Towing with Ford F-150

[johnnyv]

I think I'm leaning towards the f150 tho.

[hlrosenberger]

For the 5th Wheel Escape, the manufacturer has that measurement of 56 in from the ground to the top of the bed of the truck for clearance purposes. Can anyone tell me, when the vehicle and the trailer is on a flat level surface, and you make a sharp turn, how much play or clearance is in that 56-in measurement? Like do you only have like an eighth of an inch clearance beyond that 56 in, or is there a couple inches to play with? Know what I mean?

[JStelly]

Yes, I’ve never measured it but it’s at least 3-4 inches and maybe as much as 6.

[hlrosenberger]

So, that measurement on a F-250 4 wheel drive is about 58". So, in your opinion, I would still have a few inches of clearance. yes?

[Centex]

Originally Posted by johnnyv

I can't possibly blow my selection being 7 months from pickup date....can I ?

Ah, if only the passage of time made us smarter

(^joke^ - you'll do fine )

[JStelly]

Originally Posted by hlrosenberger

So, that measurement on a F-250 4 wheel drive is about 58". So, in your opinion, I would still have a few inches of clearance. yes?

Mine is an F150 with 56 inch bed rail height. So in general yes. My understanding is when you provide your bed rail height to Escape they adjust the pin box height accordingly. Others please correct me if I’m mistaken.

[hlrosenberger]

I saw a Escape 5.0 (2017 or earlier model I believe) in person two weeks ago, and I saw how the pin box has two locations. it had the "extended" standard position pin box. With the "extended" standard, the measurement from ground to the bottom of the king pin 42 3/4", while with the "retracted" pin box that measurement is 45 1/4", per Escape document. That would mean that with the "extended" pin box the hitch height would be less than with the "retracted" pin box. ? I was under the impression regardless of the position of the pin box, that 56" measurement still applies. In the same document, the lowest horizontal portion of the pin box "arm" (don't know if that is the correct term), that measurement is 17 3/8" from the ground, regardless of the location of the pin box.

[hlrosenberger]

https://cdn2.hubspot.net/hubfs/54742...7-908a7792d9a4

[hlrosenberger]

my previous post has a link to the Escape towing specifications document.

[Chotch]

Originally Posted by hlrosenberger

my previous post has a link to the Escape towing specifications document.

Your previous link pretty much tells you that 56” is tallest truck for regular trailer height. For taller trucks , to 58” you should go to trailer with raised axle. What’s the question? Fractions of an inch clearance doesn’t work in the real world.

[C&G in FL]

Originally Posted by Chotch

Much higher transmission temps? Did they they ever get to the danger zone?

They got up into the low/mid 240s (Fahrenheit). The 3.5 never got higher than the high 220s.

Sorry I didn’t respond sooner. I just noticed your question.

[Centex]

Originally Posted by C&G in FL

They got up into the low/mid 240s (Fahrenheit). The 3.5 never got higher than the high 220s.

Sorry I didn’t respond sooner. I just noticed your question.

The fluids spec'ed for modern automatics are much more heat-tolerant than 'traditional' ATF. Old rules of thumb for 'fluid damaging temps' no longer apply; in fact it's hard to find a manufacturer published temp limit spec for most modern fluids (e.g. Mercon V, LV, etc), though they do of course have their limits.

[hlrosenberger]

Thanks. I'm all new to this and I am learning.

[C&G in FL]

Originally Posted by Centex

The fluids spec'ed for modern automatics are much more heat-tolerant than 'traditional' ATF. Old rules of thumb for 'fluid damaging temps' no longer apply; in fact it's hard to find a manufacturer published temp limit spec for most modern fluids (e.g. Mercon V, LV, etc), though they do of course have their limits.

I asked the transmission specialist at the local Ford stealership what the critical temperature was for the transmission fluid Ford uses and was told if it hits 260°, replace it. Admittedly, I didn’t ask anyone else so I am taking the word of one person only. I, as you stated, could not find a manufacturer published or recommended temperature limit. Assuming that 260° is the critical point, repeated “visits” to the high 240s makes me nervous. Also admittedly, I only tow long multiple uphill grades when west of the Mississippi River as there are few extended climbs in the eastern US where I more often travel. Perhaps I am being a bit paranoid, but a “safety” margin of 11 or 12 degrees in my mind is marginal. And since the F-150 no longer has a transmission dipstick to check fluid color or to easily determine if the ATF smells burnt, I prefer the lowest possible transmission temperatures. But aside from ATF temperatures, I also prefer the power advantage of the 3.5 liter EB I mentioned in a previous post. And although it’s a minor complaint, I dislike the amount of time it takes to register motor oil on the 2.7 liter EB’s dipstick on those occasions when I perform a DIY oil and filter change. Yes, I realize that is a Mickey Mouse complaint; I’m being very picky!

[Chotch]

Originally Posted by C&G in FL

They got up into the low/mid 240s (Fahrenheit). The 3.5 never got higher than the high 220s.

Sorry I didn’t respond sooner. I just noticed your question.

Do you use tow/haul mode?

[Jim Bennett]

I just took my 2015 F-150 SuperCrew Lariat with a 6.5' bed in for it's final service under power train warranty and service warranty. It has near 100,000 km on it with 2/3's of that towing.

I was hoping they would find lots of stuff to fix up while still covered. They did a full ultimate checkup on all parts of the truck, and did replace the seals on the front axle drive pinions as one had a slight leak.

Filters, wiper blades and a few other things exchanged. They told me I had a truck in excellent operating condition. Good for another 5 years.

It tows my 5.0TA without one of those darn lift axles fantastic with no complaints along that line in the least.

[C&G in FL]

Originally Posted by Chotch

Do you use tow/haul mode?

Only in the mountains, never on the flats nor in moderate hills, steep terrain only. And although I use it on both uphill and downhill, I like it primarily for the shifting profile going down. Yet even in low gears going downhill, transmission temperature drops.

[Jim Bennett]

Originally Posted by Chotch

Do you use tow/haul mode?

All the time, no matter the trailer. Works great up and down hills, accelerating or decelerating. I use it with heavy loads in the box too.

[Chotch]

Originally Posted by Jim Bennett

All the time, no matter the trailer. Works great up and down hills, accelerating or decelerating. I use it with heavy loads in the box too.

🤔That’s what it’s there for......
Kinda figured the guys designing these things know what they’re doing 😎

[steve dunham]

Originally Posted by Chotch

🤔That’s what it’s there for......
Kinda figured the guys designing these things know what they’re doing 😎

Aren’t you concerned that your fuel mileage may decline by up to .02 MPG ?