First ever tow (your thoughts!!)
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Freshman User
Joined: Mar 2008
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First ever tow (your thoughts!!)
2004 F150 Reg Cab 4x4 with the 5.4 ... all stock with the factory tow hitch.
Towing a Uhaul trailer with my '67 Pontiac Lemans on it ... Lemans weighs about 3600lbs, unsure on the trailer.
Gonna be about a 6-7hr trip on the interstate. This is the first time i have towed anything this large before, though im sure its nothing for some folks.
Any Tips, tricks, hints? Plenty of room for braking and acceleration, im guessing ... make sure the car is latched down tight?? lol
Thanks!
Towing a Uhaul trailer with my '67 Pontiac Lemans on it ... Lemans weighs about 3600lbs, unsure on the trailer.
Gonna be about a 6-7hr trip on the interstate. This is the first time i have towed anything this large before, though im sure its nothing for some folks.
Any Tips, tricks, hints? Plenty of room for braking and acceleration, im guessing ... make sure the car is latched down tight?? lol
Thanks!
Senior User
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 375
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I think the u-haul trailers use a surge brake so when ever you apply your brakes the trailer hitch activates brakes on the trailer. If not, a trailer brake controller is a wise purchase for trailer elec brakes. If the truck has the tow package it should be prewired for the controller.
Check tire air pressure, I usually go a couple of pounds over suggested in the manual.
If auto and 3;73 axle, overdrive should be fine on flat roads, hills take OD off.
55 mph, car and trailer weigh as much as your pickup.
Tow my 442 a lot and it weighs a little more and trailer is approx 2500 never had a problem, watch your speed please, I may be on the same road!
Check tire air pressure, I usually go a couple of pounds over suggested in the manual.
If auto and 3;73 axle, overdrive should be fine on flat roads, hills take OD off.
55 mph, car and trailer weigh as much as your pickup.
Tow my 442 a lot and it weighs a little more and trailer is approx 2500 never had a problem, watch your speed please, I may be on the same road!
Posting Guru
Joined: Jan 2009
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From: Mattawa Washington.
You will need to get in the habit of turning wider on corners since the trailer will track inside of the tow vehicle, the sharper the turn the more the trailer will short cut inside. Also suggest you set your mirrors pointed out a little more to help watch the trailer when turning..
Allow more distance for stopping, and even following vehicles, choose lower gear,(slower speeds) going down hill till you are sure the motor can hold the load, continious brakeing can really sneak up on you and leave you with no brakes at all from heat fadeing.
Check your mirrors way more often, every 9 sec. is good habit, watching load, traffic, a glance will do. and watch your temp gauges more..
Check tie downs and saftey chains and hitch, every stop. Good habit to have..
All this is very easy to do and will make you more cofortable in knowing all is well with your trailer and car. Have a safe trip...Doug.
Allow more distance for stopping, and even following vehicles, choose lower gear,(slower speeds) going down hill till you are sure the motor can hold the load, continious brakeing can really sneak up on you and leave you with no brakes at all from heat fadeing.
Check your mirrors way more often, every 9 sec. is good habit, watching load, traffic, a glance will do. and watch your temp gauges more..
Check tie downs and saftey chains and hitch, every stop. Good habit to have..
All this is very easy to do and will make you more cofortable in knowing all is well with your trailer and car. Have a safe trip...Doug.
MMNC (SS)(Ret)
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 11,602
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From: SE Georgia
you'll be fine
the U-haul trailers have surge brakes built in
does your truck have the Tow Package (look at bumper, will have 4-pin & 7-pin connections)?
There is a sticker on the trailer that states the dry wieght. I know their 6x12 trailer is a hair over 2,000 lbs dry. basically the same as a car hauler. So do some dirty math and say you'll be towing 6,000 lbs.
Easy
the U-haul trailers have surge brakes built in
does your truck have the Tow Package (look at bumper, will have 4-pin & 7-pin connections)?
There is a sticker on the trailer that states the dry wieght. I know their 6x12 trailer is a hair over 2,000 lbs dry. basically the same as a car hauler. So do some dirty math and say you'll be towing 6,000 lbs.
Easy
Senior User
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 424
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From: New Jersey
Turns are your main concern. Like was mentioned above just take them wider and you will be fine. I pull a 17 ft car trailer and 30 ft toy hauler with mine and Know problems at all. Take your time and use your head. This is not a race and you and the car want to get to point B just like you left point A..
Mark
Mark
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Just remember to watch for tractor trailers going by you on the highway. If the trailer you are towing is larger enough it will feel like they are sucking you towards them when they fly by. Just move toward the shoulder when you see them coming. I tow a 25 foot travel trailer at 7000 lbs loaded and have no problems.
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Junior User
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I regularly tow my toy-hauler which is close to the limits of the truck when fully loaded. You'll find that you truck will tow that with no problems. One thing to add to the good advice already given is to drive w/ the overdrive off, otherwise you'll find the truck constantly hunting for gear when you get to any hills. I would also avoid using the cruise control when towing, although I have been know to use it occasionally when towing, but only for short times on slight downgrades to rest my foot.
Senior User
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 424
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From: New Jersey
43Duc,
What kind of tow hauler do you have? Here is a pic of mine?
<a href="http://s540.photobucket.com/albums/gg359/muddedprairie/?action=view¤t=1232377846.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i540.photobucket.com/albums/gg359/muddedprairie/1232377846.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>
I have 2-big 4x4 quads that i put in ours.
Mark
What kind of tow hauler do you have? Here is a pic of mine?
<a href="http://s540.photobucket.com/albums/gg359/muddedprairie/?action=view¤t=1232377846.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i540.photobucket.com/albums/gg359/muddedprairie/1232377846.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>
I have 2-big 4x4 quads that i put in ours.
Mark
Junior User
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 84
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From: Richardson, TX
Can’t over emphasize keeping the OD off unless you’re in a stretch where you can let it run 65+ for at least a couple miles. Also, easy on the brakes. You never how well U-Haul’s surge brakes are going to work.
Senior User
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 449
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From: Americas' hat (Canada)
Check the nut on the ball. Make sure it's tight.
Or...s I sadly learned a few years ago... you can hear the trailer make it's stop by hitting your tailgate.
The ball was still attached to the hitch...it just wasn't connected to the receiver anymore.
Or...s I sadly learned a few years ago... you can hear the trailer make it's stop by hitting your tailgate.
The ball was still attached to the hitch...it just wasn't connected to the receiver anymore.
Thread Starter
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Freshman User
Joined: Mar 2008
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Made it from NY back to Ohio, no problems at all!
I was fairly impressed with the 5.4 ... never had an issue at all moving. Cruised at an easy 64-65 most of the way with no problems.
Now ive got my car back and can continue workin on it! Thanks everyone!
I was fairly impressed with the 5.4 ... never had an issue at all moving. Cruised at an easy 64-65 most of the way with no problems.
Now ive got my car back and can continue workin on it! Thanks everyone!