Towing Camper Experience - Noise and Smell

[ImGoose]

I just wrapped up a road trip where I towed a small ~2,200 lb camper about 1,500 miles. I do have the 4k Tow Package. Mileage on the truck was over 1,000 as recommended in the manual.

The experience was really good. The camper has electric brakes, so that helped a lot. I have minimal towing experience, but felt it towed really well.

I have a pair of questions:

When in Tow Mode, the truck will do its best not to change gears as often. When it's pushing to stay in a gear while needing to accelerate, I hear a rattle under the hood. As soon as the acceleration is done, the sound goes away (or if the truck has to downshift). Any thoughts what that could be?

When towing, I am noticing a smell. It's tough to tell what it is, but it smells like either oil or plastic that's heated or even burning. No smoke. Oil level looks perfectly fine at the top notch on the stick. Is this just extra strain on the engine and parts being used harder, causing them to be warmer and putting off the smell? The smell does not exist when not towing.

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[JanTheSexyVektan]

I sure don't know about any rattle but a new vehicle will emit smells for awhile until it is completely broken in. Flames? Smoke? you should worry.

 

[catinthebathtub]

When in Tow Mode, the truck will do its best not to change gears as often. When it's pushing to stay in a gear while needing to accelerate, I hear a rattle under the hood. As soon as the acceleration is done, the sound goes away (or if the truck has to downshift). Any thoughts what that could be?

Regarding the rattle, just curious if you ran premium or not while towing? i dont know if you are familiar with or ever heard pre-ignition in a engine before. (AKA, pinging and detonation)
The smell is likely exhaust (shielding & insulation) and the catalytic converter and will likely be gone next time you tow.
i have a maverick in houston too. i have towed a 1500# trailer with none of the side effects you mentioned, but maybe only 100 miles at a time.

 

[ImGoose]

I was using 87 octane on the trip. I'll be towing again later this week and will go with higher grade to see how that effects the sound.

Ordered an OBD Bluetooth dongle last night and will have it for the upcoming trip and be able to report back.

 

[TSAINTS1115]

Too much pinging would throw a code I'd think after a while.

 

[Z_ealot]

I was using 87 octane on the trip. I'll be towing again later this week and will go with higher grade to see how that effects the sound.

Ordered an OBD Bluetooth dongle last night and will have it for the upcoming trip and be able to report back.

Your owners manual specifically states to use premium gas when towing, please read the owners manual before towing next time

 

[ImGoose]

Your owners manual specifically states to use premium gas when towing, please read the owners manual before towing next time

I'm not trying to argue with you here, but it only says that performance difference will be most noticable when towing or high heat. I can't see anywhere that it says premium gas is required when towing.

Either way, I'll be switching to premium on the next trip.

 

[Z_ealot]

I'm not trying to argue with you here, but it only says that performance difference will be most noticable when towing or high heat. I can't see anywhere that it says premium gas is required when towing.

Either way, I'll be switching to premium on the next trip.

You’re right, my mistake

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