Towing with my EB
06-25-2011, 11:58 PM
#11
Other than the firmer ride, you can easily forget the trailer is back there (if loaded properly). It just does it so easily... you dont have to mash on the throttle or anything, just gently press the accelerator and the truck smoothly accelerates. It *might* hit 3,000 RPM before shifting gears.
Of course, being a half ton truck, be sure the trailer is loaded properly. I've learned that if your helper springs aren't touching (for a 7,000 pound trailer), you don't have enough tongue weight. Put more weight in the nose of the trailer until the helper springs are completely engaged. This will really stiffen the ride up and make the trailer sway a lot less. The rear of the truck will be squatted down a little more than the front if the helpers are totally engaged, but it will drive VERY nice. I weighed mine with the trailer loaded in this manner, none of the axles were over weight.
Of course, being a half ton truck, be sure the trailer is loaded properly. I've learned that if your helper springs aren't touching (for a 7,000 pound trailer), you don't have enough tongue weight. Put more weight in the nose of the trailer until the helper springs are completely engaged. This will really stiffen the ride up and make the trailer sway a lot less. The rear of the truck will be squatted down a little more than the front if the helpers are totally engaged, but it will drive VERY nice. I weighed mine with the trailer loaded in this manner, none of the axles were over weight.
06-26-2011, 08:39 AM
#12
If it's a bumper pull trailer it needs to be slightly lower in the front or like he said it will bounce all around. It's pretty touchy too. I have air bags. If I pull my deckover empty it rides better with only 5 psi in the bags. Then if I put a load on it, I just add enough air so that it sits slightly lower in the front
06-27-2011, 01:11 AM
#13
Thanks. Could that be the cause of "porpusing"? I think that is what it is called. Had some "forward, backward" motion going on.
06-27-2011, 09:49 AM
#14
Senior Member
For just the stock setup with the 3 springs, the back end will be squatted a bit lower than the front. You need that third spring totally engaged - touching the spring above it for its entire length, and compressed a little bit.
So here's a question - for a rear-heavy load that you can't do anything about (Most boats, for example) should you add 'ballast' to your truck box until it is using its entire sprung capacity or would that just be wasting fuel for no reason?
So here's a question - for a rear-heavy load that you can't do anything about (Most boats, for example) should you add 'ballast' to your truck box until it is using its entire sprung capacity or would that just be wasting fuel for no reason?
06-29-2011, 12:07 AM
#15
I towed my 30 foot cougar fifth wheel about 500 miles and enjoyed the towing of it. I had a 2005 Dodge 2500 5.9L diesel before so a couple of things I noticed between the two. The eco pulled the trailer just as well as the Dodge did, however it stopped it much better then the Dodge. The integrated brake and tow/haul on this transmission worked flawlessly. I really enjoyed the automatic down shifting and seemed to have more brake control then the controller I had plugged into the Dodge. I knew the trailer was there, however I had strong crosswinds and head winds both ways, which made the front end seem light. I did have my air bags up higher going and when I decreased them on the way back seemed to take some of the lightness off the front end. Fuel mileage was about the same going as my brothers 2006 Dodge, however going home I had a head wind and got about 3 mpg less than he did.
It is easy to forget the trailer, and maybe over time will do that with the Ford, but I did it numerous times with the Dodge.
Next trip I will try premium and see if I get better mileage, and work on my weight. Was over on the rear axle by 400 pounds but 2000 under the max at about 15200 pounds.
It is easy to forget the trailer, and maybe over time will do that with the Ford, but I did it numerous times with the Dodge.
Next trip I will try premium and see if I get better mileage, and work on my weight. Was over on the rear axle by 400 pounds but 2000 under the max at about 15200 pounds.
06-29-2011, 11:52 PM
#16
Originally Posted by nmfiredawg
I towed my 30 foot cougar fifth wheel about 500 miles and enjoyed the towing of it. I had a 2005 Dodge 2500 5.9L diesel before so a couple of things I noticed between the two. The eco pulled the trailer just as well as the Dodge did, however it stopped it much better then the Dodge. The integrated brake and tow/haul on this transmission worked flawlessly. I really enjoyed the automatic down shifting and seemed to have more brake control then the controller I had plugged into the Dodge. I knew the trailer was there, however I had strong crosswinds and head winds both ways, which made the front end seem light. I did have my air bags up higher going and when I decreased them on the way back seemed to take some of the lightness off the front end. Fuel mileage was about the same going as my brothers 2006 Dodge, however going home I had a head wind and got about 3 mpg less than he did.
It is easy to forget the trailer, and maybe over time will do that with the Ford, but I did it numerous times with the Dodge.
Next trip I will try premium and see if I get better mileage, and work on my weight. Was over on the rear axle by 400 pounds but 2000 under the max at about 15200 pounds.
It is easy to forget the trailer, and maybe over time will do that with the Ford, but I did it numerous times with the Dodge.
Next trip I will try premium and see if I get better mileage, and work on my weight. Was over on the rear axle by 400 pounds but 2000 under the max at about 15200 pounds.
No more stressing about towing, it was a pleasure watching it do it's thing. Awesome