Tow longevity

[WOADKIL]

If I recall correctly, Ford states the max speed while towing is 62MPH. Perhaps towing a sail of a trailer at 70MPH results in too much heat building up too quickly in the trans or diff for the system to dissipate it to maintain safe temps.

And here in California the max speed limit for towing a trailer is 55 MPH!

Maybe the only state to do so?!?

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[ControlNode]

And here in California the max speed limit for towing a trailer is 55 MPH!

Maybe the only state to do so?!?

Other states have restrictions on speed based on towing and status of trailer. I know one state I'd looked it up real quick. They had if the trailer was over xlb and/or there are no trailer brakes or something, you're not supposed to exceed 35MPH with it behind a truck.

 

[VAMike]

Thats why American manufacturers build a better truck for work ajd always have. Full size trucks are designed to work all day at least here in the states.

nowadays I think they're mostly designed to carry a family to the mall in luxury, while projecting a "truck" lifestyle image. that many of them can also do stuff is just a happy accident for the lower-margin buyer.

 

[brroberts]

I’ll drive whatever the speed limit is. I’ll only tow up to 60 as there are greater restraints on what I can do with a trailer behind me.

 

[yamahaSHO]

Yes, you're putting more heat into the system but I've seen no evidence towing at highway speed, even in GA here in the summer, that the cooling stack can't get rid of it. I know TFL ran into the issue with Andre's F150, but that was pretty edge-case and the truck protected itself.

They also live at high altitude, where cooling is less effective.

 

[P. A. Schilke]

I have a coworker that insists the Ranger 4 cylinder boosted engine will blow up within 500 miles with a 7000 pound trailer being towed.

He’s actually a pretty smart person. Can anyone share some real world experience?

Hi Andy,

Sorry he is so dumb when it comes to Ford testing. Trailer tow is part of the testing for durability at max GCW with trailer at max 7500lb. It meets and exceeds the requirements. This includes high ambient severe testing on Davis Dam, which is so sever if a motor is going to pop...this be the place it happens.

Best,
Phil

 

[ccasanova22]

Hi Andy,

Sorry he is so dumb when it comes to Ford testing. Trailer tow is part of the testing for durability at max GCW with trailer at max 7500lb. It meets and exceeds the requirements. This includes high ambient sever testing on Davis Dam, which is so sever if a motor is going to pop...this be the place it happens.

Best,
Phil

Phil, should any fluids be changed preemptively before a cross country tow? Some hills in CO such as Vail Pass at 104F ambient really raised the temps in other vehicles I’ve owned, is it advised to swap coolant and ATF out prior to such a tow? I know the manual says to use synthetic diff fluid and I did swap mine out with better fluid when towing.

Also is there a way to display oil and trans temp on the XLT gauge cluster?

Can’t seem to find either on the base XLT cluster. Thanks in advance!

 

[ctechbob]

They also live at high altitude, where cooling is less effective.

Hence 'edge case'.

 

[ctechbob]

Phil, should any fluids be changed preemptively before a cross country tow? Some hills in CO such as Vail Pass at 104F ambient really raised the temps in other vehicles I’ve owned, is it advised to swap coolant and ATF out prior to such a tow? I know the manual says to use synthetic diff fluid and I did swap mine out with better fluid when towing.

Also is there a way to display oil and trans temp on the XLT gauge cluster?

Can’t seem to find either on the base XLT cluster. Thanks in advance!

There's no oil temp sensor in the truck, but trans temp can be displayed with a suitable app, or gauge.

My opinion is that if you are towing on a regular basis, you should throw the Ford recommendations right out the window. 30k trans fluid changes with a filter at 60(minimum) and 50k diff fluid.

Actually, in my opinion, everyone should throw that stupid 150k first transmission service right where it belongs, in the dumpster. Do not wait that long before you change the fluid out in the 10R80.

 

[canyonslicker]

Hi Andy,

Sorry he is so dumb when it comes to Ford testing. Trailer tow is part of the testing for durability at max GCW with trailer at max 7500lb. It meets and exceeds the requirements. This includes high ambient sever testing on Davis Dam, which is so sever if a motor is going to pop...this be the place it happens.

Best,
Phil

So you actually drive up the face of Davis Dam?? With a trailer?? I know it’s pretty hot out there..

 

[canyonslicker]

So you actually drive up the face of Davis Dam?? With a trailer?? I know it’s pretty hot out there..

Oops I just answered my question on YouTube university. Thanks Phil..

 

[P. A. Schilke]

Phil, should any fluids be changed preemptively before a cross country tow? Some hills in CO such as Vail Pass at 104F ambient really raised the temps in other vehicles I’ve owned, is it advised to swap coolant and ATF out prior to such a tow? I know the manual says to use synthetic diff fluid and I did swap mine out with better fluid when towing.

Also is there a way to display oil and trans temp on the XLT gauge cluster?

Can’t seem to find either on the base XLT cluster. Thanks in advance!

Hi Casa,

There is a part of the owners manual for "Sever" duty in terms of maintenance intervals. We test trailer tow on Loveland pass so the Ranger should maintain its cool "a relative term". Occasional tow is not really considered sever but frequent towing would be considered sever. Let your odo and your owners manual be your guide. I do not know how many miles on your Ranger or what kind of driving you do, so I will let the owners manual be the guide.

Best,
Phil

 

[yamahaSHO]

*Severe

 

[canyonslicker]

*Severe

I like sever better, more graphic of things that might happen..

 

[ccasanova22]

Hi Andy,

Sorry he is so dumb when it comes to Ford testing. Trailer tow is part of the testing for durability at max GCW with trailer at max 7500lb. It meets and exceeds the requirements. This includes high ambient sever testing on Davis Dam, which is so sever if a motor is going to pop...this be the place it happens.

Best,
Phil

Thanks for the detailed response - glad to know there’s a little “extra” built into the design of the truck so towing at GVWR all across the country shouldn’t be an issue.

I have towed, driven on 1,000 mile trips (2x 500 miles per day), gone off road and used 4-LO and my oil life monitor still predicts a 10,000 mile interval after 5,000 miles (50%) so I guess the regular “getting up to temp” is keeping the oil life monitor from counting down fast.

Swapped the rear axle fluid per the manual and haven’t touched anything else - this is a great driving truck and thank you for your efforts!

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