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04-07-2014, 06:19 PM
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#1
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Junior Member
Join Date: Apr 2014
Posts: 4
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Towing Problem
I recently purchased a 2006 Rockwood Roo 21ss. I am having towing issues I think due to air drag. My tow vehicle is a 2006 Ford Expedition Eddie Bauer 4x4 with the 5.4 V-8. I thought that my truck would walk away with this relatively light trailer, but it struggled to get to 65 mph on relatively flat ground.
Any suggestions or similar issues? I have pulled heavier trailers in the past with a Chevy Suburban with a 350. Never experienced this before.
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04-07-2014, 06:45 PM
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#2
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Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2013
Location: Seaford, De
Posts: 2,377
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have you towed this trailer with any other vehicles? That truck shouldn't have a problem with that size trailer. Check to see if any brakes dragging on trailer. Is all your maintenance up to date on truck, fuel filter, etc.
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David & Lynn 2014 Coachmen Chaparral Signature 327 RLKS 2016 Ford F350 Lariat CC Dually
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04-07-2014, 06:50 PM
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#3
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2007 WildCat 32QBBS
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: NJ
Posts: 2,349
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A Roo should be no problem for a 5.4l. You may have issues with the vehicle such as a partially clogged catalytic converter or low fuel pressure. Keep us posted...
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*Current: 2005 Ford F350 Crew Cab Dually 6.0 diesel 4x4*
*Retired: 1987 F350 Crew Cab Dually 6.9 turbo diesel
2007 Forest River WildCat 32QBBS
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04-07-2014, 07:34 PM
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#4
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Site Team
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: Goodyear, Arizona
Posts: 33,556
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with only the 5.4 engine for info, you don't state what the rear end ratio is, nor if it has the factory HD tow package.
it may have a high mpg rear end ratio, that's lousy for towing.
the 21SS is on the heavy side for hybrids, due to the big superslide.
are you using a good WDH with sway control?
__________________
Dan-Retired California Firefighter/EMT
Shawn-Musician/Entrepreneur/Wine Expert
and Zoe the Wonder Dog(R.I.P.)
2016 PrimeTime TracerAIR 255, pushing a 2014 Ford F150 SCREW XTR 4x4 3.5 Ecoboost w/Max Tow Package
4pt Equal-i-zer WDH and 1828lbs of payload capacity
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04-07-2014, 07:37 PM
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#5
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Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2011
Posts: 517
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Pulled a 2011 Roo 23SS with a 04' Expedition Sport 5.4L for almost 6,500 miles... never a problem maintaining 65mph... Bad mass air sensor maybe?
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2021 Cedar Creek 37MBH
2020 F350 Powerstroke Super Duty Lariat Crew Cab
Northern NJ - God Bless America!
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04-07-2014, 07:41 PM
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#6
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Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2013
Location: Seaford, De
Posts: 2,377
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the lowest towing capacity for a 5.4 4x4 is 6000 lbs so no way that trailer is anywhere near its limit
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David & Lynn 2014 Coachmen Chaparral Signature 327 RLKS 2016 Ford F350 Lariat CC Dually
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04-07-2014, 07:53 PM
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#7
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Junior Member
Join Date: Apr 2014
Posts: 4
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Thanks everyone. Yes,the truck does have the HD towing package. I don't know what the rear end ratio is. Just bought it! It's not showing any codes. I guess I better take it to a mechanic to have it looked at?
I have a Fastway E2 Roundbar 6000lb hitch. Trailer wt is approx 3800 lbs empty.
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04-08-2014, 04:40 AM
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#8
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Engineer of Crazy Train
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: Tiverton, RI
Posts: 1,585
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I sometimes wonder what people expect from towing a camper. My 21BH, although lighter, has the same frontal area as your trailer. I maintain 60 with my 2.8l, which IMHO, is a good towing speed.
Sent from my Samsung Galaxy Note 2 using the FRF mobile app.
