.. i went driving and i had no slipping so imagine it held up.. im wondering if the 3000 RPMS was just b/c i was on a steep hill at the very tip of it.. i got stuck at a light and i just could pull.. the trailer was pulling me back.. imma inspect further tomorrow.. so far shes handling ok..
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 1,344
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From: Sioux Falls SD
When towing with the 5speed you need to run your gear up hig enough that when you shift up the rpm does not fall below 2500, 3000 is perfect. I have the 3.08 rear gear in mine and I would appreciate a little lower first gear. As said previously don't use overdrive, won't hurt any thing to cruise at 3000rpm. In my truck 3000rpm in 4th gear is 80mph
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Senior User
Joined: Apr 2004
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From: Fort Hood (Texas)
I checked everything.. My truck seems to be ok.. I noticed a lil slip in 1st the other day.. But I think it might of been operator error.. Some reason I have this problem when I backup and then go into 1st to take off I seem to slip the clutch.. Im still concerned about the smell.. When I was trying to climb that hill that I got stuck at with the light.. I was at 3000rpms with the clutch off and not moving.. My dad and his friend said that could be clutch burning that I smelt.. but my other friend that was with me said it smelled like brakes.. Everything seems to be in order tho working wise.. So i'm going to take it easy for the next few weeks and see how she handles..
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Joined: May 2004
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From: Indiana
nice work drizzt-- and i have a towing question..how many of you guys use just a ball on your bumper, and who uses a welded on hitch? I really would like to haul my dads full size bass boat around but I dont want to hurt my bumpers frame any, do you guys think the bumper/bumper frame would make a 60-70 mile drive just on the ball and bumper?
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 1,344
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From: Sioux Falls SD
I use the bumper hitch. I pull a Starcraft Tent camper that weighs 2700lbs. Camper and truck are level when towing, so I figure why spend the $ on a hitch with the same capacity. The bumper hitch is rated for 5000lbs and 500 lbs tounge weight. I di replace the standard flat four wire harness with the factory 7pin round plus flat four from Ford parts for $55.00. Just a matter of unplugging one and plugging in the new one, then I drilled a hole to mount the new bracket. Looks factory.
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Senior User
Joined: Apr 2004
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From: Fort Hood (Texas)
I have a Class III Towing Hitch bolted to my frame.. Came with the truck when I got it... Thats all I use, and have ever used on any of my trucks.. My old 93 Ram Diesel had a Welded On Class III Hitch and a Hide-A-Way 5th Wheel.. I use to pull all kinds of crap with that ol diesel.. It was a pullin machine! Had the best Cummins I6 Diesel that was produced before all the 24V bullcrap.. Had 1 Ton Suspension, 4.10 Rear End, 5 Speed Manual with Low Gear.. It was a 1/2 Ton that could pull anything a 1 Ton could pull 
Senior User
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 382
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From: Prairieville, Louisiana
A ball on a bumper would be fine for a bass boat. Did it for a long time, but then started pulling cars on a trailer and spent the 115$ on a hitch. Noto to exspensive and better safe than sorry. Plus you never have to worry or think about it again. I jerked a 7500 forklift stuck in the mud with my bolted on hitch and it didn't fase it. Can't do that with a ball on a bumber. Mind you my truck is 2wd.