Beginner seeking travel trailer advice
Hello all: My wife and I are considering purchasing a travel trailer, and I'm looking for any advice from experienced RVers. We enjoy road tripping with our 2 dogs, and have decided that we want some...
Forum Discussion
My 2010 F150 goes up to 9600 pounds. My 1998 F-150 is rated at 3000 pounds. There are very huge differences in what a half-ton can pull, and there are also differences of what can be pulled safely, especially in Colorado or other areas.
For a tow vehicle, some things I'd look into:
1: A brake controller. Ford's OEM TBC from 2010 onwards uses the vehicle's computer and the truck's ABS also uses the trailer's brakes. The anti-sway control is useful as well.
2: Transmission cooler. Once you hit 225 degrees, transmissions start barbecuing themselves. If you don't have one, get one.
3: Tow hitch with 7 pin. Hopefully it came from the factory, if not, it will be needed to be obtained.
4: Tow hitch pin lock. To save aggravation, go to boltlock.com and get one that fits your vehicle's key. That way, if you have your truck key, you have the key to your hitch pin.
5: Check your tires and their weight rating. Might be an unpleasant surprise.
6: Tow/haul mode or overdrive lockout. It can't hurt to flip it on just to get familiar with how it keeps the TC locked and its shift points.
7: Extended tow mirrors. Buy a set from CIPA that go on your existing mirrors if you don't have them.
8: Tailgate hinge lock. F-150 tailgates are a prize for local tweakers, so if you have not already, buy a hinge lock for it and use it. The Bully lock didn't work well for me, while the McGard version did. I've yet to try the Master lock, but it seems to be the best.
9: If you use a custom engine tuner, I'd check for a towing tune, or return to stock.
10: Change the oil before towing. Maybe even the transmission fluid.
For a tow vehicle, some things I'd look into:
1: A brake controller. Ford's OEM TBC from 2010 onwards uses the vehicle's computer and the truck's ABS also uses the trailer's brakes. The anti-sway control is useful as well.
2: Transmission cooler. Once you hit 225 degrees, transmissions start barbecuing themselves. If you don't have one, get one.
3: Tow hitch with 7 pin. Hopefully it came from the factory, if not, it will be needed to be obtained.
4: Tow hitch pin lock. To save aggravation, go to boltlock.com and get one that fits your vehicle's key. That way, if you have your truck key, you have the key to your hitch pin.
5: Check your tires and their weight rating. Might be an unpleasant surprise.
6: Tow/haul mode or overdrive lockout. It can't hurt to flip it on just to get familiar with how it keeps the TC locked and its shift points.
7: Extended tow mirrors. Buy a set from CIPA that go on your existing mirrors if you don't have them.
8: Tailgate hinge lock. F-150 tailgates are a prize for local tweakers, so if you have not already, buy a hinge lock for it and use it. The Bully lock didn't work well for me, while the McGard version did. I've yet to try the Master lock, but it seems to be the best.
9: If you use a custom engine tuner, I'd check for a towing tune, or return to stock.
10: Change the oil before towing. Maybe even the transmission fluid.
