first time towing, some questions

[mva5142]

My family and I are moving to michigan next week and I am towing my wifes van up there so we can all ride together.

I have a 1999 f250 crew cab with 127,000 miles on it. I purchased in February and love it. We are towing my wifes minivan in a car hauler trailer from uhaul, total weight of trailer and van should be about 6000 lbs.

This is my first time towing with this beast so just checking to see if there is anything special I need to do. Truck is stock and has michelin ltx 235/85/16 tires with only 2500 miles on them.

Also, do any of you guys that travel much have a website to check highway conditions. We are leaving from houston heading east on I-10 to hammond, LA and north on 55 to chicago and wanted to check highway construction. Any ideas would be appreciated.

Thanks.

Matt

[SmokeyWren]

Originally Posted by mva5142

This is my first time towing with this beast so just checking to see if there is anything special I need to do.

Practice.

First, find a deserted highway where you can see both directions for at least a quarter-mile or so. Then, without the trailer, get up to highway speed and stop as quick as you can. Panic stop. Slam on the brakes and hang on, and don't get off the brakes for any reason. Learn how that ABS feels when you need to stop in the shortest possible distance.

Then hook up the loaded trailer and do that same panic stop again. Notice the difference in "feel" with the trailer pushing on you, then with the trailer's surge brakes modulating as well as your ABS modulating. It's a wierd feeling, but the quickest way to stop is to stand on the brakes and don't turn loose. Assuming your ABS and brakes are in good condition.

If either of your practice panic stops makes the truck go sideways or otherwise causes you to almost lose control, the truck is not ready for prime time. Get the ABS or the brakes fixed before you get on the road. If the trailer brakes don't work good, then get U-Haul to fix them before you get on the road.

Other than that, just plan ahead and drive careful. Realize that you can't stop on a dime, and drive accordingly.

[drcampbell]

Secure the van to the trailer by the van's frame. You want the trailer's suspension to absorb all the suspension travel; you do not want the trailer and its load jouncing at different rates or in different directions. Tighten the tiedowns and compress the van's springs sufficiently to assure that the tiedowns will never go slack when you hit a big bump. It wouldn't hurt to block up the van's frame partway before securing the tiedowns.

Make sure you have adequate tongue weight, and remember that tongue-weight recommendations are minimums. If the hitch, tongue and GVWR can handle it, there's no reason not to put a thousand pounds on the tongue. The more tongue weight, the further forward the trailer's center-of-gravity and the more stable it will be.

Even though you won't be anywhere near 80,000 pounds, abide by all the 80,000-pound rules - truck lanes, truck speed limits, et al - particularly in heavy traffic. Maybe even hours of service rules. Just because you're running only 16,000 pounds doesn't mean your stopping distance is any better than a semi's, or that you can swerve out of the way any faster.

Know the height of your (combined) vehicle and heed vertical clearance signs.
Be aware of your trailer height...

Know the length of your vehicle and don't let your tail end obstruct cross streets or railroad crossings. Remember that your trailer turns a different, shorter radius than you do. By day, the trailer's shadow can help you locate the end of the trailer. By night, the trailer's license plate light.

When you get to Michigan, there's a local custom that people entering the freeway always yield to people already on the freeway, so don't ever slow down to let someone in. It'll just confound things as they try to slow down to enter behind you.

Some highway condition data is available at MDOT - Michigan Department of Transportation .

[SpikeEng]

Originally Posted by mva5142

This is my first time towing with this beast so just checking to see if there is anything special I need to do.

If you drive fast and erratic, other drivers will give you plenty of room.

[LMJD]

you do not want the trailer and its load jouncing at different rates or in different directions.

That's exactly what will happen if you secure the van by the frame. Chain the rear axle independently with chains on each side. Chain the front from a proper suspension point, chain on each side.
On a long trip like that and enough rough roads, chaining the frame will still allow enough bounce and flex that it's a good way to end up with loosened binders, chains, etc., especially on concrete freeways with expansion cracks.
I think other guys here that have driven low-boys and hauled all types of trucks and heavy equipment will agree, there's less tightening up along the way chaining to unsprung components when ever possible.

