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I used the truck 2 weeks ago to pull the racecar.
Trailer and car + jerrycans were around 5000 lbs.
The truck is 4400 lbs and has a 3.73 gear ratio.
I'm using a WD hitch and tried to level the trailer, but still don't know my tongue weight.
The F150 was like 2'' higher in the back unloaded, and became level with the trailer attached.
Overall, it went well. I had 2 previous vehicles before to pull the same configuration, the last one was a 2005 BMW X5, 4.8L, and the one before, a 1992 E250 extended with a 351cid; 5.8L for the younger ones ;-)
Fuel consumption: I was afraid that it would cost more than the V8 X5 because the little V6 would be boosting all the time, but I was surprised to see a slight diminution in fuel. X5 was around 19L/ 100km, and the F150 did 17.2 L/100km. And since the F150 uses regular gas compared to the X5, it costs less overall. Good!
The old E250 was around 24 L/100km, but we talk about old technologie here.
Power and Stability: The F150 had no problem with power, even if it is a 2.7L. For stability, in straight line and smooth curves, it is fine. The only time I didn't like the feeling, was doing a rapid line change, or too fast in a curve. I felt the rear a bit loose. The X5 was not doing that. Maybe because the distance from the axle to the bumper is longer on the F150? Maybe because the X5 had 315 low profile tires vs the F150 265 and high profile??
Brake controller: Worked very well. I put the initial braking power to 'high' and used the maximum braking power 'level 10' and re-adjusted my brake lining on the trailer.
My previous brake controller in the X5 was a Prodigy P2. The Ford one works as well, I don't see a difference in performance.
All in all, it is a positive experience, I just need to be conscious of the differences between the two vehicles.
Just FYI, the old E250 was ok, but on road irregularities, once, it started to sway badly. The hitch was very far from the axle, and it was on winter tires which didn't help.
Overall, I like very much to be able to put tools and stuff in the truck bed, without being nervous to tear the leather, leak oil on carpets etc.
I like the reduced fuel bill with regular gas, the backup camera is fantastic for backing up and align the hitch ball with the trailer.
The only thing I will have to modify, is the trailer jack. The new F150 have a tall tailgate that when opened hit the trailer jack. I am careful and use a foam in between, but will soon relocate the jack 5 inch backward.
I will tow again next week. If I need to update this thread, I'll do.
I used the truck 2 weeks ago to pull the racecar.
Trailer and car + jerrycans were around 5000 lbs.
The truck is 4400 lbs and has a 3.73 gear ratio.
I'm using a WD hitch and tried to level the trailer, but still don't know my tongue weight.
The F150 was like 2'' higher in the back unloaded, and became level with the trailer attached.
Overall, it went well. I had 2 previous vehicles before to pull the same configuration, the last one was a 2005 BMW X5, 4.8L, and the one before, a 1992 E250 extended with a 351cid; 5.8L for the younger ones ;-)
Fuel consumption: I was afraid that it would cost more than the V8 X5 because the little V6 would be boosting all the time, but I was surprised to see a slight diminution in fuel. X5 was around 19L/ 100km, and the F150 did 17.2 L/100km. And since the F150 uses regular gas compared to the X5, it costs less overall. Good!
The old E250 was around 24 L/100km, but we talk about old technologie here.
Power and Stability: The F150 had no problem with power, even if it is a 2.7L. For stability, in straight line and smooth curves, it is fine. The only time I didn't like the feeling, was doing a rapid line change, or too fast in a curve. I felt the rear a bit loose. The X5 was not doing that. Maybe because the distance from the axle to the bumper is longer on the F150? Maybe because the X5 had 315 low profile tires vs the F150 265 and high profile??
Brake controller: Worked very well. I put the initial braking power to 'high' and used the maximum braking power 'level 10' and re-adjusted my brake lining on the trailer.
My previous brake controller in the X5 was a Prodigy P2. The Ford one works as well, I don't see a difference in performance.
All in all, it is a positive experience, I just need to be conscious of the differences between the two vehicles.
Just FYI, the old E250 was ok, but on road irregularities, once, it started to sway badly. The hitch was very far from the axle, and it was on winter tires which didn't help.
Overall, I like very much to be able to put tools and stuff in the truck bed, without being nervous to tear the leather, leak oil on carpets etc.
I like the reduced fuel bill with regular gas, the backup camera is fantastic for backing up and align the hitch ball with the trailer.
The only thing I will have to modify, is the trailer jack. The new F150 have a tall tailgate that when opened hit the trailer jack. I am careful and use a foam in between, but will soon relocate the jack 5 inch backward.
I will tow again next week. If I need to update this thread, I'll do.
I would get the hellwig rear sway bar. It will help a lot since ford never put one on the trucks. Also airbags might help as well but it all depends on how much towing you will be doing.
I used the truck 2 weeks ago to pull the racecar.
Trailer and car + jerrycans were around 5000 lbs.
The truck is 4400 lbs and has a 3.73 gear ratio.
I'm using a WD hitch and tried to level the trailer, but still don't know my tongue weight.
The F150 was like 2'' higher in the back unloaded, and became level with the trailer attached.
