Should've kept the diesel - 2014 Ecoboost

[rherold9]

Glad it all worked out for you! A couple things to note:

1. Use Tow/Haul mode. Not only does it delay upshifts to help keep you in the powerband when accelerating, it will automatically downshift to help engine brake the rig if you are on the brakes OR if the truck detects you are pointed downhill and maintaining a steady speed (i.e. not accelerating). That will help you with...

2. Setting up your trailer brakes! The proper way to set trailer brake gain on electric brakes is to get into a parking lot where you've got some room, get up to about 25 mph with an empty trailer, and pull the trailer brake slider to full brakes. You want to just be able to lock up the trailer brakes. Get it to that point and then back it off by 0.5, load up the car and see how it is loaded. It may be fine, it may need a little extra juice.

3. The truck should say "Trailer Connected" and "Trailer Disconnected" when you plug in the 7-pin connector. It verifies this by connecting to the electric brakes. Keep that in mind if you start seeing the Connected/Disconnected message flashing rapidly - that happened with my gray truck and it turned out the trailer wiring harness (on the trailer side, not the Ford side) was starting to kink and not fully connect. I replaced it before I had no connection and thus no brakes. Trailers are largely built like shit, so keep an eye on things.

Manual says to not use Tow/Haul Mode unless you are are towing heavy loads/at the tow limit. I manually downshifted if needed.

I for sure understand how to set the trailer brakes. I read into it a bit before coming back with the trailer from Scott's That's how I set them up back from Scott's. The only thing I forgot when I left to the track. Didn't feel a difference with normal braking on the street or I would have done it before hand. Just totally blew over my mind. 10 is the max and is good right there.

I'll for sure keep that in mind. Thank you. Haven't had an issue yet with the 7-pin, but may be useful later.

Glad you had a good almost uneventful tow! That Miata looks so good on RPF1s.

Thank you and yes, for some reason RPF1's look really good on NC's

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Forgot to add that over Saturday night we started to get hammered with snow. Before driving back to the hotel Maeng and Matt dared me to send the truck and go ice fishing. Well we drove to south paddock and found a lot of fish. Couldn't believe how fun it was. We then drove through some pretty damn treacherous conditions back to the hotel. I set the truck in 4 auto and we got back to the hotel on 3 inches of completely uncleared roads the entire way to the hotel in Danville. I think we did 30-40mph the entire time. It was about as sketchy as the trail riding, but we had no issues. This truck can for sure make it through some sketchy things if needed.

[Jake]

You are pulling enough weight that it doesn't hurt anything to use T/H and you will likely appreciate the technology helping out your drive.

[rherold9]

You are pulling enough weight that it doesn't hurt anything to use T/H and you will likely appreciate the technology helping out your drive.

But but but the manual says....

[rherold9]

Small update. Another track weekend and another successful tow. No issue this time with almost running into anyone. Got a solid 14.4mpg in tow/haul mode to Summit and back. I do wish the truck felt as stable as the 2500 did in the wind. This truck for sure likes to move around a bit in any type of wind. Still have only done one oil change since I've gotten ownership of it. Hopefully the simple maintenance continues.

I'm still getting used to backing in the trailer and finally nailed it one backup attempt in the dark in a parking space in a small amount of room. You can't full straighten out so I'm always at like a 30 degree to perpendicular backing into the spot.

I definitely like this truck a lot. I felt the power of the Ecoboost plus a huge cloud of soot when I had to go flat out because some idiot in front me decided they wanted to stop on the I-66 merge ramp on the way back to summit. It'll definitely move if you need it to haha.

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[Scott]

I do wish the truck felt as stable as the 2500 did in the wind. This truck for sure likes to move around a bit in any type of wind.



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This is an easy fix, tires.  When I had my Expedition EL, changing from the stock sidewall rating to the E sidewalls fixed any sway it had (which was significant)  When I bought my Tundra, I immediately did the same thing before I towed with it the first time

[rherold9]

This is an easy fix, tires.  When I had my Expedition EL, changing from the stock sidewall rating to the E sidewalls fixed any sway it had (which was significant)  When I bought my Tundra, I immediately did the same thing before I towed with it the first time

Trade off is that 2500HD road like dog poop so I'll take the comfort factor at the trade-off of 100% stability. It really isn't bad more of a minor annoyance having to moving the steering wheel a bit more than usual. It's just something I'll deal with/get used to.

