will she or won't she?
Thread Starter
|
New User
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 6
Likes: 0
will she or won't she?
Hello first time poster here. I have a question about towing. I have a 1994 F150 with 300 straight 6 engine. I am wanting to pull a 27' travel trailer. I will pull 100-150 miles park it for 10 weeks while I am working out of town then pull it back home. I do not intend to travel across the country, just these miles 1 or 2 times a year. What do you experienced haulers think? I am sure an F 250 would do the job better, but that is out of the question right now, (kids in college). Thank you for any help.
Calvin
Calvin
Freshman User
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 33
Likes: 0
Towing
As I recall the F-150 has a higher towing capacity due to it's lower gross weight. So pulling should be fine as long as you use a low enough gear, and dont' push it too hard with an auto. I have an F-250 and have pulled a 20'er many times with the 351 and a manual. For me it's just a matter of how much fuel do I want to burn. At 45 mph there isn't a whole lot of wind drag, but at 60 there is.
Rod
Rod
Posting Guru
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 1,006
Likes: 2
The gear ratio is going to be the deciding factor on how well you are going to pull the hills. Hopefully you have 3.55s minimum, preferably 3.73s or 4.10s. If you have 3.08s, its gonna suck. Get under the truck and get numbers off the tag on the differential and post them, that will tell us what you have.
Do you have an equalizer hitch? If you do not, think about getting one. Either way you would benefit from air bags or helper springs.
My dad used to tow a 28' travel trailer with a '94 F150 SC short box with the 302, E4OD, and 3.55 gears. It handled the trailer nicely with a good brake controller, sway control, equalizer hitch, and air-bags. He towed it a lot and had no problems. Only problem was that most decent size hills meant 2nd gear and 35 to 40 mph. Got his '97 F250 4x4 with the 460 and 4.10s and that truck did not even know the trailer was there!
Do you have an equalizer hitch? If you do not, think about getting one. Either way you would benefit from air bags or helper springs.
My dad used to tow a 28' travel trailer with a '94 F150 SC short box with the 302, E4OD, and 3.55 gears. It handled the trailer nicely with a good brake controller, sway control, equalizer hitch, and air-bags. He towed it a lot and had no problems. Only problem was that most decent size hills meant 2nd gear and 35 to 40 mph. Got his '97 F250 4x4 with the 460 and 4.10s and that truck did not even know the trailer was there!
Senior User
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 223
Likes: 0
From: Kaukauna, WI
You're only going 100-150 miles. Take your time. Don't drive it on OD. I wouldn't worry so much about helper springs for such a short, infrequent trip. Make sure your tires are properly inflated (adding a few extra psi won't hurt either). If you have any BIG hills to pull in the 3 hour max trip you're going to make, one gear lower, put your 4 ways on, and let the engine do it's job.
Post Fiend
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 23,849
Likes: 20
From: McKenzie River
Trending Topics
New User
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 12
Likes: 0
I agree, you should be fine for such a short trip. I've got a 26' camper. take my word for it, at least sway bars and breaks. Nothing more scary than having wind or a tractor trailer pass you by and that thing starts swaying out of control. That's when the trailer breaks come in handy to straighten you out.
FTE Stories
Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts
10 Things Every Truck Owner NEEDS (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalyptic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer
Joe Kucinski
2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)
Brett Foote
Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies
Joe Kucinski
AEV FXL Super Duty - the Super Duty Raptor Ford Doesn't Make
Brett Foote
Lobo Vs Lobo: Proof the F-150 Lobo Should Be Even Lower!
Michael S. Palmer
Ford's 2001 Explorer Sportsman Concept Looks For a New Home
Verdad Gallardo
10 Best Ford Truck Engines We Miss the Most!
Joe Kucinski
Thread Starter
|
New User
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 6
Likes: 0
It looks like I have 3.55 according to the tag. I do have an equalizer hitch and I am putting on trailer brakes. It will be all 2 lane roads and not to many hills here in central Illinois. Thanks to everyone that replied
Calvin
Calvin
Super Moderator
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 40,024
Likes: 1,520
From: Maine, Virginia
Tim