Towing Opinions

[FordTechOne]

Yes, I was using tow/haul mode the entire time. When I see coolant temps rising to 230 and I'm only going 70 mph, towing no more than 3600 pounds in 18 degree weather, it makes me question how much our Raptors were really designed for towing, as well as the decisions of the Ford engineers letting these things run so hot all of the time.

Personally, I think the original poster would be much better off with an F250 Tremor powerstroke, considering it sounds like he's towing a pretty significant load significant distances.

Do you have any obstructions in the grille (aftermarket bumper, light bar, etc)? Also, have you verified the grille shutters are actually opening?

The thermostat on these trucks starts to open between 190 and 200 degrees and is not fully open until 218 degrees; running 12 degrees hotter than that while towing is not an issue. If the engine is running too hot, the temperature gauge will turn red and you’ll get an engine overheat message.

 

[aileron]

Do you have any obstructions in the grille (aftermarket bumper, light bar, etc)? Also, have you verified the grille shutters are actually opening?

The thermostat on these trucks starts to open between 190 and 200 degrees and is not fully open until 218 degrees; running 12 degrees hotter than that while towing is not an issue. If the engine is running too hot, the temperature gauge will turn red and you’ll get an engine overheat message.

How do I verify the grille shutters are opening?

 

[bvlaw]

Do you have any obstructions in the grille (aftermarket bumper, light bar, etc)? Also, have you verified the grille shutters are actually opening?

The thermostat on these trucks starts to open between 190 and 200 degrees and is not fully open until 218 degrees; running 12 degrees hotter than that while towing is not an issue. If the engine is running too hot, the temperature gauge will turn red and you’ll get an engine overheat message.

Truck is totally stock. No obstructions. Shutters were open when I remote started the vehicle yesterday. Temperature gauge has never turned red but I thought it was odd that the numbers started showing up above the coolant temperature gauge. Especially odd since I was towing well below the tow rating, at relatively low speeds, in very cold weather.

 

[FordTechOne]

How do I verify the grille shutters are opening?

When the truck is at operating temperature, inspect the grille opening. The shutters should be horizontal (open).

 

[MRV99]

i have a 4K lbs Travel trailer which has about 500 lbs tongue weight. I do not have a weight distribution hitch and it pulls great. I am not squatting like I thought it would. I pulled my 15x7 enclosed trailer the other day and had 3500 lbs and the tongue was 350 ish. I had almost no squat and more of a level. I actually love towing my TT and my enclosed trailer much more with my raptor than my 3.5 Lariat w/ 5* tune.

 

[Rocu2zzz]

I finally got the email from ford that my 2022 Gen 3 has been shipped! I keep following the forums closely because I tow a 26 foot center console boat and curious about the new Gen 3. My 2018 tows my boat just fine. I upgraded the leafs and got the adjustable bump stop from SVC and it sits almost level. Hopefully they come out with some after market parts soon for those of us that hate the sag! Lol

 

[Hemmy]

I plan on installing my Timbren bump stops tomorrow. I had them on in the fall and had about a 3" gap between the bump stop and the axle. Called Timbren and they sent me the corrected hardware and extra spacers. I will let you all know how the gapping is after I get them installed. I am getting my boat out next Friday so I will be curious how they do.

 

[98Craig]

So I just got my 22 this week (ordered in Aug with rollover in Oct)!! Super impressed by it all the way around. As a daily driver it is by far the best truck I have ever driven. I haven't gotten up to our land to off-road, but soon! I did take it to my boat and put it on just to see how bad the sag was. It was 2 inches in the back (measured from fender to top of tire loaded verses unloaded). I didn't do the front nor actually tow it anywhere, as there was a huge thunderstorm barreling down! For reference, I had a 2016 ford platinum with max tow and heavy duty leaf spring upgrade, 4 inch lift with reservoir fox 2.0 shocks. My 2016 sagged about 1.5 inches. Also, my boat and trailer are about 7000 pounds. So, not level, but not bad. I would like to maybe add timbrens but want to see how that plays out for Hemmy. Might also wait for air lift bags.

 

[goblues38]

here is my truck with a car trailer empty...then full......it dropped about 1.5 inches.....car and trailer were about 4,500 pounds....no idea what the tongue weight was. used tow mode for the 325 mile trip on highway 44....even in hills....never got hotter then 225ish....and 14 mpg at 75mph

 

[AutoXRacer]

here is my truck with a car trailer empty...then full......it dropped about 1.5 inches.....car and trailer were about 4,500 pounds....no idea what the tongue weight was. used tow mode for the 325 mile trip on highway 44....even in hills....never got hotter then 225ish....and 14 mpg at 75mph



View attachment 350701

A Miata does not count towards towing weight...

J/K
I used to own and race a 99 NB... awesome cars.