Thanks for all the replies! Next question, deciding our route we are torn between going north along I-90 and seeing Yellowstone and mt Rushmore. The why wants to go through Utah to Bryce Canyon, Vegas, Grand Canyon, Petrified national Forest, Albuquerque New Mexico, Dallas ,Texas then into Savannah. Anyone driven these routes? Which attractions are better or more worth the drive. We have 3 kids, if that adds to which route is better. This is a military move so I will have to make up the difference in mileage if I go over my allowed mileage, which is ok because we are turning it into a vacation. Any recommendations or ideas are welcomed. Feel free adjust routing as required to see the sights!
I would map out a route that skirts the higher elevations and mountain passes for less heat buildup, especially in regards to the transmission. Possibly, due east through Montana and then south east through Nebraska to get past the rockies. You CAN'T avoid all of it for sure, but you can certainly avoid the more stressful routes--- through Oregon and Utah for example.
Whenever I tow, I stay around 60 mph simply because I feel the rig handles well at that speed and for fuel economy. Cut down weight wherever possible. You don't need a full tank of water, especially if your staying at CG's in route. This will reduce your GCW by a few hundred lbs. Groceries can be restocked along the way at Wally World. (Walmart) They're a great pit stop and can be found along most major highways.Reduce the amount of clothing and re-evaluate the other things you bring with you. If it's not absolutely necessary and has weight to it, leave it home. Lots of luck and safe travels.
Woops! You got that response in as I wrote my reply. Your desire to see all of those wonderful places negates anything I just suggested. Your plans put you in the heart of the Rockies, so Good luck and if it were me and I wanted to do the same thing, I'd at least try to stay on the interstates as much as I could.
PBR Streetgang, does your truck have a transmission cooler? All automatics have a cooler built into the radiator, that is not enough! To pull a trailer you need a larger tranny cooler mounted in front of the radiator. Your truck should already have this, check it out, and make sure you have one.
Good luck and happy camping.
2005 F150 XLT Supercab LB Heavy Payload 5.4, 4.10
2007 Jayco Jayflight 31BHDS
Back-up camera on the TT with infrared & microphone
Prodigy
ScanGauge II
Reese duel cam hitch, U-bolt style ($40 at a garage sale)
2 canoes, 3 kayaks, & camping dog (Tootsie)
TURBODOG1000 wrote: PBR Streetgang, does your truck have a transmission cooler? All automatics have a cooler built into the radiator, that is not enough! To pull a trailer you need a larger tranny cooler mounted in front of the radiator. Your truck should already have this, check it out, and make sure you have one.
Good luck and happy camping.
The short answer is yes, however being the somewhat through planner I am; I didn't trust the owners manual regarding my Gear ratio, which = towing capacity. Long story long when I bought the truck it I was told it had the towing package, it had a nissan hitch, tow mode switch etc. After going through the owners manual I realized that I didn't have the tow mirrors which led me to believe that the 1st owner simply had the nissan dealer install a Nissan hitch. here in lies the problem:
The sticker on the side of the TT says it weighs 4800lbs with full propane tanks.
The owners manual says the dry hitch weight is 615lbs
truck numbers are as follows:
GVWR: 7200
GAWR FR: 3849
GAWR RR: 4200
And my truck with passengers weighs approx 6200.
I plan on loading the truck and/or trailer with 1000-1500 lbs bringing the trailer to 6300lbs worst case scenario
The GCWR is actually 13,000 not 15,100 (as I originally thought) because I'm geared at 2.94 instead of 3.36.
Which after hours at the dealer with them scratching their heads, I jacked it up, chalked the tire, rotated the drive shaft which 1 revolution of the tire = almost 3 turns of the shaft. I'm geared at 2.94, which in turn limits my towing capacity to 7100 lbs instead of 9400. Which was advertised to me when I bought the truck 6 months ago.
My planned weight of the trailer will be 6000-6500lbs. Not sure if that is enough margin for the long road trip to georgia.
Not sure if I should try to make the trip over the cascades and rockies with only 700lbs to play with regards tow capacity? Or maybe look at trading in for another Truck, maybe a 3/4 ton diesel?
MitchF150 wrote: You should be fine rig wise. Don't be afraid of the higher rpms that you might see, as that's just the engine working and it's supposed to do that.
What I find the most relaxing in driving long distance in general, but especially when towing the TT is slowing down just a little slower then the main flow of traffic and ride in the slow lane.. Anybody that is going faster will just pass, as it's hard to miss a huge white 'billboard'!
Once they pass, they are on their way and you are on yours. When there is merging traffic, you gotta watch what you 'think' they are going to do and hope they stick to it! Most times, they will zip ahead and want to get in front of you anyway, but you will find those that can't decide or expect you to slow down for them... All you can do then is decide to slow down or not...
I also like to stretch my legs every 2-3 hours. Most times that's for a gas stop anyway, so it works out. I'll also hit a rest area when the need comes or someone else is in need..
Figure on about 50 miles for every hour on the road, no matter what your actual speed is.. On your stops, make a habit of going around your entire rig looking and feeling the tires and making sure everything is where it's supposed to be. I also try to take a peek inside the trailer, just to make sure everything is riding along as it should.
That certainly is not 'everything' you need to know of course, but just some stuff off the top of my head..
Take your time and take care and have a safe trip!
Mitch
X2
Go Mark Martin? 2003 F-350 SRW CC/LWB 4X4 7.3PSD
2011 Keystone Cougar 327RES
Happy Campin'
Randy
Piedmont area of NC
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Most times, they will zip ahead and want to get in front of you anyway, but you will find those that can't decide or expect you to slow down for them... All you can do then is decide to slow down or not...