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TV - 2015 Ram Truck EcoDiesel
TV - 2006 Jeep Liberty Turbo Diesel (Retired to Daily Driver)
TT - 2015 Rockwood Roo 183 (SOLD due to 2 years off work)
Locomotive Engineer
Nights Camping --- 2015 - 19 Camped | Winterized -- 2014 - 18
Come read my Camping Blogs
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04-08-2014, 06:17 AM
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#9
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chicagoslick
Join Date: Dec 2013
Location: Indianapolis Area
Posts: 198
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Exhaust
Intake
Poor Tune-up,
Bad gas
Rear end gear
Transmission issue
Trailer dragging brakes
Low inflated Tires
Way too many possibilites...Mechanic good idea...Has the vehicle ever pulled loads in the past without issues?
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Gary, Tonia, Baile, Summer and Otis our Boston T.
Flagstaff 27RLWS Emerald Pkg
2015 Ford F150 King Ranch FX4 Max Tow 3.5EB, 3.55
Equalizer 4 WDH, 1,200 / 12,000Lbs
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04-08-2014, 05:00 PM
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#10
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Junior Member
Join Date: Apr 2014
Posts: 4
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Towing Problem
Well, I jacked up the Roo, and all fuor wheels spin freely. I was hoping that the camper was the problem. Now I'll have to dig into the Expedition!
ChoochooMan74, I appreciate your comment, but I am not a novice to towing. That's why I'm stumped by this problem. Good to see ya spending lots of family time!
BTW, I checked with a Ford dealer to see what having new plugs installed would cost. $600 plus $35 each if the plug breaks! The rest of the replacements I think I can do myself, but now I'm apprehensive about tackling the spark plug replacement!
Thanks to all for your help!
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04-08-2014, 05:03 PM
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#11
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Resident Masshole
Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: Southeastern MA
Posts: 433
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Captain110
Well, I jacked up the Roo, and all fuor wheels spin freely. I was hoping that the camper was the problem. Now I'll have to dig into the Expedition!
ChoochooMan74, I appreciate your comment, but I am not a novice to towing. That's why I'm stumped by this problem. Good to see ya spending lots of family time!
BTW, I checked with a Ford dealer to see what having new plugs installed would cost. $600 plus $35 each if the plug breaks! The rest of the replacements I think I can do myself, but now I'm apprehensive about tackling the spark plug replacement!
Thanks to all for your help!
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Let them do it, trust me. I tried replacing my plugs (2004 F150) at about 75K miles, and broke the first two in half. Known issue w/ the Ford's (they rust into place basically), they have a tool to deal with it.
EDIT: they did mine for around $200, but I had already bought the plugs. $600 sounds like WAY too much.
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04-08-2014, 05:44 PM
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#12
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2007 WildCat 32QBBS
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: NJ
Posts: 2,349
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If it was plugs you would feel the miss and it would shake the whole vehicle and throw a light. I'd check for air restriction like a clogged air filter or the clogged cat or muffler. Both conditions will cause power issues but never throw a check engine light. Air cleaner and the box it mounts in is easy enough to look for mice nests or just a dirty filter. The exhaust I usually disconnect before the cat and road test (yes it's loud). Or you can drill two 1/8" holes, one before/one aft the cat, and do a back pressure check with a gauge. There should not be a huge difference in your readings.
All this might be overwhelming for many, so you may want to take it to a reputable mechanic. I'd hold off on dropping 600 bucks on plugs.
__________________
*Current: 2005 Ford F350 Crew Cab Dually 6.0 diesel 4x4*
*Retired: 1987 F350 Crew Cab Dually 6.9 turbo diesel
2007 Forest River WildCat 32QBBS
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04-08-2014, 05:53 PM
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#13
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Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2013
Location: Seaford, De
Posts: 2,377
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The plugs will definitely let you know via misfires and a CEL when they need attention. I would start with an air and fuel filter, then fuel pressure checked and exhaust restriction.
__________________
David & Lynn 2014 Coachmen Chaparral Signature 327 RLKS 2016 Ford F350 Lariat CC Dually
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04-12-2014, 10:54 PM
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#14
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Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2014
Posts: 269
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Our 2010 F-150 5.4 used to pull a 28 foot Bullet and we downsized to a 24 foot Wild Cat. (empty weight on the Wild Cat is 6,000 just a bit over the Bullet. The 5.4 seems to take care of this just fine.
Brandon 2
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