7000 mile trip with EB towig 9.5K lb fiver
06-23-2013, 11:38 PM
#1
Senior Member/Vietnam Vet
Thread Starter
7000 mile trip with EB towig 9.5K lb fiver
At the end of May, I began a trip with my 9500 lb fiver from Vermont to Albuquerque NM and on to Teton National Park and Yellowstone. In preparation for the trip, I replaced the Load Range D TowMax "china bombs" with LRE Maxxis tires, installed the Full-Race 3" catback for added low-end torque and installed the Wagner Tuning CAC for improved cooling as I expected temps exceeding 100 while gaining altitude. I aired the P-metric tires to 44 lbs and the trailer tires to 70. I also replaced the Group 24 Marine battery with a Group 27 for the trailer, and replaced most of the interior lights with LEDs.
Near the end of the first day, I cut a truck tire, and having failed to locate the spare tools, had to buy a new tire for the truck. I now know where the tools are located under the floor of the SCREW.
I have made towing trips up to 1600 miles before, but never with such temperature extremes and altitude changes. We had temps from 32 to 105 degrees and altitudes from 500 to 8700'.
Heading west through Arkansas where we visited family and friends, we had significant head winds from the storms that ravaged OK City. My mileage dropped from the usual 10-11 down to 9.5 and finally crept up to 10.2 by Fort Smith, Ark. Then across OK through the Texas panhandle to Amarillo where the winds were so strong that one tank was down to 8 mpg while gaining altitude concurrently. The truck never had any problem maintaining speed, but had to work harder. VT to AR 6th and sometimes 5th gear were the norm. From Ft Smith to Amarillo and Albuquerque, 5th and 4th were more likely. Speeds were usually 60-63 on the interstates. When we reached our ultimate destination of the Grand Tetons, our average trip mileage was 9.5, not as good as I had hoped, but considering the conditions, not too bad.
We were disappointed in the performance of the trailer's 13500 BTU AC at first as outside temps exceeded 100 and the inside got to the upper 80s. I googled it and cleaned the intake filter as was the primary recommendation. While replacing the filter, I found an adjacent set of vents that once opened, blew directly down into the living room during the day and we closed at night to force more air to the bedroom. After that we stayed comfortable.
I will say this: at no point during the trip out did I feel my F150 Ecoboost was not up to the task. Not once did I think that "maybe I should have gotten a Super Duty instead." The truck was stable, handled a few hard braking situations with aplomb and pulled like a champ.
A first for us, was that Gros Ventre in Teton National Park, the only open campground, had no hookups, so we dry camped for 4 days as we loved it there. After 4 days, the battery was down to about 1/3 charge. Night time temps at 7000 feet ranged from the upper teens to the upper 20s and day temps were 50-70.
I will post about the return trip later.
Near the end of the first day, I cut a truck tire, and having failed to locate the spare tools, had to buy a new tire for the truck. I now know where the tools are located under the floor of the SCREW.
I have made towing trips up to 1600 miles before, but never with such temperature extremes and altitude changes. We had temps from 32 to 105 degrees and altitudes from 500 to 8700'.
Heading west through Arkansas where we visited family and friends, we had significant head winds from the storms that ravaged OK City. My mileage dropped from the usual 10-11 down to 9.5 and finally crept up to 10.2 by Fort Smith, Ark. Then across OK through the Texas panhandle to Amarillo where the winds were so strong that one tank was down to 8 mpg while gaining altitude concurrently. The truck never had any problem maintaining speed, but had to work harder. VT to AR 6th and sometimes 5th gear were the norm. From Ft Smith to Amarillo and Albuquerque, 5th and 4th were more likely. Speeds were usually 60-63 on the interstates. When we reached our ultimate destination of the Grand Tetons, our average trip mileage was 9.5, not as good as I had hoped, but considering the conditions, not too bad.
We were disappointed in the performance of the trailer's 13500 BTU AC at first as outside temps exceeded 100 and the inside got to the upper 80s. I googled it and cleaned the intake filter as was the primary recommendation. While replacing the filter, I found an adjacent set of vents that once opened, blew directly down into the living room during the day and we closed at night to force more air to the bedroom. After that we stayed comfortable.
I will say this: at no point during the trip out did I feel my F150 Ecoboost was not up to the task. Not once did I think that "maybe I should have gotten a Super Duty instead." The truck was stable, handled a few hard braking situations with aplomb and pulled like a champ.
A first for us, was that Gros Ventre in Teton National Park, the only open campground, had no hookups, so we dry camped for 4 days as we loved it there. After 4 days, the battery was down to about 1/3 charge. Night time temps at 7000 feet ranged from the upper teens to the upper 20s and day temps were 50-70.
I will post about the return trip later.
Last edited by SkiSmuggs; 06-27-2013 at 09:20 PM.
The following 4 users liked this post by SkiSmuggs:
06-24-2013, 08:13 PM
#4
Senior Member
Sounds like a great trip. We were planning a similar vacation this summer but ended up doing some work on the house and decided to stay closer to home. Hoping to get out there next summer. Glad to hear the rig did well for you.
06-24-2013, 08:31 PM
#5
Nice mileage, I pulled a camper a week ago that weighed shy of 8k, water included. I was on relatively flat road for the trip and averaged about 70 mph for 300 miles each way. Both to and from the tank average was 8.1 mpg. I did not baby the truck and drove it normally. The return trip the camper was dry, only difference.
I agree, I never once felt like this truck was not capable. I had a weight distributing hitch with sway control. Also have factory trailer brake controller.
During the trip, I had to drive another 800 miles round trip, trailer free. Averaged 18.8 mpg at 70 mph both ways. One thing I did notice during this trip is, after towing, the truck has developed the clunky 3rd to 4th shift. I have not driven the truck much since I got back home. I am going to give it more drive time to see if it has to do with adaptive transmission. If it does not go away, I will go to dealer for TSB for rough shifting. Sorry to jack your thread, just wanted to share my trip info!
I agree, I never once felt like this truck was not capable. I had a weight distributing hitch with sway control. Also have factory trailer brake controller.
During the trip, I had to drive another 800 miles round trip, trailer free. Averaged 18.8 mpg at 70 mph both ways. One thing I did notice during this trip is, after towing, the truck has developed the clunky 3rd to 4th shift. I have not driven the truck much since I got back home. I am going to give it more drive time to see if it has to do with adaptive transmission. If it does not go away, I will go to dealer for TSB for rough shifting. Sorry to jack your thread, just wanted to share my trip info!
06-24-2013, 10:40 PM
#6
Cycle For Fun and Health
A very nice post. Thanks for sharing with all.
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06-25-2013, 09:44 PM
#9
Senior Member
Sounds like a great trip and I'm glad the truck is performing good for you! I want to see some pics soon or I will have to say it never happened. 
Drive safe!!
Drive safe!!
06-26-2013, 08:25 AM
#10
Senior Member
Glad to hear you are enjoying your visit to Wyoming. I'll wave if I see you! 
Like most, I'm looking forward to the photos.
Like most, I'm looking forward to the photos.
