Towing Issue
Junior User
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 55
Likes: 0
Look for a commercial scale in your area, it's usually only $5-6 bucks (at least around here) to weigh in. Lower the jack and disconnect your truck so it's only trailer weight, no truck weight.
Load the trailer as you would for a race, so you get an accurate number.
But keep in mind I was running my Sporttrac at about 110% of Ford's rating for many miles. I even had the "evil exploding" Firestone tires on it for most of the time. If you don't think the truck is being overworked, and you only pulling 70-80% of Ford's rating I wouldn't lose any sleep over it. Change the fluid annually if you want to be sure, then you can find problems before they get serious.
Load the trailer as you would for a race, so you get an accurate number.
But keep in mind I was running my Sporttrac at about 110% of Ford's rating for many miles. I even had the "evil exploding" Firestone tires on it for most of the time. If you don't think the truck is being overworked, and you only pulling 70-80% of Ford's rating I wouldn't lose any sleep over it. Change the fluid annually if you want to be sure, then you can find problems before they get serious.
Senior User
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 424
Likes: 0
From: New Jersey
I have an 06 FX4 and i tow alot often with my truck... Have 35 inch tires change the oil every 3k had the trans done 2 times now and i have 75k on the truck... I just added F250 rear Leaf springs to it today. I had helpers on there from JC Whitney and they were junk. So i'm hopping the springs will help me there. I tow a 18 ft car trailer and a 30 ft toyhauler with 2 big lifted quads in it... And no problems or worries here. 8K is fine for your truck.
Mark
Mark
Junior User
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 83
Likes: 0
From: Pennsylvania
I tow a big heavy trailer as well.
Two suggestions, get the 17 inch tires, they will make a big difference (from 20 to 17 would be almost like going to the next bigger size gears in the rears!)
Invest in a Anti-Sway, leveling hitch! It will make your ride much safer and smoother, your truck wont squat much at all then!
Two suggestions, get the 17 inch tires, they will make a big difference (from 20 to 17 would be almost like going to the next bigger size gears in the rears!)
Invest in a Anti-Sway, leveling hitch! It will make your ride much safer and smoother, your truck wont squat much at all then!
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
Leadsled Coupe
1999 - 2003 7.3L Power Stroke Diesel
18
Apr 3, 2004 07:03 AM
