Am i towing too much?

[upongame]

I recently became the proud owner of a 1999 Ford expedition 5.4L Eddie model 4x4
(got it for 1750 from Father in law) wanted to keep in family...
I recently moved back to so cal and everywhere i ride your best bet is a 4x4 (Glamis, Pismo) so its a win win for me...
Brief History on Truck Had Spark plug issue about 2k ago they recoiled it
everything has been well maintained on truck
Has a K&N intake,
My question is....
Do i need to upgrade tranny pan, diff pan, sway bar, electric water pump, exhaust, chip?
Truck has 163,***
Trailer is Dry Weight 3400lbs 21ft
I load her to about 5500lbs then to about 6k for about 20 miles( i fill up once close to camp)
Just read dry weight is different then unloaded weight i will double check that weight to be certain

I would love to hear from those who tow similair to what i do and take same routes, I-10 to glamis, or 101 to Pismo or Cajon Pass to Barstow?
Haven't tested her yet but my date is coming soon, want to be prepared.

 

[alaskanexpy]

i would def add a aux tranny cooler, make sure everything is in good working order and thats about all you can do.

i towed 5,700lbs this summer and i have to say the truck handled it great!

 

[Soldier777]

I am not seeing equalizer bars?? That would bring your front end back down!

 

[tonydiv]

+1 on the load distributing hitch.

Also +1 on a big trans cooler. Trans temp is the biggest issue while towing.
I also always recommend a programmer to tighten up shifts. That will eliminate most of the slipping. And slipping = heat.

 

[jacks3am]

I say synthetic trans fluid, big cooler, aftermarket valve body and a weight distributing hitch, possibly air bags!

 

[upongame]

Yes I do have equalization bars
The list kit is 6" in front and 4" in rear....so it sags already...
Other then that thx for input,
Its not a daily driver, so I will invest in all your suggestions thxs guys

 

[jacks3am]

I also suggest calling airlift or firestone and ask about air bags that will suit your rear ride height, just ask for 4x4 standard suspension bags and ask if they have the same dimensions except 4 inches taller!

 

[upongame]

here is my wish/want list
Tranny pan with extra size n cooling ability
Miazere electric water pump
rear sway bar
Exhaust
Chip
.....Hopefully with that towing will be like towing a 4g trailer and could hit 65 on a 6k incline...lol

 

[jacks3am]

here is my wish/want list
Tranny pan with extra size n cooling ability
Miazere electric water pump
rear sway bar
Exhaust
Chip
.....Hopefully with that towing will be like towing a 4g trailer and could hit 65 on a 6k incline...lol

I would still go with an aftermarket valve body rather then a tuner, less money, mechanically shifts quicker, instead of raising line pressure. and instead of the tranny pan an aux transmission cooler so you get quicker cooling and its most likley cheaper then a new pan, and possibly E-fans?

 

[upongame]

I would still go with an aftermarket valve body rather then a tuner, less money, mechanically shifts quicker, instead of raising line pressure. and instead of the tranny pan an aux transmission cooler so you get quicker cooling and its most likley cheaper then a new pan, and possibly E-fans?


What is a aftermarket vavle body?
Do our trucks come with a tranny cooler stock and if so any recomendations on one to replace with that will use same brackets and pusher more liquid through?
New to trucks and towing...

 

[upongame]

OK read up what it was,
But i am still curious why it would be better then chip? that just changes shifting points, doesn't chip do same by the ecu and it uses the motors full potential...?

 

[jacks3am]

OK read up what it was,
But i am still curious why it would be better then chip? that just changes shifting points, doesn't chip do same by the ecu and it uses the motors full potential...?

Its my preference over the tuner, I like the mechanical change better then raising line pressure. Either way you go its going to be great!

 

[uhaul]

If you can stop it, then its not too much. (you obviously got it rolling ok) Just Kidding.

 

[uhaul]

Looking at picture of trailer, check to make sure all the stuff you put in there is balanced near axles, too much tongue weight or negative tongue weight = SAG or WAG , this effects handling of vehicle more than anything else, and your truck should have no trouble pulling it, these trucks are tough.

 

[hautevue]

Your photo makes it look like you have a really heavy tongue weight. I suggest you go to professional truck scales and weigh everything--trailer, truck, and then put the trailer wheels on ground and weigh just the weight on the tongue. That plus the mandatory door sticker will help you learn if you are overloading your TV. Remember to add to the truck weight the people--four can easily hit 600 - 700 pounds. Make sure the TV is not overloaded.

As for a tranny cooler, my Expy is 2008 and has the factory tow package and a tranny cooler is included. Perhaps that was not standard in 1999. If you have the 7 pin plug in the back near the hitch, you probably have the tow package.

But you "fer sure" want a weight distribution hitch , with either a friction sway bar(s) or equalizer bars. That front end lift in your photo is revealing--too much weight on the hitch, I think.

 

[dougmcp]

From the photo it appears as if you need a drop hitch.
The rear of the truck is down and the trailer tongue is still up.
IMO, trying to hold 65mph on a 6K incline is a bit optimistic.

 

[BakerEdition]

I am not seeing equalizer bars?? That would bring your front end back down!

or just turn the car around...

 

[upongame]

Do they make "stiffer/Heavy Duty" springs for the rear?
I have the 99 eddie bauer xlt with 7 pin and hitch that states 8k and 800 tounge weight so i dont think i'm that close at all, but who knows hopefully i do have the tranny cooler, i'm a month out from its madien voyage and haven't upgraded what i've wanted too...Hope she holds up....

 

[03blkstanggt]

only thing i did was add a trailer brake. i have stabilizer bars too. ive got a bullydog tuner telling me that my trans temps get up to about 180 in the 100 degree weather while towing on an incline but other than that its fine. im pulling close to 8.5k pounds when its loaded.

 

[upongame]

only thing i did was add a trailer brake. i have stabilizer bars too. ive got a bullydog tuner telling me that my trans temps get up to about 180 in the 100 degree weather while towing on an incline but other than that its fine. im pulling close to 8.5k pounds when its loaded.

I like it, i'm too close to its maden voyage so its staying stock, has trailer brake, i'll move weight off tounge to help it out and will f/u with how it does.