[reba]

I really believe the advise of "Secure the van to the trailer by the van's frame" is NOT the correct procedure.

Warning to all: Don't believe everything you read on the internet.

[mva5142]

Thanks for the advice. I have worked on farms and hauled hay trailers and such and lots of boats, so I am used to pulling a trailer, although I haven't towed anything in a while.

However, I have noticed the brakes on the f250 are a lot different than my old f150. They have to be able to slow down a lot of weight quickly. I have had several unintended panic stops here in houston traffic and they have worked great.

Anything in regards to the truck specifically. What spare parts do you carry. When I purchased it I changed the oil and filter, fuel filter, air filter and the upper and lower radiator hoses. I had the CPS done a few weeks ago and plan on changing the serpentine belt before we leave and keeping the old one as a spare.

I plan on setting the cruise at 62 and just point her north and see where we go. I think I should be able to tow in OD as most of the trip won't have hills.

Thnaks again for all the advice.

Matt

[LMJD]

and plan on changing the serpentine belt before we leave and keeping the old one as a spare.

While you're at it, check for any radial play (bad water pump brg) by grabbing fan blades and checking for play. You might also check for play in your driveshaft U-joints. Lots of people don't think about them until they give trouble. Unless they've changed, Ford, in their infinite wisdom or cheapness, have always come out with non-zerk fitting U-joints, so they don't last forever. Hope you have a trouble-free trip.

Also after coming out of a restuarant, etc, if you've parked out of sight, be sure to check your chains and binders before leaving. I've heard of low-lifes loosening or stealing them just for kicks when the driver's not around.

[boatpuller]

Originally Posted by mva5142

We are leaving from houston heading east on I-10 to hammond, LA and north on 55 to chicago

Inless you enjoy city traffic, I'd suggest a slight change in route. Take 55 morth to 57 north to 70 east to Indianapolis, where you'll grab 69 north to MI. You'll miss St. Louis and Chicago by doing this, but gain Indy. It's a smaller city with less traffic, and should make a less stressful trip. Total miles should be similar.

Oh, and don't forget to air up your truck tires for the extra load, the spare too.

[mva5142]

Just thought I'd update. The trip went great. Averaged 14.4 mpg over the course of the trip. A little higher the first two days, but had some strong headwinds the last day that affected it more.

The truck was awesome. First time towing with a diesel and it was amazing. Set the cruise on 63-65 mph and just cruised. When we hit a long hill, the turbo would kick in, the rpms hardly budged, speedo never dropped and we just started passing people. It was cool! The truck was also amazingly stable. Never really knew the load was behind us except when starting from a light or stop sign, and even then it wasn't bad. Stopping was good.

A few questions from a newbie to diesels. What exactly does the turbo do? Just push more air into the combustion chamber or something more. This is my first turbo vehicle and don't really know the answer.

Also, the powerband on these trucks really seems to pick up about 25 mph and 2500 rpm. When taking off from a stop, the truck would accelerate to about 25 or so, and then once you got there it would go like a scalded dog if you pushed it. Getting on and off highway was a breeze.

Boatpuller: Should have listened to you more. We did take 57 around st. louis, but into the south of chicago and then another highway east to michigan. Met one of Illinois' finest where 57 turns into a toll rd. Got me doing 65 where it changed to 55. Was very nice, and just got a warning, but there were people passing me! I think it was the out of state plates.

All in all the trip was great. We have two kids under 6 and I could definitely see pulling a camper in our future. It was that relaxing and enjoyable.

Thanks for all the advice. I appreciate it.

Gods Blessings,

matt

[Hensley Ron]

You moved TO Michigan. Sure you've got the right state? Well, we've got lots of room. Hensley Mfg. is in Davison, just east of Flint. Give us a call when you're ready to take the plunge into the RV life. Of course, now you have to pay sales tax. That'll teach ya.

Welcome and buy your snow blower early to avoid the rush.