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Terrible Towing

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Old 06-10-2013, 08:47 PM
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Default Terrible Towing

Well guys... I had my truck towing my dads mowing trailer today and I think it weighs around 4500lbs and omg it took forever to speed up. Like it was very pathetic. I am leveled with 35s but I still don't think it should be that bad. Any suggestions on how to improve my towing problem?
Old 06-10-2013, 08:57 PM
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What engine/gears?
Old 06-10-2013, 09:01 PM
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Originally Posted by F-150 freaak
Well guys... I had my truck towing my dads mowing trailer today and I think it weighs around 4500lbs and omg it took forever to speed up. Like it was very pathetic. I am leveled with 35s but I still don't think it should be that bad. Any suggestions on how to improve my towing problem?
What year is the truck?
What engine?
How many miles?
Did you maintain the truck?
What gears do you have?
Was it exactly 4500lbs and not significantly more?

Did you have o/d off?
What was the grade you where going up?
What fuel did you use?
What was the temp, humidity, etc.
What altitude where you up on?


A lot of things could have affected the towing performance.
Old 06-11-2013, 08:19 AM
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I have a 2004 with the 5.4 and tow a 7300lb travel trailer (close to 8500 fully load with our butts on board) all over the southeast including the mountains of NC (where I live). While it's no speed demon towing in the mountains it does really well and on flat land gets up to speed pretty quickly. My truck has a tow rating of 9600lb the way she is dressed out and does a fine job.

As the others stated, how is your truck equipped?
Old 06-11-2013, 09:08 AM
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Tall tires + tall gears = no low end grunt. If your going to tow loose the 35s or pack a lunch.
Old 06-11-2013, 09:12 AM
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Originally Posted by lunatech
I have a 2004 with the 5.4 and tow a 7300lb travel trailer (close to 8500 fully load with our butts on board) all over the southeast including the mountains of NC (where I live). While it's no speed demon towing in the mountains it does really well and on flat land gets up to speed pretty quickly. My truck has a tow rating of 9600lb the way she is dressed out and does a fine job.

As the others stated, how is your truck equipped?
X2 mine is an 04 Fx4 5.4 with 3.55s and it pulls just fine. Last week it pulled a flatbed with a tractor on it 12,000lbs total (not recommended) just fine. And my truck has 34's.
Old 06-11-2013, 09:19 AM
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I know I'm out of my "age group" here, but at least you don't have a 4.6 and it struggles to pull 3000 pounds.....
Old 06-11-2013, 09:41 AM
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Originally Posted by F-150 freaak
Well guys... I had my truck towing my dads mowing trailer today and I think it weighs around 4500lbs and omg it took forever to speed up. Like it was very pathetic. I am leveled with 35s but I still don't think it should be that bad. Any suggestions on how to improve my towing problem?
Yeah man I went through the same thing a month ago.... got my boat from storage and tucked my tail between my legs... I have 35s with 3.73 gears and man i thought my motor was bad. there is just NO power with the 35s to tow... its actually pathetic.. I hate to say that bc I love my truck but towing was horrible........... I am getting regeared soon.. from what I have read and been told thats the only way i'll see better results...
Old 06-11-2013, 11:00 AM
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Originally Posted by jt94
I know I'm out of my "age group" here, but at least you don't have a 4.6 and it struggles to pull 3000 pounds.....
The 4.6 will pull just fine. Just takes longer or get to speed. Hauled many things with mine. Heavy stuff like tractors and all too. Did just fine. I do however have an edge evo and had it on tow tune
Old 06-11-2013, 11:29 AM
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Originally Posted by User-One

What year is the truck?
What engine?
How many miles?
Did you maintain the truck?
What gears do you have?
Was it exactly 4500lbs and not significantly more?

Did you have o/d off?
What was the grade you where going up?
What fuel did you use?
What was the temp, humidity, etc.
What altitude where you up on?

A lot of things could have affected the towing performance.
Year: 05
Engine: 5.4
Mileage: 163,000
Maintianed: Oil changed every 3-4k. Tires rotated at oil change always kept at correct pressure. And some other things.
Gears: 373 LS
It was probably just around 4500 lbs. not exactly 4500 tho

Overdrive was off. I live in Florida so there is no grade it's all mostly flat. Fuel is from BP and its just regular 87 octane. Temp was around 91 yesterday and it was kind of humid. I'm am unsure if the altitude here in central Florida. I live almost at the base of the Lake Wales Ridge and its the highest (or one if the highest) parts in Florida but its all pretty flat.

I know I'm not gonna get great towing with 35 Toyo M/Ts. And i know lots of things could have affected it. But my dad pulls it with his Ram 1500 2wd (hates the truck, wants an ecoboost f150) and its stock and you can't even tell that the thing is back there.


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