Towing long distance...

[Sandman73]

Well everyone I am getting ready for my big move from Washington To Iowa.. I am towing a 5x8 enclosed trailer.. So i am a little nervious.. i have a 03 Mounty does any one have any advise besides becare full.. i got the 4.0 V6 so i know inclinging i am probably gonna slow down quite a bit.. So any advise would be great.. I havn't pulled anything with this vehicle yet so not 100% sure what to expect...

Thanks

 

[bisjoe]

If it's the same as the Explorer your towing capacity is about 3,100 lbs, so remember not to fill that trailer with books. They add up the pounds more than you'd expect. I'd guess that trailer weighs close to 1,000 empty.

Other than that, my best advice is if you haven't towed recently always park where you can start again without backing up, and slow way down (pull over and let others pass) if it's windy. While the 4.0 is rated to tow that much it's definitely going to bog down on a grade, and going down it's going to be hard on the brakes so turn off the O.D.

You'll use more gas so be aware of where the next town is or maybe put a 5 gallon can in the trailer.

 

[Melon]

Do you have the factory towing package? A trans cooler is always a good thing to have. A brake controller is always nice to have, but with a 5x8 enclosed trailer - you will probably be OK. Just give yourself extra space to slow down and stop.

On flat ground, you'll probably be OK to tow in overdrive, but in the mountains - I would certainly turn OD off to help save your trans. I'm sure others will have some tips that I didn't think of.

Yeah - backing up can be a pain, especially if it's a single axle so try to avoid that as well. On a side note, where at in Iowa? I'm just across the Mighty Mo River in Nebraska

-Melon

 

[fordbluefamily]

I regularly tow a 5x10 open trailer with ATV's behind ours without tow package. I will say that it towed it better than my 01 4.6 F150! While not better, it tows it smoother than my 05 F150 5.4. I think the IRS absorbs the "trailer shock" much smoother than a live axle. The worst thing about towing an enclosed is the wind resistance. Don't overload it and keep the weight balanced properly in the trailer, and it will be a breeze.

 

[Gatorblazer]

The biggest issue in towing long distances is the trailer and its condition. Make sure that the tires are in good shape, that you have a spare ( a good spare), triple check your safety chains and coupler EVERYTIME YOU STOP (pin included), check or repack your bearings or better yet carry a spare hub assembly. I cannot tell you the amount of boats that I've seen sitting on the side of the freeway because a hub failed and the owner didnt have the ability to fix it right then and there. hub assemblies can be bought at academy or a local trailer store for pretty cheap (>$60) and thats better than having a failed hub that could equal trailer and truck rollover.

 

[Phoenix99]

Pulled 4000 pounds with mine (4.0l tow pack) 8 hours straight with stopping time to time to cool the tranny.

Oh yea and the trailler didnt have any brakes , I guess it was a good test.

My Taurus was in the trailer

 

[ummduh]

I towed about 5k or so plus the Ex loaded to the gills from WI to Ca about a year ago..

4.0. Mountains sucked, foot to the floor and about 25 miles an hour, but it pulled through just fine. That was also in 110 degree or so heat. (I have a pic somewhere..)

I do have the tow package though.

No trailer brakes sucked, and I REALLY should have had a weight distro hitch.. If you got on the brakes hard the front would go into antilock and you'd keep going.

This is a 6x12 trailer. Can you tell it is a bit overloaded?? I didn't realize it till we got here.

 

[ummduh]

here is 115 degrees out:

http://i96.photobucket.com/albums/l196/ummduh_2006/thetripaway/IMG_1391Medium.jpg

This was in the Las Vegas area.

We got about 8mpg for the trip avg. Overdrive wasn't even an option, it was not able to hold speed in OD, even on flat ground. I kept to around 55/60mph for the trip.

Definetly get a spare tire with rim. Two if you can swing the room. I had my tires delaminate while sitting in the parking lot of our hotel in Vegas, I assume due to the insane heat. You ever try to find trailer tires in Vegas on a sunday morning??
Yea, that took about 5 hours of our day.

 

[Hitchhikingmike]

here is 115 degrees out:

http://i96.photobucket.com/albums/l196/ummduh_2006/thetripaway/IMG_1391Medium.jpg

This was in the Las Vegas area.

We got about 8mpg for the trip avg. Overdrive wasn't even an option, it was not able to hold speed in OD, even on flat ground. I kept to around 55/60mph for the trip.

Definetly get a spare tire with rim. Two if you can swing the room. I had my tires delaminate while sitting in the parking lot of our hotel in Vegas, I assume due to the insane heat. You ever try to find trailer tires in Vegas on a sunday morning??
Yea, that took about 5 hours of our day.

Wow, is the air conditioner even capable of keeping you comfortable at 115 outside?

 

[ummduh]

Yea. Nothing skipped a beat the entire time.

It was so hot in Vegas, this box of gummy worms we had melted down and eventually turned into a solid gummy block.

Our kids' butt paste melted down and seperated into 3 distinct layers. It was nuts.

 

[Sandman73]

towing long distance

ok so just an additional question if i have the 4.0 v6 2003 Mounty, what approx will my MPH go down to if i am hauling a 5x8 enclosed trailer??? it will be all freeway driving on my trip..

 

[Gatorblazer]

depends on your right foot. If you mean MPG, that will depend on the totol weight of the load and the amout of hills you are going up and down.