[Jake]

My gray truck only got pushed around once and it was by some very significant wind on 66, heading toward JMU. Have you replaced those crap tires from off-roading yet? Get some quality Michelin or BFG and you'll be good.

[rherold9]

My gray truck only got pushed around once and it was by some very significant wind on 66, heading toward JMU. Have you replaced those crap tires from off-roading yet? Get some quality Michelin or BFG and you'll be good.

Nope, I'm delaying as long as possible. Security deposit for a place is coming shortly plus I just got the nice yearly $600 vehicle(s) tax in the mail 

[Scott]

This is an easy fix, tires.  When I had my Expedition EL, changing from the stock sidewall rating to the E sidewalls fixed any sway it had (which was significant)  When I bought my Tundra, I immediately did the same thing before I towed with it the first time

Trade off is that 2500HD road like dog poop so I'll take the comfort factor at the trade-off of 100% stability. It really isn't bad more of a minor annoyance having to moving the steering wheel a bit more than usual. It's just something I'll deal with/get used to.

E-code Michelins I put on both the Expedition and Tundra did not effect the ride quality, especially when using appropriate pressures.

[rherold9]

Welp, I've been constantly just giving a quick look over as I pass in/out of the vehicle when I drive it. Noticed a small crack on the driver's side tire this morning. Guess it's time. I'd rather not experience a blow out .

Waiting for the VISA statement to cycle today and going to drop the truck off for those Firestone tires this weekend. Earlier than I wanted as the rear tires are fine all around and the front inside tires still have life left. Whoever owned this truck before either didn't give a shit about alignment or tire pressure or both as the wear on the outside fronts is awful in comparison.

[rherold9]

Picked up the truck from Firestone. They didn't have the Destination A/Ts in my size that they could get. So, they offered the Bridgestone Dueller Revo2 for the same price and I went with it. Hopefully they will be alright. Only thing I really noticed was they have a lot more road feel and a little less mushy than the previous Goodyear's on the truck. Other than that it feels like a tire.

Also, got an alignment and of course the toe was off. Pretty obvious by how the tires wore. Surprise.

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[Jake]

I had Dueler H/L on the gray truck and liked them, they were quiet on the highway which was nice. Should be good for you - glad you got the alignment fixed too!

[rherold9]

I had Dueler H/L on the gray truck and liked them, they were quiet on the highway which was nice. Should be good for you - glad you got the alignment fixed too!

Good for the truck, not for the wallet and race car  . So far I've only experienced them at 50mph and I don't notice a difference in noise. 

Hopefully they won't hum on the highway brand new or I'm sure they won't be very good once they start to wear.

[rherold9]

Purposely drove the truck to work today. Louder on concrete. Like a few db louder on normal highway roads. Can't tell any difference on the street. Any music will cover up the noise if needed.

The OE tires were highway tires, Goodyear Wrangler SR-A. So far for a less agressive A/T tire these aren't too bad. It's about what I was expecting/hoping for. Who knows when I'll ever go through trails again, but I'm looking forward to when I do

[V1GiLaNtE]

Good cheap insurance for bad weather. What PSI are you running the tires?

[rherold9]

Good cheap insurance for bad weather. What PSI are you running the tires?

Whatever the OE specs are. 35?

[V1GiLaNtE]

Good cheap insurance for bad weather. What PSI are you running the tires?

Whatever the OE specs are. 35?

Might be worth bumping it up a bit or see what other guys are running. Could help reduce the noise.

[Scott]

My Tundra with the Michelin LTX's seems to be happiest (noise, comfort, stability) around 43psi, up from the factory 35

[rherold9]

Interesting. I guess I'll try 40 and see how that feels. My thoughts would be going up in pressure would do the opposite

[V1GiLaNtE]

Nope, you're making a more narrow contact patch since there is less tire contacting the road = less noise (in theory). You may also improve mpg ever so slightly.