Overall, it went well. I had 2 previous vehicles before to pull the same configuration, the last one was a 2005 BMW X5, 4.8L, and the one before, a 1992 E250 extended with a 351cid; 5.8L for the younger ones ;-)
Fuel consumption: I was afraid that it would cost more than the V8 X5 because the little V6 would be boosting all the time, but I was surprised to see a slight diminution in fuel. X5 was around 19L/ 100km, and the F150 did 17.2 L/100km. And since the F150 uses regular gas compared to the X5, it costs less overall. Good!
The old E250 was around 24 L/100km, but we talk about old technologie here.
Power and Stability: The F150 had no problem with power, even if it is a 2.7L. For stability, in straight line and smooth curves, it is fine. The only time I didn't like the feeling, was doing a rapid line change, or too fast in a curve. I felt the rear a bit loose. The X5 was not doing that. Maybe because the distance from the axle to the bumper is longer on the F150? Maybe because the X5 had 315 low profile tires vs the F150 265 and high profile??
Brake controller: Worked very well. I put the initial braking power to 'high' and used the maximum braking power 'level 10' and re-adjusted my brake lining on the trailer.
My previous brake controller in the X5 was a Prodigy P2. The Ford one works as well, I don't see a difference in performance.
All in all, it is a positive experience, I just need to be conscious of the differences between the two vehicles.
Just FYI, the old E250 was ok, but on road irregularities, once, it started to sway badly. The hitch was very far from the axle, and it was on winter tires which didn't help.
Overall, I like very much to be able to put tools and stuff in the truck bed, without being nervous to tear the leather, leak oil on carpets etc.
I like the reduced fuel bill with regular gas, the backup camera is fantastic for backing up and align the hitch ball with the trailer.
The only thing I will have to modify, is the trailer jack. The new F150 have a tall tailgate that when opened hit the trailer jack. I am careful and use a foam in between, but will soon relocate the jack 5 inch backward.
I will tow again next week. If I need to update this thread, I'll do.
Nice! Thanks for the review. I see also your towing a dirty thirty. One of the reasons that I got my truck so I can tow my e46 to long distance events.
Power and Stability: The F150 had no problem with power, even if it is a 2.7L. For stability, in straight line and smooth curves, it is fine. The only time I didn't like the feeling, was doing a rapid line change, or too fast in a curve. I felt the rear a bit loose. The X5 was not doing that. Maybe because the distance from the axle to the bumper is longer on the F150? Maybe because the X5 had 315 low profile tires vs the F150 265 and high profile??
If it felt a bit loose, I'd attribute that to the wheelbase length.
Just a heads up on the regular vs premium fuel. The owners manual does state to use premium on the Ecoboost when towing. Idk if 5000 lbs is enough to warrant premium or not, but it is in the manual.
Just a heads up on the regular vs premium fuel. The owners manual does state to use premium on the Ecoboost when towing. Idk if 5000 lbs is enough to warrant premium or not, but it is in the manual.
The manual says, "To provide improved performance, we recommend premium fuel for severe duty usage, such as trailer tow."(emphasis added)
As I interpret this, premium fuel is not mandated, just recommended if the user wants improved performance. Otherwise, I understand it to say that the minimum 87 octane requirement is okay if you are satisfied with the performance. I tow a trailer weighing about 6200 lb., and I'm satisfied with the performance on 87 octane. YMMV
I would get the hellwig rear sway bar. It will help a lot since ford never put one on the trucks. Also airbags might help as well but it all depends on how much towing you will be doing.
Thanks for the suggestion. I'm just wondering what makes a greater improvement, the sway bar, or the stiffer shocks, or maybe an anti-sway device on the trailer.
I don't tow on a daily basis, so I can lift the right foot if required.
Originally Posted by sergbaja5t
Nice! Thanks for the review. I see also your towing a dirty thirty. One of the reasons that I got my truck so I can tow my e46 to long distance events.
'Dirty Thirty', LOL, it's the first time I hear this one. It fits really well its purpose.
Post a picture of your E46. (with your truck if you have one). I also had a E46, Touring, manual trans. sport pkg.
Originally Posted by lucky644
If it felt a bit loose, I'd attribute that to the wheelbase length.
Longer the truck, more stable the tow.
Ummm, the X5 is 110'' of wheelbase and my RCSB is 122''. Not a big difference, but it's still longer, and the X5 was not doing this 'looseness'.
I thing it's the tires and the suspension. The F150 is soft for the 1 or 2 first inches, the X5 had an air suspension with level sensors that was compensating. I really don't know at this point. Others also felt that looseness. I guess we will find a cure as we experiments setups.
Originally Posted by ThirtyftFL
Just a heads up on the regular vs premium fuel. The owners manual does state to use premium on the Ecoboost when towing. Idk if 5000 lbs is enough to warrant premium or not, but it is in the manual.
I didn't feel a lost of power. Maybe with a bigger load and more time 'in boost' premium would be a plus, but for my occasional and relatively light towing, I think regular will be ok.
09-06-2016, 10:13 PM
First towing experience with my 2.7L RCSB
