Towing 260DA

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F150 pulled thru... at 8mpg using 87grade and 10mpg using 93grade, doing 65-70mph.
Pulled 300 miles without a problem. Will update after trip...
 
Glad you made it safely, but... I suppose the questions I, and others, asked, which were all centered around safety, fell upon deaf ears...
 
Glad you made it safely, but... I suppose the questions I, and others, asked, which were all centered around safety, fell upon deaf ears...
Or, he listened, took all the advice he could, performed all of the safety checks, towed his boat without issue, and enjoyed it!
 
Or, he listened, took all the advice he could, performed all of the safety checks, towed his boat without issue, and enjoyed it!
I hope so, I really do. I just worry that safety is sacrificed for convenience.
 
I hope so, I really do. I just worry that safety is sacrificed for convenience.
Safety was #1 concern. I tested the trailer brakes on the parking lot and F150s E brake controller was set so the trailer brakes did most of the braking. Trailer was newer and rated for 9000lbs. Truck had tons of power and could probably pull another 5000 lbs without a problem. I was in tow mode and 4H and you could hear the engine working and trying to slow down on the downhills.

Long story short is the truck can do it, you must have a good trailer with perfectly working brakes and be confident in your driving ability. Take it easy, watch your surroundings and leave plenty of room ahead of you.
 
Or, he listened, took all the advice he could, performed all of the safety checks, towed his boat without issue, and enjoyed it!
I've been thinking about this for couple of months before the trip. Safety was #1
 
Good, glad to hear more information and that there was more thought put into this than what was initially said in the thread.

Questions... You towed in "4H"... why tow in 4wd hi? You mentioned "e-brake controller" again... does your trailer have EOH brakes instead of surge (you didn't mention this above)? Brakes on both axles, right?

FYI, anytime I've spec'd Venture trailers for your model 260DA, I have always put it on their tri-axle. Actually, a few customers, early on, wanted the dual axle - but they started having issues. Ventures, from experience, don't like to be used close to their weight rating - they're just not stout enough. Have seen multiple problems, over and over again, with Ventures - especially when near their stated limit. So much so that I stopped using them. I only mention this as a heads up to make sure to keep your boat weight as low as possible to lessen your possbility of an issue. The larges Venture aluminum with dual axles has an 8,700lb rating and that just isn't enough for "regular" trailering of that 260DA. But if you keep it stripped down, it can work.
 
I was in tow mode and 4H and you could hear the engine working and trying to slow down on the downhills.

.

I love the tow mode, "Jake Braking". When towing through Duluth MN on the hills, it's really nice.
 
towed my last and current 260DA with a F350SD power stroke. Rather have to much truck than not enough. Its a heavy load, epecialy to stop.
 

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I felt like it towed a lot better in 4H, it gave the truck more control of the load. Yes, the trailer had Electric brakes on both axles. Stopping was not a problem nor was the pulling. This was my friends trailer, I do not own one. He also has a 2008 260DA. I plan to buy a trailer next year and plan to get a 3 axle.


Good, glad to hear more information and that there was more thought put into this than what was initially said in the thread.

Questions... You towed in "4H"... why tow in 4wd hi? You mentioned "e-brake controller" again... does your trailer have EOH brakes instead of surge (you didn't mention this above)? Brakes on both axles, right?

FYI, anytime I've spec'd Venture trailers for your model 260DA, I have always put it on their tri-axle. Actually, a few customers, early on, wanted the dual axle - but they started having issues. Ventures, from experience, don't like to be used close to their weight rating - they're just not stout enough. Have seen multiple problems, over and over again, with Ventures - especially when near their stated limit. So much so that I stopped using them. I only mention this as a heads up to make sure to keep your boat weight as low as possible to lessen your possbility of an issue. The larges Venture aluminum with dual axles has an 8,700lb rating and that just isn't enough for "regular" trailering of that 260DA. But if you keep it stripped down, it can work.
I A
 
I love the tow mode, "Jake Braking". When towing through Duluth MN on the hills, it's really nice.


It did the job, that's for sure. I am just not sure how it would hold up if I towed it every weekend 600+ miles...

I keep this boat in a slip 5 minutes from my house so I wont tow it often, but I do plan to take it to Northern Michigan couple times a season and I think F150 can handle that :)
 
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I love the tow mode, "Jake Braking". When towing through Duluth MN on the hills, it's really nice.
I need to get couple of those lounge mats that lady is laying on. What kind are those and where did you get them from?
 
I felt like it towed a lot better in 4H, it gave the truck more control of the load. Yes, the trailer had Electric brakes on both axles. Stopping was not a problem nor was the pulling. This was my friends trailer, I do not own one. He also has a 2008 260DA. I plan to buy a trailer next year and plan to get a 3 axle

OK. I would advise against towing in 4WD. You can do damage to the driveline. I have no idea how many tens of thousands of miles I have trailering, but I only tow in 2WD (although 4Auto is OK - but of no real benefit and will slightly lower fuel economy). This info should be in your owner's manual, but 4WD Hi and Lo should never be used on dry surfaces.
 
I also tow my '06 260, but with a F-250 super duty diesel. I have a triple axle Venture trailer with surge brakes which works well, no issues.
Gobs of power with the diesel, it'll pull the tongue right off the trailer but as many have said, stopping is the concern, you just have to be smart.
I do a lot of towing with our toy hauler trailer for our dirt bikes so i'm used to towing but I always have to be on top of my game. You'll get used to it with more experience.
 
I also tow my '06 260, but with a F-250 super duty diesel. I have a triple axle Venture trailer with surge brakes which works well, no issues.
Gobs of power with the diesel, it'll pull the tongue right off the trailer but as many have said, stopping is the concern, you just have to be smart.
I do a lot of towing with our toy hauler trailer for our dirt bikes so i'm used to towing but I always have to be on top of my game. You'll get used to it with more experience.
 

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