F150 tow ??
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Freshman User
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From: Colorado
F150 tow ??
I have a 2000 F150 4x4 XLT supercab w/ the 5.4L (3.55's,offroad & tow packages and the stock 17" wheels/tires). I was think of towing out my 5K lb. Jeep from Denver, Co. to Moab, UT. on a dual axle car hauler (18ft, approx. 1200-1500 lbs).
Is this something i'll be okay with doing or am I looking for trouble? Obviously I would take it slow and easy. I do have trailer brakes set up and plan on using them. The round trip milage will be around 600-700 miles total.
Is this something i'll be okay with doing or am I looking for trouble? Obviously I would take it slow and easy. I do have trailer brakes set up and plan on using them. The round trip milage will be around 600-700 miles total.
Last edited by sw99; Jan 24, 2006 at 12:05 AM.
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Joined: Jan 2006
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From: Shreveport, LA
sw99,
You should be fine. You have enough truck, just don't use the overdrive gear if you have one (even if you have a standard transmission). The Jeep should be short enough to adjust its location on the trailer to get the trailer tongue weight correct unless you have a very short trailer. If the Jeep's suspension is tighter than the trailer's, you shouldn't have to suck it down very much. If perhaps the Jeep has a soft suspension and the trailer has a stiff one, you would want to tie the Jeep down by the frame and tighten it down to compress the suspension enough so as to minimize suspension travel during transit. You'll get a smoother and safer ride that way. Also, when you say slow and easy, it sounds as if you are on the right track but if you haven't done it before, be especially careful and use lower gears in the mountains particularly when decending. Just my opinion.
Good luck and enjoy the scenery,
Jerry
You should be fine. You have enough truck, just don't use the overdrive gear if you have one (even if you have a standard transmission). The Jeep should be short enough to adjust its location on the trailer to get the trailer tongue weight correct unless you have a very short trailer. If the Jeep's suspension is tighter than the trailer's, you shouldn't have to suck it down very much. If perhaps the Jeep has a soft suspension and the trailer has a stiff one, you would want to tie the Jeep down by the frame and tighten it down to compress the suspension enough so as to minimize suspension travel during transit. You'll get a smoother and safer ride that way. Also, when you say slow and easy, it sounds as if you are on the right track but if you haven't done it before, be especially careful and use lower gears in the mountains particularly when decending. Just my opinion.
Good luck and enjoy the scenery,
Jerry
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From: Colorado
Originally Posted by jebtruck
sw99,
You should be fine. You have enough truck, just don't use the overdrive gear if you have one (even if you have a standard transmission). The Jeep should be short enough to adjust its location on the trailer to get the trailer tongue weight correct unless you have a very short trailer. If the Jeep's suspension is tighter than the trailer's, you shouldn't have to suck it down very much. If perhaps the Jeep has a soft suspension and the trailer has a stiff one, you would want to tie the Jeep down by the frame and tighten it down to compress the suspension enough so as to minimize suspension travel during transit. You'll get a smoother and safer ride that way. Also, when you say slow and easy, it sounds as if you are on the right track but if you haven't done it before, be especially careful and use lower gears in the mountains particularly when decending. Just my opinion.
Good luck and enjoy the scenery,
Jerry
You should be fine. You have enough truck, just don't use the overdrive gear if you have one (even if you have a standard transmission). The Jeep should be short enough to adjust its location on the trailer to get the trailer tongue weight correct unless you have a very short trailer. If the Jeep's suspension is tighter than the trailer's, you shouldn't have to suck it down very much. If perhaps the Jeep has a soft suspension and the trailer has a stiff one, you would want to tie the Jeep down by the frame and tighten it down to compress the suspension enough so as to minimize suspension travel during transit. You'll get a smoother and safer ride that way. Also, when you say slow and easy, it sounds as if you are on the right track but if you haven't done it before, be especially careful and use lower gears in the mountains particularly when decending. Just my opinion.
