Towing - Windshield & Door Open?

Steve Craig said:
http://www.ford.com/resources/ford/general/pdf/towingguides/15RV&TT_Ford_F150_r1_Jan12.pdf

Hitch Receiver Weight Capacity, bottom RH on page 4.
My '13 5.0 will also haul our boat easily without the WD set up but it's another animal when looking at handling.
Click to expand...
Yes, that says the same thing as the RV & Trailer Towing Guide does on Page 28. Strange that the owner's manual no longer says that.

As as for handling, I'm taking a dry run about a week before we leave, so if there are handling issues I'll know. And, this will be a worst-case run as I won't have lightened the boat, so the boat will be heavy and the truck will be light. But when we take the trip the boat will be light and the truck heavy, which should make a noticeable difference. So, if there are handling problems I'll have time to add the WD hitch.

Fortunately our towing will be on straight roads for the most part, and the few curves we will have will be on lower-speed sections of road. Further, boats have less side loading from wind than other trailers, so we should be fine.
 
I'm thinking you will probably be just fine as is. Not too much away from the limits imposed. Boat full of gas & water, truck full of people & gear will add a few hundred lbs..
My tow to the ramp is about a 20 minute drive with some long & severe hills. Showing about 3500 RPM on the way up the hills & a little less on the way down when the engine braking kicks in.
Good luck with it.
This is the Reese SC system I'm using.
http://www.reeseprod.com/products/w...sway-control/xihofqeC8HIGprL2iUUAa3X3|rlxitHa
This is the Reese pole tongue adaptor
http://www.americanrvcompany.com/Reese-58393-Pole-Tongue-Adapter-&-Fastener-Kit-Camper-Trailer-RV

I'm pulling +/- 6800 lbs with a '13 F150 4X4 running a 5.0 litre rated 5000 lbs off the sales lot.
I can get up to 7800 lbs. with the WD set-up.
 
Thanks, Steve. My boat/trailer combo will be pretty close to the specified dry weight of 5000# as I'll have the gas tank essentially empty and anything that could be easily stolen in the truck. With 2 adults and luggage for 2 weeks we won't be overloaded.

But, thanks for the links. If I need to go with a WD hitch I now have some place to start.
 
I tow my 250 with the cover on but it does have hook style snaps at the front and regular snaps on the rest of it. Never had an issue and it's clean inside when you get to where you are going.
 
I use to tow with them closed with covers off, but several summers ago I lost one of the seats. Must have blown out on the high way at some point. I now always tow with the covers on.
 
Alwhite00 - I don't think I've seen that style of snap. We have regular snaps all the way 'round. So it think I'll use some pieces of duct tape to ensure the snaps don't come loose. And, I have two long and wide ratchet straps that I'm going to use to keep the covers from flapping. At least, that's the plan.

PremiumPower - That's another excellent reason to tow with the covers on. I'd REALLY hate to lose a seat cushion. Thanks for the heads-up.
 
The downside to those twisting snaps is that they stick up a little higher and would be uncomfortable if a knee or elbow leaned on them. They are nice though - I used one at the base of the windshield, on either side of my center window on my Sundancer, since I didn't have any snaps across the center of the center windshield (a walking area).

Don't use duct tape - it will leave a sticky mess. If you want to tape the front edge of the bow cover (even though this area really doesn't get a strong blast of air), use Hull Preservation Tape (it's like shrink wrap tape, but leaves little to no residue... and regular shrink wrap tape leaves even less goo than duct tape to start with).

I'm curious if the straps from the ratchet straps could wear the covers. Regardless of how tight you get the straps, there's going to be some movement which will cause friction and wear. The other part of this is that you won't be able to make the straps very tight for fear of ripping the covers. That means the straps will be barely taught, at best. They may also vibrate/rub against your gelcoat. But, I've never used straps (never found the need) so I can't say if this is just theory, or not. You should be able to get the covers taught (not super-duper tight) with just the poles. Certainly anything can happen, but in all my years of towing I've always been good with just the poles and snaps.

I really don't think it's necessary, but if you want to do anything extra, just use the preservation tape in areas you want to (the whole perimeter, if you want).
 
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alwhite00 - Ok, now I know what "snaps" you are talking about. Thanks.

LazyDaze - I have been worried about both things you mentioned: residue from the tape, and chafing from the straps. So, maybe the "hull preservation tape" is the way to go. I hadn't heard of that stuff, but will check it out. Looks like West Marine carries it and I have to go there next week anyway. Thanks.
 
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