Winkeytoofly

Hello ive been lurking here and trying to figure out if this tow is gonna mess up my truck.

Just bought a 04 f150 STX 4.6L Has a tow package, 8000 hitch and 53,000miles on the clock. carfax show its been maintained every time its been up for fluid changes. No clue what my rear diff is.

Ill be towing a 94 Tbird roughly with whats all in it the weight of the car will be 3900 then add whatever a Uhaul Trailer weights.

Ill be towing from Orlando FL to Charleston SC about 380 miles. It relatively flat and straight shot.

Some questions are
Should i tow with O/D on or Off....i will be towing at 55mph max 60mph I have no cruise control.

I just dont want to tear my new truck up id rather pay the extra 400 to get a semi to bring the car if im really risking tearing up the trans or if the car+trailer excesses tow capacity.

Am i just worrying over nothing or should i be a bit worried.

KingRanch4Life

iTrader: (2)

Going up 95 i assume?? Pretty flat with a few hills.. Nothing major.. Use the o/d tow to your advantage and watch the trans oil temperature.. You'll be fine.. Do you're pmi's before you depart...

fxsts

I recently got a 2004 F-150 Heritage w/4.6 auto and 3.55 rear end. I have only towed my camper a couple times; 25ft approx.6000lbs. Tows fine, I use the O/D lockout and no cruise, of course towing a camper is like towing a parachute. I think you will be fine using O/D, just keep an eye on how much it shifts, excessive shifting is what hurts transmissions. Jim.

msdins

I think your truck should do fine. I have the 5.4 but I've pulled my camper which is closer to 7k pounds unloaded that same distance with ease through the mountains.

That being said if you can get it done for 400 I say its worth it. You are going to be getting about 10 MPG and have to drive the whole way at 55. That 380 miles will take forever.

muddymallard

I helped move my uncle from st simmons island to orlando (and back a year later ha) with one of my f150s and it has a 4.6 with a tuner and i was towing a 24 ft box trailer that was slap loaded and travled at 80mph the whole way and the only problem I had was that we moved him when it was right about 100F outside and my ac wasnt as cold as usual. You should be fine. If you are worried about it maybe look into a tuner that has a tow mode like superchips

Gatorbait2

Not being a smarta** just saying hook it up and head out, that's what's it's built for,post results.

Winkeytoofly

Thanks all, Appreciate the replies, was just interested to see everyone thoughts on it plus id be pissed if i tore up my trans cuz its worth more then the load id be hauling.

Winkeytoofly

Few Truck noob questions
1) By O/D tow do you mean turning OD off or On
\
2)PMI?
3) for a Trans oil temp gauge hard the hard to install and where (personal option) is the best place to buy one///brand.

JP2085

Sounds like nothing. I towed a Honda Pilot on a Uhaul trailer from Terre Haute, IN to Tulsa, OK (560 mi). Total weight of 6500 lbs, 2100 being the trailer (galvanized steel, less if you get an aluminum). Drove 24 hours straight only shutting off for gas. Did fine.

https://www.f150forum.com/f4/little-engine-could-97716/

KingRanch4Life

iTrader: (2)

Going north you'll hit a few hills passing through savannah into south carolina.. You'll want your O/D off for a lower gear and more rpms.. Going downhill i turn the o/d back on till I start heading up again..

PMI.. (sorry.. Military guy) preventive maintenance inspection

Was thinking we had a transmission gauge.. Disregard that..