2017 Tow Prep & Report

[Arturo Expy]

Hi All,

This site provided a lot of great information for me so I hope to return the favor with this post.

I purchased a 2017 XLT 4WD Expy last weekend to replace my 2016 F150 5.0 Crew Cab truck. I didn't really need a truck any longer and wanted something that could haul around the clan and be comfortable on road trips. I also needed to tow a trailer from Denver to Las Vegas - maybe I did need the truck....

The '17 has the basic tow pack - so I needed a brake controller and 7 pin outlet for my 7x14 enclosed tandem trailer. Thanks to this site I was able to connect a brake controller in about 5 minutes, and install the plug in about 10. I was mildly concerned about trans temps - but figured if I kept the weight of the trailer around 6600 lbs I should be OK. I also have the lower diff ratio.

So the trip - I70 through the Rockies to I15 into Vegas. Temps were in the low 40's through the mountains, and close to 70 coming into Vegas. I put the trans in M mode and shifted manually to keep RPM's up where needed. Once I was though the worst of the hills, I set the cruise control on 65 and manually shifted to .... you know the drill. Interestingly enough, while the higher RPM's seemed to help the vehicle up the hills, this increased the trans temp more than letting it lug up the hills at lower RPM's. For 98% of the trip the trans stayed below 210 degree's - mostly around 202 - only twice did they hit 217 and 219 and thankfully only for about a minute each time.

The '17 averaged 8.8 MPG on the 780 mile trip at a steady 65 MPH.

The return drive was obviously far more enjoyable - doing 82 MPH at 1900 RPM the tripometer indicated 20.3 MPG. Final mileage after coasting down the Mountain into Denver was 21.2 MPG. Given how effortlessly this thing goes up and down Mountains and along the freeway, I am extremely happy with my decision to become an SUV guy!

I do have a few questions but will ask at a later date!

 

[chuck s]

Thanks for the feedback!

If you didn't install the Ford brake controller in the dash board consider it. Once activated (may need to use Forscan software) this controller has several features not available in a simple, plug in brake controller line the Tekonsha Prodigy which is an excellent brake controller but just does brakes. The Ford controller can hold setting for different trailers I tow frequently, spotted a burned out tail light the first time I connected to my travel trailer, and it may be part of trailer stability control.

Not seen any need to try to out-think the transmission by manual shifting either my '07 or '17 trucks. The transmission locks up immediately after shifting. From notes here it appears the HD transmission cooler is a bolt on. Transmission temperatures here in the eastern mountains seem to not exceed 100° higher than ambient temperatures with the HD radiators.

-- Chuck

 

[LokiWolf]

These EB Motors make max Torque MUCH lower than the 5.0. You are much better staying in the lower RPMs and let the Trans handle the shifting. Drive the EB Motors like a diesel when towing. Torque is your Friend and is made down low in the RPM band.

Also, as RPM’s increase in general, Trans Temp will increase. More revs, means more friction, which equals more heat. Lowering RPM’s will help with your high Trans Temp.

I agree with Chuck. The integrated brake controller is great. It talks to the ABS controller and the Trailer Sway Control System will use the trailer brakes to help keep the trailer in check under adverse conditions. It is better than the best aftermarket controller out there.



Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

 

[intense98neon]

Correct, you would need to activate the factory brake controller with FORscan.

Thanks for the feedback!

If you didn't install the Ford brake controller in the dash board consider it. Once activated (may need to use Forscan software) this controller has several features not available in a simple, plug in brake controller line the Tekonsha Prodigy which is an excellent brake controller but just does brakes. The Ford controller can hold setting for different trailers I tow frequently, spotted a burned out tail light the first time I connected to my travel trailer, and it may be part of trailer stability control.

Not seen any need to try to out-think the transmission by manual shifting either my '07 or '17 trucks. The transmission locks up immediately after shifting. From notes here it appears the HD transmission cooler is a bolt on. Transmission temperatures here in the eastern mountains seem to not exceed 100° higher than ambient temperatures with the HD radiators.

-- Chuck

 

[coolzzy]

My 5.0 F150 used to get much hotter (transmission temp wise) towing in the mountains due to its need of very high revs in the 4k rpm range to pull my rv in 2nd gear at mph. My 17 EL with HD tow pulls the trailer in 4th or 5th,and stays locked in 6th for flat and gently rolling hills at 70mph. My trans temp when towing my 6200 pound travel trailer (I have the axillary trans cooler) stay between 202 and 210 regardless of outside temp. I'm very impressed, but miss the power fold tow mirrors from my pickup. They make a similiar tow mirror for the expedition but it just doesn't look right on the SUV body and will not power fold.

 

[BobB]

Chuck,
I have a 2013 Expy with a factory installed brake control, I towed my 29' travel trailer once without a problem hooking up and the control working fine. Now when I connect the trailer and turn on the key it says "no trailer." The brake lights and signals work but not the brake control. I did disconnect the battery about a week ago to reset the transmission memory. Do you think this cleared the brake controller and I need to activate it again.
Bob

 

[chuck s]

I assume running lights work as well? Contact cleaner sprayed liberally into the socket on the back of the truck and plugging/unplugging the umbilical power cord should clean the contacts. The wire to the actual brakes is simply cable tied up to the trailer axle on my trailer and it can become disconnected.

A 12v test light between pins 1 and 2 should activate when the brakes are active. These are the bottom two connectors when looking at the back of the truck. (I have a trailer connector tester that checks everything at one time).

-- Chuck