Ford F150 Forum - Community of Ford Truck Fans - First long towing experience

- 2015 - 2020 Ford F150 (https://www.f150forum.com/f118/)

- - First long towing experience (https://www.f150forum.com/f118/first-long-towing-experience-316573/)

Quote:

Originally Posted by AbitaPro (Post 4360006)

JCat - I saw all those videos, I thought they were funny and then stupid dangerous.

Is that how most people tow their trailers? Pedal to the floor, exceeding the speed limits, dodging other vehicles?!?! Overheated brakes!

I must have missed the test where they had to SLAM on their brakes, because afterwards only a pile of wrecked aluminum, their load and injured people would have been scattered all about, not to mention the other innocent drivers and their passengers. And then we could have seen how the jaws of life are tested.

I don't think they exceeded speed limits and weaved in and out of traffic...you must have seen another video.

Also, not to be a spoiler, but I've got some experience on the 'jaws'. Aluminum's easier than steel. ;)

Quote:

Originally Posted by mmatheson (Post 4360007)

Tires can have a huge effect with sway when towing. Factory tires, such as the Goodyears most of these trucks come with, have soft sidewalls for ride comfort. The soft sidewall allows the tread on the tire to move side to side slightly, which amplifies the swaying. A good 10 ply truck tire can make a world of difference when towing/hauling heavy loads however they make for a stiffer ride when not towing. Just my experience.

Yep, factory tires are marshmallows.

Quote:

Originally Posted by mmatheson (Post 4360007)

I agree. Some years ago I had the Firestone tires on Ford Super Duty, the ones that failed and came apart. Firestone had developed the tire for The Super Duty, with extra heavy and stiff side walls. Long story short, I had one fail, right rear, but the truck handled well, was at 65mph and gradually slowed down. Then reading about tires, E rated they're were some comments about Michelin having soft side walls, I didn't understand, it was E rated, so shouldn't all E rated tires be the same? So I went to Goodyear and had them replace all with their E rated tires. Looked fine and left, but on the highway home, my heavy Super Duty felt and drove as if it were drunk! Kept going a bit, then turned around and went back to Goodyear, they said no problem and aired up to 80PSI. Left and tested same at 80psi, then returned and had them put back old Firestone tires and my spare. As it turned out, I had to go right back to Firestone and bought 4 new, same xploding tires, as they were the only ones with that extra stiff sidewall and that made a huge difference driving. And yes they Firestone did resolve their tire failure issue, they paid for my 1 tire and rear quarter panel bed damages and Ford and Firestone had a divorce! Ok I kept the story short.

Quote:

Originally Posted by twakefield (Post 4359234)

I bought a truck not a minivan! If I load it to the specs I expect that I will still have good steering and visibility. In my opinion when you are nose up and sagged back you lose steering and also visibility. I get it if you make the poor decision to overload your truck but that wasn't the case here.

I agree with an earlier post that these trucks are turning into grocery getters. Just overall this F150 seems like it is a step down from my 2012 and I hate saying that because my wife tried to convince me to keep the 12.

Yes if I was pulling a camper full time I would get a 250... But a truck, any TRUCK should be able to pull without a ton of sag!

Heck I had a distribution hitch and I literally had it has supportive as I could!

Well if you find a fix for your negativity, the sag won't bother you as much. Geez.

Casita 17' Liberty

From Apple Valley Ca to Twin Lakes, Bridgeport Ca
And return trip
Pulled easy but I am thinking 2800 pounds maximum. Did not require tow mode and transmission stayed cool even up steep long grades...
Getting s bigger trailer ��
Tires are very important for towing.
Sag can be fixed with an air lift system.
Picture was of truck life MPG. Removed as some may have wanted tow MPG

Quote:

Originally Posted by isthatahemi

Well if you find a fix for your negativity, the sag won't bother you as much. Geez.

Holy smokes seriously this was meant to be an objective post. I have gone out of my way to speak highly of this truck. To the point of fixing the the seat issue on my own time... Also I took the time to be interviewed by Ford Social and the positive comments I made with be published soon.

When you do a quick review like this my goal is to paint the picture as it is not fake numbers and make others think it is worse or better than it is. I am an engineer and I deal with real expectations not fake ones.

Rant over read my other posts and see how negative I am about the truck. Look how many thanks I have gotten...

Quote:

Originally Posted by twakefield (Post 4363629)

Tim this is just the internet... Don't let them get to ya.

I was probably the most negative about my 2015 F150 so I think I have you beat there. I am alot more positive about the truck now since the few visits to the dealer and went ahead and got my tires and lift put on.

Tim don't worry about the internet folks, factual reviews, good or bad, are appreciated by most!

Good review that I echo for the most part.. Is the transmission programming that much different even in tow mode.. Many people used to say they towed with an EB in sixth gear with little or no gear hunting and with big loads.. The OP said he was in 4th most of the time.. Wtf? Mines a 5.0 so I don't tow effortlessly, but in my 2012 it never towed in 4th, but this 2015 does. Not necessarily a bad thing other than the mileage.. Even then, the 5.0 is relatively effortless if you don't focus on it being in with 4th or 5th gear as opposed to 6th... Still quiet and smooth...

I'm not sure I love the engine brake idea of tow mode... Is that good for the engine long term?