Cross country tow, am i going overboard on prep?

[Abisial]

I bought the Mav (offroad and tow package) used, and the previous owner slapped on bigger tires (unfortunately not big enough lol).

I ended up installing a 2 inch lift, reika drifter wheels (17x8 inch, +20 offset) and if like to put on 265/70/17 nitto grapplers.

Then I found out I'm getting stationed across the country (thanks Navy) and I figured my Maverick could handle what little I'm taking. Then I found out about gear ratio lol.

I'm not expecting to exceed my newly limited tow limit, but maybe cutting it close if i were to install the larger tires. In preparation, I just purchased the CFV intercooler and S&B cold air intake, will this be enough to keep the engine cool enough to drive this 25 hour/1600 mile stretch with the 265/70? I dont intent on stopping for more than it takes to fill up my tank and use the bathroom.

Does anyone have any tips?

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[todd92]

What newly limited tow rating? If you have the tow package your tow rating is 4000 lbs.

Intake will do nothing. Intercooler will help a little, but the Maverick will tow just fine without it.

Bigger, heavier tires reduce performance and efficiency, but will not overheat the engine.

I tow my 6x12 enclosed trailer all over the place, sometimes in hot summer weather, other than lower gas mileage I barely know it's back there.

 

[Abisial]

What newly limited tow rating? If you have the tow package your tow rating is 4000 lbs.

Intake will do nothing. Intercooler will help a little, but the Maverick will tow just fine without it.

Bigger, heavier tires reduce performance and efficiency, but will not overheat the engine.

I was under the impression based on previous posts that the gear ratios change with the larger tires, making the engine work hardertoo make up for the gears being off? If this is wrong, ill happily cancel my orders lol

 

[AutobahnSHO]

I was under the impression based on previous posts that the gear ratios change with the larger tires, making the engine work hardertoo make up for the gears being off? If this is wrong, ill happily cancel my orders lol

May mess up your transmission gearing.

Plus you'll get worse MPGs with more "off road" tires, which also makes the engine work harder.

(GO ARMY, BEAT NAVY!)

 

[EngineeredDetails]

Yeah, going with bigger tires you have effectively reduced your towing capacity to less than a Maverick without the tow package. Not saying you can't do it but your fuel efficiency and ability to climb hills will be greatly reduced.

 

[todd92]

Larger tires do reduce the effective gear ratio. Acceleration and MPG will suffer, but the truck won't overheat.

 

[Abisial]

Yeah, going with bigger tires you have effectively reduced your towing capacity to less than a Maverick without the tow package. Not saying you can't do it but your fuel efficiency and ability to climb hills will be greatly reduced.

I wish I understood the math enough to appreciate the work you put into it, but ima run with the part I do understand lol. Okay so if I'm sitting at the 245/65/17, should I hold off on the 265/70/17, if I plan on getting the most out of the 4k, or would the diference in tow capacity me minimal from that size jump?

 

[Abisial]

Having been in a joint environment, I can confirm; the army is better lol. Maybe not morale, or promotion, or technical training, or article 15s, or much else. But dammit are they army strong lol

May mess up your transmission gearing.

Plus you'll get worse MPGs with more "off road" tires, which also makes the engine work harder.

(GO ARMY, BEAT NAVY!)

 

[EngineeredDetails]

I wish I understood the math enough to appreciate the work you put into it, but ima run with the part I do understand lol. Okay so if I'm sitting at the 245/65/17, should I hold off on the 265/70/17, if I plan on getting the most out of the 4k, or would the diference in tow capacity me minimal from that size jump?

Yes, if you want the most out of the 4k then keeping the 245/65/17 puts you at a gear ratio of 3.72 which is way better than you would get with the 265/70/17

 

[JLB]

Use a trailer that uses your 4k tow package's electric brakes. A maverick doesn't weigh much, about 3500 lbs empty, so you will appreciate trailer braking in evasive situations. A 4k lb trailer without brakes will double your stopping distance.

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