Towing with v8 2wd

[ponkotsu]

Putting it in N to set the parking brake is excessive. Smash down parking brake, put trans in P, turn the truck off.
Turn truck on, hold regular brake, put in D, release parking brake.
If it's not even gonna be 3,000lbs I wouldn't stress the trans cooler.

For such a light load leave OD on. Unless you're driving right around 45mph because it'll be shifting in and out of OD constantly

You'd be surprised how often the parking brake doesn't hold. They have very little holding power to start with and if they are worn and rusty you need to practically stand on it to apply enough pressure to hold on a steep hill. My Mounty had the shoes worn down to nothing. Had I not done this step to test them, I would never have known the parking brake was useless. You can't rely on the Parking pawl to hold a truck especially if it's loaded with a trailer. Enough force will pop it right out.

 

[Explorer0204]

You'd be surprised how often the parking brake doesn't hold. They have very little holding power to start with and if they are worn and rusty you need to practically stand on it to apply enough pressure to hold on a steep hill. My Mounty had the shoes worn down to nothing. Had I not done this step to test them, I would never have known the parking brake was useless. You can't rely on the Parking pawl to hold a truck especially if it's loaded with a trailer. Enough force will pop it right out.

To adjust the parking brake, take off both rear tires and the rotors. There is a turn dial on the bottom that adjusts slack in the cable. You want to turn it so that the brakes are JUST rubbing a little on the "drum" of the rotor when you slide it back on. Also, you want to make sure that the pad material or any of the springs on the parking brake are in good condition. Keep in mind as well the "parking brake" is not like the old "emergency brakes" of the old days. They aren't really made to stop the car so if you apply it while in motion you are really just wearing stuff out that can't do much good. Of course in a true emergency go for it!

I am just saying this for the sake of this thread I am not suggesting that you haven't done these steps.

 

[colintrax]

I can't believe we're discussing the parking brake.....

 

[Explorer0204]

I can't believe we're discussing the parking brake.....

You have a point but by God this is a very thorough form dang it!!!!! No stone left unturned!