towing ?

[Hellbound]

NOOOBIE TOWING??? I have a 02' 7.3 psd with stock gears, and towing a enclosed 24f5t steel trailer[not a light weight aluminin] with a 5000 pound waggy in it... so how bad will this be on long hauls. and is it safe? Also what upgrades should I do be for I embark on some 300 mile trips? for got I hae not tranny temp gauge or pyro gauge they are on the list..

[DSW]

You shouldn't have too much of a problem with that weight (7k guessing) unless you drag it up steep inclines all the time. You don't say the stock rear, 3.73 or 4.10's? I have a stock 2000 7.3 with 3.73's and have never had problems towing any weight behind the truck including our big 20' box trailer loaded with tools, heavy dump trailers of stone (10K+) and equipment (7-10k). I don't pull mountains with it but never had problems with hills locally. I've made a couple long runs with the 12K flat equpment trailer to pick up light loads (5k total).

A good tranny cooler is a must, and a temp gauge won't hurt. Oh yeah electric brakes and a good brake controler.

[nissancrawler]

Originally Posted by Hellbound

NOOOBIE TOWING??? I have a 02' 7.3 psd with stock gears, and towing a enclosed 24f5t steel trailer[not a light weight aluminin] with a 5000 pound waggy in it... so how bad will this be on long hauls. and is it safe? Also what upgrades should I do be for I embark on some 300 mile trips? for got I hae not tranny temp gauge or pyro gauge they are on the list..

Good lord, a half ton would do that.

[Hellbound]

this trailer prolly is in the 3-4k range, w/ jeep and gear around 10k. also don't know off the top of my hear what gear ratio is think 4.10's but not sure. truck has 4 in lift also.

and as I already stated I'm a NOOBIE TOWER

[ky scrambled]

Originally Posted by Hellbound

this trailer prolly is in the 3-4k range, w/ jeep and gear around 10k. also don't know off the top of my hear what gear ratio is think 4.10's but not sure. truck has 4 in lift also.

and as I already stated I'm a NOOBIE TOWER

You will be fine with that load. Other than making sure the load is secure the only thing to worry about on the truck is the Transmission and it getting hot. If you don't romp on the truck and drive it sensible then you shouldn't have any problems.

[crashnzuk]

What size tires are you running with that 4" lift? That will make a big difference in how it performs and how the transmission likes it.
Travis..

[Hellbound]

35's, also what is the best hitch assemble to get it is a bumper pull trailer. Is their a swaybar kit that I can addon to the exsisting tung assembly or am I worrying too much?

[Never Monday]

shouldn't an 02 have a trans temp in the cluster?

hitch it up and drive around town. see how it does, get familiar with it.

[Hellbound]

no tranny temp gauge..sux

[lessan]

Originally Posted by Never Monday

shouldn't an 02 have a trans temp in the cluster?

Even if it does, the Ford gauges might as well be Idiot lights. They don't tend to show anything too useful until it it nearly too late.

[ky scrambled]

Originally Posted by Hellbound

no tranny temp gauge..sux

just do what you can to keep the RPMs at/under 2500 and yer golden.





This is with 3.73s...

[DSW]

Try and get an actual weight on the waggy and trailer. You want to stay under the GVW of the trailer. In many states you will need to get a class A licence if your trailer goes over 10K. Some states will exempt this if you say under 26K total. However, many states have made changes that require the class A licence if the trailer goes over 10K regardless of total weight. It's a bad time to find out from the DOT cop who stops you. Don't be surprised if its hard to find this info out from your DOT. They kept trying to tell me to get me to get a CDL to get a class A licence, even though PA does have a nonCDL class A licence.

Depending on where you drive you may be required to pull on to scales at the weigh stations. The only times I've stoped have been in trucks over 14K, or big trucks with trailers. However many places do require all trucks with trailer to pull on to the scales. I don't pull trailers on enough roads with DOT weigh stations to tell you when you need to pull on to the scales. Maybe some one else can post this info.

[48willys]

My dad tows a 36ft 5th wheel travel trailer with his 06 F250 psd. The only mod he has is the edge chip. Has had no problems. The trail weighs in around 14k His trans temps fine even through the mountians in West VA. Like everyone else says, tow it around town first and get comfortable. Hope that helps.

[Hellbound]

yes I will be driving it around to get comfotable with it.

[48willys]

Originally Posted by DSW

Try and get an actual weight on the waggy and trailer. You want to stay under the GVW of the trailer. In many states you will need to get a class A licence if your trailer goes over 10K. Some states will exempt this if you say under 26K total. However, many states have made changes that require the class A licence if the trailer goes over 10K regardless of total weight. It's a bad time to find out from the DOT cop who stops you. Don't be surprised if its hard to find this info out from your DOT. They kept trying to tell me to get me to get a CDL to get a class A licence, even though PA does have a nonCDL class A licence.

Depending on where you drive you may be required to pull on to scales at the weigh stations. The only times I've stoped have been in trucks over 14K, or big trucks with trailers. However many places do require all trucks with trailer to pull on to the scales. I don't pull trailers on enough roads with DOT weigh stations to tell you when you need to pull on to the scales. Maybe some one else can post this info.

I can tell you that in Ohio, as long as it is for non-comercial use, you do not need a CDL regardless of weight. That is how the large coach companies sell their rigs with air brakes. Private use= no cdl. I know that each state is different. You should be able to check the state government web site. They will spell out all of that info