towing questions rockwood mini lite

[jimjacobs62]

Have a question wth towing my 2016 Rockwood Mini lite 2304KS. I have a 2014 Ford F150 5 liter V8 4 x 4, 3.55 rear end and the trailer towing package. Took my first trip with the camper and truck struggles to maintain Interstate speeds. The transmission is constantly shifting between 4th and 5th gear. Is anyone getting the same performance ?

[acadianbob]

That doesn't sound right at all. That's not a very big trailer. It would almost seem that the trailer brakes are on or dragging. You shouldn't have any problem pulling that trailer.

[Jhochst]

Do you have/use tow mode? I have a lite trailer and can accelerate up steep hills with my 5.7 hemi. No struggles at all


Sent from my iPhone using Forest River Forums and cruising speed is rock solid. It will not down shift unless going up steeper grade. Tow mode makes huge impact

[aceinspp]

Sounds like you have not engaged the towing mode. Should handle fine. Later RJD

[LandJ]

What is interstate speed? And how many gears in that tranny?

If you're traveling above 65mph, I'm not surprised that you're having trouble. I have a 2502 and usually tow at 63mph.

The trailer is a parachute, the faster you go, the more it resists.

[jimjacobs62]

Thanks for the tips. I have 6 speed automatic transmission and was in tow haul mode mode the whole time. Interstate speeds range 70 to 75 mph. I did check my trailer brakes after several miles and they were cool to the touch. I do have a manual shifter on the transmission, should I try using it for towing?

[etothepii]

Try driving at 100. Should improve a lot.

That's kph. About 62mph. For most gas trucks, 60-65 is the sweet spot. Drag does not increase linearly with speed. If I recall correctly, it is a square relationship.

Your RV tires may not even be designed to go above 70 mph. So that may be a safety concern as well.

[LandJ]

Sounds like your truck is responding normally for the conditions you're creating. I would use tow/haul mode and stay below 65mph.

[GL1800Rider]

Just my opinion but I would definitely keep it down under 65. If you have the China Bombs you are asking for a disaster!! If they are load range C, I do believe they are rated for a maximum of 65. You might also want to invest in a TPMS as they may give you early warning for a tire failure.

When I had the TT I usually ran between 55-60 in the interstate. Much less fuel being burned and a more relaxing trip. More than once I have seen either a 5er or TT pass me doing 70 or more and later found them on the side of the road.

[RVPP]

2013, F-150, V6 no eco-boost, tow mode, 60-65 NJ to Fl, towing a '04 FR Surveyor about 4300 lbs. It's not happy over 65MPH, and neither am I.
Safe trip, Paul

[dustman_stx]

Sounds rights to me. 5th in your truck should put you at just over 2k RPM at 65mph. The 5.0 is not producing tons of torque there. In 4th you should be at ~2600. I'd lock out 5 and 6 and head on down the road. Maybe invest in an aftermarket exhaust system so you can enjoy some V8 rumble while doing it.

[pdqparalegal1]

Cummings has a neat display on their website about drag vs speed. Others are correct. It's not liner, it's exponential. from 55 to 65 drag goes up like 4 times.

[Stlcaly]

Should be obvious but keep holding tanks empty. I use Nissan 6V Froitier. I agree to keeping it between 60-65. Also make sure your weight distribution hitch is adjusted properly

[HONDAMAN174]

Your fuel mileage will drastically change the harder you push of course. Dropping from 65 on flats to 60 and down to 55 on hills took me from 6 to 8 mpg. Doesn't sound like much but shows how hard vehicle is working. You will find your sweet spot.

[ontario_camper]

Originally Posted by jimjacobs62

Have a question wth towing my 2016 Rockwood Mini lite 2304KS. I have a 2014 Ford F150 5 liter V8 4 x 4, 3.55 rear end and the trailer towing package. Took my first trip with the camper and truck struggles to maintain Interstate speeds. The transmission is constantly shifting between 4th and 5th gear. Is anyone getting the same performance ?

I tow a Mini Lite 2306, with the same truck/gears, in a 2012 F150. If you slow down a bit you will see a difference. I run about 65-68 mph. I lock out 6th and always use tow/haul. It will go into 6th on long flat stretches, but as soon as you hit the slightest hill, it gears down. So there is no point in using 6th for me. I would never lock out 5th, with this set up. Running in 5th at 65, my rpm sit just about 2000. It will climb hills in 5th, and drop to 4th on bigger/longer ones. Our last trip, 400 miles round trip, half highway, half back roads I averaged 11mpg. The more I tow, the better the truck seems to do. Good luck.