โMay-24-2015 11:50 AM
โJun-07-2015 04:49 AM
โJun-02-2015 03:57 AM
itguy08 wrote:I got like 6.5mpg at 68mph and it jumped to 8mpg at 62mph, so I am not sure what keeping it under 60mph would have done. Make sure you lock out 6th gear, that matters a lot too.badercubed wrote:
Advice from someone who towed a similar size/weight trailer with a 2013 Max Tow...
It will tow fantastic on two-lane 55mph state roads. Plenty of power and you can cruise at 62mph with no problem. Then biggest issue I had was on the NYS Thruway and I-81 going from Alex Bay to Rochester where it was wide open and was particularly windy but not terrible. I felt the crosswinds and passing vehicles were definitely cause for some white knuckle driving. I got off the Thruway and finished the trip on US20 from Auburn to Canandaigua and it towed great.
Thanks for the advice. We're not against a truck upgrade either and are going to watch this very carefully as we are aware we are at the upper edge of the capabilities of this F150.
I will say that we took it to storage yesterday and it was somewhat windy (flags were doing a little dance) ahead of a thunderstorm and it handled fine. Wasn't blown around at all even on the 65 mph part of highway. Don't know if that was due to the dealer's recommendation of the Equalizer 14k hitch for this unit or just dumb luck.
About the worst thing is the bouncing feeling going over some of the wonderful PA "paved" roads. I've got new shocks in the rear and from what I read it may be either my tires (still the P rated not inflated to max), hitch adjustment, or maybe air bags. It's not bad on the main roads and at highway speeds but on the back less smooth roads it's noticeable. But I read its an issue with all sorts of trucks - 1/2 tons, 3/4 and 1 tons have it too.
I don't want to see my fuel economy though - put about 75 miles on the trailer and maybe another 50 or so and I'm at 1/2 tank. Some may have been all the idle time getting it into place at home and the storage facility. I'm already bracing for single digits in the MPG area.
โJun-01-2015 07:29 PM
โJun-01-2015 07:02 PM
โJun-01-2015 06:56 PM
โJun-01-2015 06:25 PM
cmcdar wrote:
I too would like some input regarding the "porpoising" or se-sawing sometimes going down the road.
Is a little acceptable or is it a sign that something is wrong.
I had not a good trip home from the dealership where I purchased my 19" hybrid. I purchased a weight distribution hitch and electric brake controller from them and had it installed by them. The hitch was not installed correctly the TV ball was 4-6 inches higher than the TT hitch so my camper had it's nose up in the air going home. On top of that, we were being chased by a bad rain storm that caught up to us as we got home.
Anyway we were doing some swaying (enough to feel that it was dangerous).
I changed the height of the hitch and it rides much better. But it still feels like I can feel some bouncing going on.
Any help or opinions?
โJun-01-2015 02:17 PM
โJun-01-2015 01:40 PM
badercubed wrote:
Advice from someone who towed a similar size/weight trailer with a 2013 Max Tow...
It will tow fantastic on two-lane 55mph state roads. Plenty of power and you can cruise at 62mph with no problem. Then biggest issue I had was on the NYS Thruway and I-81 going from Alex Bay to Rochester where it was wide open and was particularly windy but not terrible. I felt the crosswinds and passing vehicles were definitely cause for some white knuckle driving. I got off the Thruway and finished the trip on US20 from Auburn to Canandaigua and it towed great.
โJun-01-2015 06:43 AM
itguy08 wrote:Advice from someone who towed a similar size/weight trailer with a 2013 Max Tow...
Did you get it yet?
I was in your shoes Friday. We fell in love with the Open Range LT272RLS back in March and ordered one. Came in Friday and it was my fist time towing anything with my truck (nothing like diving in). It's the same length as yours - 35' bumper to hitch (31' box).
Followed the advice of the dealer and everyone else - take it slow, take turns wide and watch the wheels. I was pooping bricks. Especially when they made me pull it out of the service bay!
Towed the 60 miles home just fine. First turn out of the dealer's was a right. 2nd turn to the highway was a right turn. Same deal. Then 55 miles of highway driving. Passed by cars, trucks, etc and no sway at all.
Much easier than I ever imagined. We have a Max Tow F150 Ecoboost and it handled the trailer excellently. A little porpoising but I think that was made worse by my P tires not aired up all the way and a full tank of water the dealer put in the trailer. You could tell it was back there but to was not unwieldy, even in a somewhat panic stop.
Took some getting used to but after a few miles I was good enough and it will only get better with time.
Backing was tough but I slowly got the hang of it. It was pretty easy once you learn which way to turn the wheel and realize little wheel corrections mean big turns at the rear end.
You can do it!
โMay-30-2015 05:40 PM
โMay-27-2015 05:41 AM
โMay-27-2015 12:09 AM
Bill & Kate wrote:
You are thinking correctly, and seem to understand the problem - which is more than half the battle. If you can adjust your mirrors so you can see where the wheels are tracking it is a big help - especially until you get used to it. Swing as wide as possible, and don't cut the wheels until you can see the trailer wheels are about to pass the obstruction. Also be aware that the hind end of the trailer swings the opposite direction, so make sure you know what is over there too.
Take it slow and careful, stay alert, and it will come to you in time .....
โMay-26-2015 05:08 PM
โMay-26-2015 04:26 AM
cmcdar wrote:
I am new to towing, but not new to camping. My tt is just a 19 footer BUT I still need practice maneuvering it.
Yesterday (Sunday), for the first "practice session" I went out to an empty business parking lot. Lots of room NO CARS!
I brought with me 4 orange traffic cones so I could practice turns and backing into "campsites".
I will go back again next Sunday. If I run over a cone, NO PROBLEM. If I run over someone's Buick, BIG PROBLEMS.
It was fun. Security came by, I thought they would stop and check me out. NOPE, went on by like they see it all the time.
Have fun and be safe