F150 towing from SC to TX

[mikem1977]

We have a 2009 Palomino Puma 30fqss that is stored at Myrtle Beach right now but we need to bring it to Texas.

This weekend we are driving our 2015 F150 down to SC to have an Equalizer Distribution hitch put on the trailer (and brake control) before we begin the trek back to Texas.

My question is do you think the f150 will be able to handle the long trip. The towing capacity for the truck is 9100 lbs and the dry weight of our camper is 6700. I know on paper it sounds good but this will be our first time towing and we are very nervous.

[Fordlover]

mikem1977 wrote:
We have a 2009 Palomino Puma 30fqss that is stored at Myrtle Beach right now but we need to bring it to Texas.

This weekend we are driving our 2015 F150 down to SC to have an Equalizer Distribution hitch put on the trailer (and brake control) before we begin the trek back to Texas.

My question is do you think the f150 will be able to handle the long trip. The towing capacity for the truck is 9100 lbs and the dry weight of our camper is 6700. I know on paper it sounds good but this will be our first time towing and we are very nervous.

I think you'll be ok, especially if you don't load the truck or trailer with too much stuff.

My advice: Give yourself at least one or two days of test towing/hitch adjusting before you head back home. Sometimes even a correctly adjusted hitch needs tweaking for a nice steady tow, and you have a long tow ahead of you.

[Anmacc2]

Wow Mikem.... If you weren't nervous before I'm sure you are now. Heck, I've been towing for nearly forty years and after reading all these posts all at one time I'm feeling edgy. Break it down and gleem the info you need. IMHO:
1- tires on trailer need to be checked and likely replaced.
2- check trailer brakes. May have issues from sitting a long time.
3- 7 pin might need cleaning/check running lights
4- set up weight distribution hitch correctly.
5- a transmission cooler is always a good idea if you don't have one already
6- keep it light. By that I mean no heavy cargo. Filling your gas tank is fine. Some water in the TT for flush and washing for comfort stops is fine. No need to carry full water or full waste tanks. Food, clothes, portable grill, couple of chairs, basic camp stuff.
7- get the feel of your rig. Take it slow and easy. Get the feel of stopping. That's the one that will feel strangest. Take you turns wide. Go slow. You'll get it.
8- stay in your camper overnight that's what it's made for.
9- you TV will get up to running temp within minutes and should stay pretty constant. Watch it for variations. When it's rising it indicates it's working harder. Ease up or maybe drop it down a gear. Roads incline and decline though they may appear level to the eye. On significant inclines ease up and /or drop it down a gear.
10- take it easy. Enjoy the ride and the adventure. You'll be fine. It's a pretty easy run and a great one to learn and gain experience on.

[OutdoorPhotogra]

I would also take stops to let the truck cool down every couple few hours since you are at limits.

[philh]

93Cobra2771 wrote:
Put the max tire pressure in your tires. Being an 09 model trailer, your tires are over 5 years old. Inspect them CAREFULLY for any signs of dry rot/cracking or damage. If you find any, then you need to put new tires on it before you hit the road. In fact, I'm not so sure I wouldn't put new tires on it anyway.

OP, replace the tires. Sitting for years, tires are shot.

[93Cobra2771]

The most important thing of all - keep your speed reasonable. Especially since first time towing. I'm talking 55-60mph. Oh, and your trailer tires are only speed rated to 65mph.

Put the max tire pressure in your tires. Being an 09 model trailer, your tires are over 5 years old. Inspect them CAREFULLY for any signs of dry rot/cracking or damage. If you find any, then you need to put new tires on it before you hit the road. In fact, I'm not so sure I wouldn't put new tires on it anyway.

MAKE SURE you adjust the hitch correctly. You can't just slap it on and expect it to be right. There is a sticky in the travel trailer forum on how to set up a hitch properly. I can't stress enough how important it is for you to do it correctly.

Air your truck tires up to max pressure as well.

Plan on hearing that 5.0 sing all the way home, but it will be OK. Just take your time. And yes, you are likely maxed out on all your numbers.

[Chrisatthebeach]

Since the truck is not equipped with the heavy towing package, I would consider adding an additional transmission cooler. That is a pretty long trip with a lot of weight. The additional cooler is cheaper than replacing a burned out transmission along the way.

[JD_and_Beastlet]

Not the engine or axle ratio would choose for towing, but it is what it is... I agree with the consensus that you'll be fine if you take it easy and stick to the flats.

[the_happiestcam]

RinconVTR wrote:
The biggest issue has been electronic sway control. Towing at max, has stressed this system apparently and it tries to constantly control the truck making driving miserable.

The solution...turn off electronic sway control. That was the biggest improvement.

He had to add a brake controller, so it won't have the built in sway control.

[PA12DRVR]

Without looking at real #'s, hard to tell, but having made that exact trip multiple times, a few times pushing the limit on tow combinations, I think you'll be alright.

One of your more likely problems might be having the "pickup" to merge with traffic if you get on/off the interstates near the major cities on the route.

I'd suggest emptying everything out of the truck and trailer that isn't needed, spend the nights in motels, work off the top half of your gas tank and go for it....at a reasonable speed.

Fill up before you hit the Lake Charles area and keep rolling (if you can) when going over the bridge.

[owenssailor]

Make sure you get the Equal-i-zer hitch set up properly and you should be fine. Keep you speed down and also don't have a lot of weight in your truck since you will be up near the max payload.

[RinconVTR]

Make no doubt about it...you are maxing out this truck.

One of my best buds tows nearly the very same package and he has struggled getting every fine detail in order to make it feel solid while driving.

His tongue weight tops out my 1000lb scale, which is exactly 15% of his gross.

The biggest issue has been electronic sway control. Towing at max, has stressed this system apparently and it tries to constantly control the truck making driving miserable.

The solution...turn off electronic sway control. That was the biggest improvement.

Smaller tweaks were changing a few loading techniques for better balence, adding a head tilt washer for a total of 6...which requires a lot rear end lift to pry the bars on the brackets. We also lowered the head a bit more than the book says with good results. These tweaks are very typical, nothing surprising here, but might be helpful for the OP.

[camp-n-family]

What do you mean when you say "we"? Just 2 of you? or 5 and a bed full of stuff? The reason I ask is how it copes may depend on what you plan to carry. Pulling will probably be ok but "carrying" ability is where most 1/2 tons lack. The tongue weight and 2 average size people in the truck will probably max it out on paylod. If you plan on loading the truck more, you may run into issues.

[Terryallan]

You won't have any real grades from MB to Texas. Just rolling hills on 85. after that it is pretty flat. Unless you go thru Lake Charles Louisiana. That bridge is steep

[minnow]

I think you'll be allright. Get the weight distribution bars on and take the trailer home! Having a 2015 model truck also would ease my mind also. Less things to go wrong as compared to an older truck(hoses/belts/etc.) That 5.0 has plenty of power too !