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ESCAPE POD · 01-27-2010, 12:47 PM

I've ordered a 2010 F-150 5.4L 4x4 XLT short bed w/rearview camera. Anyone own this or a similar F-150? How's your towing experience? Likes, dislikes?

-Jerry

Mike Leary · 01-27-2010, 12:52 PM

I've had two F-150 Fords; best rigs (other than my Landrover and mo/ho), I've ever had.

Cantrell · 01-27-2010, 02:12 PM

I have the 4x2 5.4 supercrew. Wouldn't hestitate to buy another.
Likes: comfortable interior and ride, tows great, adequate power, good looking truck.
Dislikes: very thirsty.

TWaugh · 01-27-2010, 02:50 PM

I got a great deal on an 2009 f150 a couple of months ago. 5.4 L XLT 4X4 with the integrated brake controller (man that thing is great, along with the built in electronic sway control for the truck). It's a sweet truck, handles great and I can hardly tell I'm towing anything with the Caravel hooked up.

Wait a minute, the Caravel is only about 3500 lbs, so I guess the F150 is a little overkill

, but I'm happy.

YouTube - 2009 Ford F-150 Trailer Sway

Tom Waugh

**Stefrobrts** · 01-27-2010, 03:23 PM

Hm, that video didn't really help. So what is this built in electronci sway control? How does it know you've got a sway going on? I thought you weren't supposed to brake when you have sway, I thought you were supposed to keep on and activate the trailer brakes? Luckily with the Caravel the issue has never come up.

TWaugh · 01-27-2010, 03:45 PM

Per Ford:
The F150 has Advancetrac with RSC (roll stabiility control) system helps the driver maintain control of their vehicle during extreme steering manuevers by helping to keep the vehicle headed in the driver's intended direction, even when the vehicle nears or exceeds the limits of road traction. It has gyroscopic roll rate sensors to accurately measure the vehicle's roll motion. If significant roll angle is detected, the system applies additional countermeasures to enhance roll resistance. The trailer sway control builds on this system's capabilities when towing. The system pulses the brakes from side to side on the vehicle to reduce the sway effect. At the same time the trailer brakes are being pulsed (both sides on the trailer since there is only one control wire to the trailer brakes). As in the video the driver releases the accelerator and allows the truck sway control to reduce the sway. Remember even advanced technology cannot overcome the laws of physics. It's always possible to lose control of a vehicle due to inappropriate driver input for the conditions.

I hope it never comes up with my Caravel either. Plus I'm adding the friction sway control to the hitch as well.

Tom Waugh

Aviator · 01-27-2010, 04:40 PM

I have a 2009 5.4 2X4 with the integrated controller, and couldn't be happier. On the first outing I went from Pittsburgh to Atlanta, and was even able to maintain speed over the Smokies (mostly anyway). I have had the Advancetrac kick in a couple of time when on ice (not while towing), and it works well. You can feel the breaking/power changes and it does help. I would suspect it uses accelerometers much like the ones in my iPhone or in an Inertial Navigation System (INS).

ESCAPE POD · 03-02-2010, 04:32 PM

Our wait is over: we took possession of our 2010 F-150 yesterday. With the max tow package, it's rated to tow 11K lbs, way more than our 19' Bambi. I was getting tired of the Dodge Dakota straining on hills for three years, and now we'll have the ability to go anywhere without that concern. For you "detail-oriented" folks, here are the details: 5.4L V-8, 4WD, short bed Super Crew (145" wheelbase); 36 gal fuel tank. Payload: 1780#; tow limit: 11.3K#; and integrated brake controller. We've also ordered a Flip-Pac camper shell for when we base camp with the AS and want to camp remotely where Bambi can't follow. Here's the link for the Flip-Pac, for anyone who's interested: index . I'll be re-configuring the Equalizer hitch for the F-150, and will post photos when the whole shebang is "together"!

-Jerry

Wabbiteer · 03-02-2010, 04:55 PM

Very envious you've jumped into such a nice truck! (Photos would be crushing)

The only thing I can pass on about my F-150 short bed... boost the front tire pressure some, that will stiffen the sidewalls to quench the 'tail wags the dog' short wheel base wiggle....

ESCAPE POD · 03-15-2010, 07:21 PM

We just returned from our shakedown cruise of the new Ford F-150. The trip was from Seal Beach, CA to Anza-Borrego State Park (CA). The round-trip towing was approx. 300 miles. We started out with 134 miles on the truck (although the owner's manual recommends putting 1,000 miles before the first tow(!). Full disclosure: my wife pointed this out to me after we were in camp, as she was methodically going through the owner's manual

. Being a typical guy, I reviewed the manual in my usual fashion: reading all the parts that I was interested in, but I missed the introductory section labeled "Breaking in your vehicle". I am happy to say, however, that no evident damage was done, and with the Max Tow Package, integrated brake controller and Tow-Haul mode (and the fact that the tow rating is over 11K lbs, or over twice the weight of the Bambi), the truck performed like a champ! I was especially impressed with the Tow-Haul feature, which changes the gear shifting points when towing, without eliminating overdrive. On the drive out, we averaged about 12 mpg. Driving around the park unhitched, we started getting better mileage, and on the return tow home, we averaged 14 mpg. That's when I realized that the "sweet spot" for overdrive in Tow-Haul mode is 60 mph (instead of the 55 mph I was trying to maintain on the first leg of the trip). Our approach to the park ended with a fairly steep downgrade, but once again, this is where the tow-haul shines, by automatically downshifting when the brakes are applied (stepping on the gas ends the downshift). The integrated brake controller was absolutely seamless: there was no indication we were towing when applying the brakes. If you're in the market for a new tow vehicle, I have to say we're very pleased with the F-150. Although no performance issues came up, let me know if you think it was a mistake not to wait the 1,000 miles before towing. If there's anything I should be examining for signs of damage, I'd like to know. Thanks for listening!

-Jerry

2airishuman · 03-15-2010, 09:45 PM

good report jerry.

it would be wise NOW to drive another 600 miles or so without towing.

although with that trailer i doubt any harm happened.

the tow/haul AND integrated brake controller are nice additions to the 150 line.

u have left out 2 important things...

WHAT COLOR truck?

wherez the pix?

cheers
2air'

ESCAPE POD · 03-15-2010, 10:21 PM

Sorry, 2air'. Here are a few photos from the trip (we also did some off-roading, but nothing too risky). We're expecting our Flip-Pac to come in around the end of March, so I'll post some more then. Thanks for your advice on cooling the towing for awhile. Actually, the truck now has 628 miles on it; only 300 from towing. I don't think I'll have any problem hitting the 1,000 mark by the time we tow again.

-Jerry