Tow Vehicle F150

Not that I'm in any hurry to buy a Toyota but alot of the trucks were built and I think still are in a plant in Evansville IN. Actually Toyota has been pretty labor friendly in building their plants. Unlike all the other foreign plants in America Toyota use's union labor to build the plants and even writes into the contracts that all construction shall be done with local building trade agreements. I believe the assembly workers in California are represented by the UAW but it's the only one to my knowledge that is. As far as the precentage of the vehicle actually manufactured in the US I expect they are about the same as GM's vehicles. Saturn was at one time the most American Made vehicle. They made nearly the entire vehicles at a huge plant in Columbia TN. They cast blocks, assembled transmissions, made glass and even some of the electronics at this plant. I understand now they are using some Japanese made Honda engines in their vehicles. They used Japanese techniques at this plant and the workers while UAW members had reduced benefit packages.
 
Thanks for the info - I'll get a Scan Guage since I bought t base truck w/o even a tach -Intresting discussion about cars in general.
Hank
 
1. Put a high flow muffler under the truck. Make sure its a trusted name such as flow master, dinomax, magnaflow, etc. Leave the rest of the pipes as long as they are in good condition and just have the new muffler welded in. Most factory mufflers restrict airflow and cause more back pressure than needed. This in turn cause the engine to work harder and run a bit hotter than needed. Causing less horsepower and reduced mileage. Make sure that you avoid any flower master series 40 as these are a bit loud and unless you like the sound of a throaty V8. This minor change will yield minimal increase but when added together with the below suggestions it will help.
2. Change out the paper air filter for a high quality cotton filter. You can order one through AMS oil, or purchase one locally called K and N. These help w/ air flow to the combustion chambers. In doing so you have a more complete ignition of the fuel. Increases horsepower and fuel economy.
3. Make sure the trailer and truck are level with eachother. Put the trailer on the hitch. Stand back and view the angle of the trailer. The truck should not be squatting and the trailer should not be looking like its in a nose dive. Too much weight on the hitch is unsafe and causes for a poor ride in the tow vehicle. Adjust the heigh of the receiver to match what the trailer needs.
The new muffler shouldn't cost more than $100-150 depending on make, shop and say if you want a chrome tip welded to finish off the new job. The air filter shouldn't cost more than $45-60. Total high cost in both $210. What will you see in gain? Maybe 1-2 MPG and a few horses under the hood. Most say they notice a difference. Bottom line, when you read through the hot rod magazines from one to another and talk to most mechanics or those that want to make more power under the hood these are the two least expensive changes made that yield the highest bang for the buck. After these changes get ready to open the pocket book as you spend more money. No need too with the 5.4 as you have a great motor and the truck is more than capable of towing that boat around. If you can't do it with that truck then something else is wrong.
 
I have a 2007 F150 4x4 with the small v8 but with the towing package. I pulled a C Dory 22 from Tampa to Oak Harbor, Wa with no problems other than it got about 10 mpg. The truck handles the load well. In fact there is no doubt that this truck would pull the C Dory 25 just as well. The towing package is the key. The xmission cooler and low ratio rear end will pull alot. You don't even need brakes on the trailer with the C Dory 22 if you drive responsibly.
 
A couple of comments--and amplification--as far as level--you also want to actually put a level on the trailer, so that it is "level", especially with dual axles. Many trucks require a weight distribution hitch (its there in fine print on the hitch and in the manual) for any tow weight over 5000 lbs.

As far as brakes: check out: http://www.boatwheels.biz/brakelaws.pdf is one source--there are others.

State: Min Wt req brakes
Arizona: 3,000 lbs
Calif. 1,500 lbs
Or Stop within 25 feet at 25 mph if under 8,000 lbs
NV 1,500 lbs
Wa 3,000 lbs
Utah 3,000 lbs break away brakes required--one place says over 2000 lbs?

So only in Oregon can you legally tow a Dory 22, without trailer brakes--and I would not, because I am not sure that even my excursion would stop in 25 feet at 25 mph when towing a C Dory....
 
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