Towing questions...
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Junior User
Joined: Aug 2004
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From: Chester, NY
Towing questions...
In 2-3 weeks I'm making a 1200 mile, one-way, drive (moving) from NY to MO. What all should I do to prep my truck? It's a 1984 F150 w/ the 300 I6, Auto tranny (code-W) and a 3.08 rear.
So far this is what I have... EFI exhaust manifold, Walker downpipe, One-chamber muffler on a 2.5" exhaust. Intake will be a stock intake w/ a Holley 350cfm carb on top. The radiator is getting an electric fan and custom shroud. I also have a 20kGVW transmission cooler.
I'm going to be towing a 68 Oldsmobile Cutlass (no engine) on a dolly. In the bed I'll have all my tools and tool boxes (about 200lbs worth), 3 engines (one big block, two small blocks... enough parts to make two complete engines) and all of my personal belongings and spare car parts. The bed will have about 1500lbs in it, the car weighs about 3000lbs empty.
I'm not looking to set any land speed records, just want to chug along at about 60mph to stay out of the way.
So far this is what I have... EFI exhaust manifold, Walker downpipe, One-chamber muffler on a 2.5" exhaust. Intake will be a stock intake w/ a Holley 350cfm carb on top. The radiator is getting an electric fan and custom shroud. I also have a 20kGVW transmission cooler.
I'm going to be towing a 68 Oldsmobile Cutlass (no engine) on a dolly. In the bed I'll have all my tools and tool boxes (about 200lbs worth), 3 engines (one big block, two small blocks... enough parts to make two complete engines) and all of my personal belongings and spare car parts. The bed will have about 1500lbs in it, the car weighs about 3000lbs empty.
I'm not looking to set any land speed records, just want to chug along at about 60mph to stay out of the way.
Last edited by Blasphemous; Aug 19, 2004 at 05:39 PM.
New User
Joined: Aug 2004
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I am not sure what the weight would total on the engines, but personally I think you will have some problems maintaining speed. That seems like a lot of weight. I have a 1986 F-150 with the I6. I towed my camper which weighs about 4,000 and it struggled a bit. I retired it to pleasure driving and bought the 04 F-150, what a beast. I wish you good luck though. Maybe with the modifications you have you will be O.K.Mike
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Joined: Jun 2004
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I also have an '84 F150, but its a 4x4, 4spd, 3.55 rear. Also, I'm running a autolite 2100, offy "C" intake, EFI exhast. Over the last winter I moved from Oregon to Colorado (Wyoming SUCKS in the winter). I was able to make great time, though I didn't set any speed records. I first pulled a car trailer with a falcon & then a loaded trailer, both times the truck was loaded down pretty good (probably overloaded, oops). I moved the last stuff (once again towing a falcon & loaded the truck) over about a month ago with a Uhaul F350 with a 460/auto. To tell you the truth, the 300 did better than the 460 on the hills, got better gas milage to boot. As for you, that 3.08 rear isn't really going to help you out all that much, but you'll probably make it just fine.
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Joined: Mar 2003
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From: Colorado
Originally Posted by Blasphemous
Noone can help or I've got it all covered?
I got a pair at NAPA - for about $100.
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From: Fraziers Bottom, WV
Well, it looks like you have everything covered. When you add the electric fan, make sure you drive and adjust the thermocouple. I have an 82 I6 (see signature) and pulled about 3 tons for 250 miles over mountains. As you know, with a load up-hill is slow and the temp will rise but it should not overheat (my truck did not). On low grades you should not have any problems with speed. I could maintain 65-70 mph. Make sure to check the all fliuds before the trip and re-torque the intake/exhaust bolts. If you don't have trailer brakes I would suggest them. It was wortk the cost when pulling more than a ton. I even found they were a plus on the pop-up camper when I pulled it with the truck.
A Note on the fan:
If the thermocouple pushes into the radiator, make sure the fan sits as low on the radiator as possible. The fluid level should be as high as possible and the thermocouple should be down no more than an inch of the water inlet and as far away from the fan as possible. When pulling I set the thermocouple lower and make it kick on prematurely!
A Note on the fan:
If the thermocouple pushes into the radiator, make sure the fan sits as low on the radiator as possible. The fluid level should be as high as possible and the thermocouple should be down no more than an inch of the water inlet and as far away from the fan as possible. When pulling I set the thermocouple lower and make it kick on prematurely!
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Junior User
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From: Chester, NY
Thanks for the tip(s). I think I'll be hitting some small mountains on my trip. Shouldn't be to much of a problem though.
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From: Nashville
You should be OK long as your butt doesn't drag too low from all the weight :-) Seriously... your main limiting factor is going to be that 3.08 rear. You'll be fine in the flats, but may slow to a crawl going uphill.
I'm about to tow ~4000 lbs of stuff and trailer on a 5000 mile round trip for the third time. First two trips with the stock 3.00 rear meant 25-30mph going uphill. Not fun when you're crossing the Rockies. Just finished installing a 3.50 gear over the weekend, and I can notice a big improvement in how she pulls.
I'm about to tow ~4000 lbs of stuff and trailer on a 5000 mile round trip for the third time. First two trips with the stock 3.00 rear meant 25-30mph going uphill. Not fun when you're crossing the Rockies. Just finished installing a 3.50 gear over the weekend, and I can notice a big improvement in how she pulls.