Good luck and enjoy the scenery,
Jerry
<O
</OIt does have the auto tranny and I will for sure keep the OD off when towing. I'm just a bit apprehensive since I have never towed the Jeep up there before and don't want to goof anything up. The Jeep suspension is very soft so I’ll look into securing it correctly. Now I wish I would have got the 3.73 gears. But then again, I maybe tow once a year if that.<O
</OThanks again!<O
</O
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Joined: Nov 2005
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From: Big Red country
If your truck is Medium Wedgewood Blue, it sounds exactly like the one I traded in last Fall. Anyway, you won't have any problems other than climbing the mountains. The 5.4 is great, but it is lacking power when you max it out, I know. I overloaded my truck all the time with trailer weights exceeding book limits. Your under the max for that truck, but your close and given that you will be climbing steep grades, you might find it slowing down going up. Just turn off the OD and watch your temps if its warm out that day.
Good Luck and enjoy the mountains. I envy you. I haven't been out there since last winter. I went to Idaho through Wyoming and Utah. It is always worthwhile. Except Wyoming, its flat and boring, in parts anyway.
Good Luck and enjoy the mountains. I envy you. I haven't been out there since last winter. I went to Idaho through Wyoming and Utah. It is always worthwhile. Except Wyoming, its flat and boring, in parts anyway.
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Joined: Dec 2005
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From: Scottsdale
F150 tow
SW99:
I drove my '03 F150 Crew Cab, same motor, same gears but 2WD from Phoenix to Ft Worth to tow back our 56 F100 (4600lb total) with no problems. Not as many mountains as you hit, but the truck did fine. If the tranny hunts lock the OD out and the truck ran fine around 3500 RPM at 50MPH up the hills. I rented a UHAUL trailer (big mistake!) and couldn't move the center of gravity. If I could I would have been able to eliminate the little bit of sway I had. If your brakes are good and you use them as little as possible (as slow down as up!) you'll be fine.
Good luck, let us know how it went when you get back.
Billy
I drove my '03 F150 Crew Cab, same motor, same gears but 2WD from Phoenix to Ft Worth to tow back our 56 F100 (4600lb total) with no problems. Not as many mountains as you hit, but the truck did fine. If the tranny hunts lock the OD out and the truck ran fine around 3500 RPM at 50MPH up the hills. I rented a UHAUL trailer (big mistake!) and couldn't move the center of gravity. If I could I would have been able to eliminate the little bit of sway I had. If your brakes are good and you use them as little as possible (as slow down as up!) you'll be fine.
Good luck, let us know how it went when you get back.
Billy
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From: Colorado
Well I am feeling better about this already. I have a Prodigy brake controller so that helps out quite a bit. I qould care less about how long it takes me to get there, it beats driving my 6.17 
geard heep up there and lots more room 
. As much as I want a diesel, I can't justify it yet. I don't drive many miles per year and when I do it's short 10 miles trips back and forth.
geard heep up there and lots more room . As much as I want a diesel, I can't justify it yet. I don't drive many miles per year and when I do it's short 10 miles trips back and forth.
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Fleet Owner
Joined: Jan 2004
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From: Brentwood,CA
it will do fine. also as stated no need to lock O/D out all the time only when going through hills or when it hunts.
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From: Colorado
Originally Posted by scafes
If your truck is Medium Wedgewood Blue, it sounds exactly like the one I traded in last Fall. Anyway, you won't have any problems other than climbing the mountains. The 5.4 is great, but it is lacking power when you max it out, I know. I overloaded my truck all the time with trailer weights exceeding book limits. Your under the max for that truck, but your close and given that you will be climbing steep grades, you might find it slowing down going up. Just turn off the OD and watch your temps if its warm out that day.
Good Luck and enjoy the mountains. I envy you. I haven't been out there since last winter. I went to Idaho through Wyoming and Utah. It is always worthwhile. Except Wyoming, its flat and boring, in parts anyway.
Good Luck and enjoy the mountains. I envy you. I haven't been out there since last winter. I went to Idaho through Wyoming and Utah. It is always worthwhile. Except Wyoming, its flat and boring, in parts anyway.
And here is the pig i'll be towing
Fleet Owner
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 26,007
Likes: 575
From: Brentwood,CA
should be fine. I have a 2003 expy with the 5.4 and i beat the snot out of it. i pull 14,000 lbs with it on the ranch and 10,000 lbs street. it tows good for what it is and has been reliable. you should have zero issues.
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From: Colorado
Originally Posted by EJL96PSD
Hey I live in Denver too, If you have any problems and need help let me know I will come tow it for ya, I will use any excuse to get to moab! I have a PSD.
thanks for the offer. I think i'll be okay though, it's not but 300 miles or so. I am jelous of the PSD 