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Towing feasibility with a 2013 PP SHO

Started by Brewineer, December 24, 2018, 08:08:23 PM

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Brewineer

Hi all,

I only got my SHO a few months ago and am really enjoying it, even a 90 octane tune with stock everything is a crazy fast car!
Torrie at Unleashed does a fine job with that, for certain.

I am planning a big road trip, about 6 months in duration, leaving from my home in Alaska and ending somewhere on the east coast. Subsequently, I want to build out an enclosed single axle (max 3500#) 6 x 12 trailer into a nice camper for the trip.

My friend told me that the same chassis/drive-train in other Ford vehicles such as the Flex allow a towing capacity of up to 4500#, however, the SHO is not for towing, according to the manual. I also heard tell that with a proper tune, the SHO can do decently as a towing vehicle, so I reached out to Torrie to see what's feasible.

I might be driving this trailer over 3000 miles over the course of several months, and hundreds of miles at a time. Does anyone have any advice of experience with long-haul towing with their SHO? I'm hopeful that this could work with low risk, as the car has the PP, so the transmission cooler will earn it's keep. Of course, all fresh high end or OEM fluids before the trip, and the car is in peak maintenance since I bought it (fresh plugs, filters, fluids, TLC, etc).

Please let me know if I'm missing something here or what I should know before attempting such a thing!

2013 Gem Green Metallic SHO w/PP, Unleashed 90P Tune, AJP Boost Regulator, UPR Dual Catch Can, Air Springs, Tow Hitch
Next steps: 3bar Meth injection

ZSHO

#1
Considering the circumstances would not recommend it especially it being such a long haul through the cascade of mountains and all.
Best of luck on your venture.
Here's a similar topic to give you some insight. Z

https://www.ecoboostperformanceforum.com/index.php/topic,6383.msg102089.html#msg102089

https://www.etrailer.com/search-departments.aspx?pc=&refpage=https://www.ecoboostperformanceforum.com/index.php/topic,6383.msg102089.html


2013 Performance Package SHO| Livernois Custom Methanol Tune|3-Bar Map|Reische-170-Stat|Full Race Tial-10psi BOV in Black|PPE-Gloss Black Hot Pipes|EPP Dual Intake in Gloss Black|PPE Catted DP|Corsa Sport Cat Back Exhaust|H&R Sport-Springs|CFM Performance Billet Valve Cover Breather In Gloss Black|Llumar 20%Ceramic window Tint|MSD Ignition Coils in Black|Extreme Roof Spoiler|Redline Fluids all around|Gearhead Intercooler|First-SHO With Direct Port Alky-VP-M1-100%-Methanol Injection|LMS-Custom-Dyno-Tuned @ 415whp-465wtq| Best Trap Speed of 115.54 mph|

Gjkrisa

The rear springs is the reason it can't handle more then 1000 lbs
I have looked at it and think you can put air shocks in the middle of the rear springs to make it work better but you don't want to pull more then 2000 or 2500 until some one understands how much the breaks will work

Sent from my Pixel 2 XL using Tapatalk

2016 Taurus SHO pp Shadow Black
diy emblems,jms boost max, FORscan modder

fast1195

I have a similar platform (MKS Ecoboost), which is roughly equivalent to a non-pp SHO, and have towing experience with a 14' 2000 pound pop up camper. While there are things that can be done to improve the towing experience (suspension, breaks, aux oil cooler, ect), the biggest problem you will face is a mix of weight balancing and speed wobble. Even keeping a majority of the weight in front of the trailer axle, going above 60-65MPH with lane changes or even a slight gust of wind will force you to counter steer the trailer to prevent trailer sway back and forth. This counter-steering game is not fun after 2-3 hours, causes unwanted wear on all driveline components and is ultimately unsafe. Trailering horses for many years has taught me all about what specs are more or less "guidelines", and in this case, the length and weight of our platform are more of a restriction than anything. Even given the proper preparations, I would absolutely never consider more than ~2500lbs @15', and at that weight would stay at or below 55MPH. 

2013 MKS Ecoboost Ingot Silver - Catless Downpipes - Escort Max360 - Firestorm HPFP-40 - Gearhead Intercooler - KMC Maze Machined Aluminum - Livernois 93 - MDesign Intake - MRT Black Axle Backs - Oil Valve Cover Breather - Opticoat Ceramic Coating - Rhino-Rack roof racks  -  Vented Underbody Shield - XPEL clear bra - 2" Class 3 Tow Hitch - 3 Bar Map

SHOdded

#4
Not having trailer sway is definitely a downside.  Don't know if Ford even offers it on passenger cars.  The 2011+ Edge does have it as part of the towing package.
https://owner.ford.com/support/how-tos/safety/driver-assist-technology/trailers-towing-loading/trailer-sway-control.html
2007 Ford Edge SEL, Powerstop F/R Brake Kit, TXT LED 6000K Lo & Hi Beams, W16W LED Reverse Bulbs, 3BSpec 2.5w Map Lights, 5W Cree rear dome lights, 5W Cree cargo light, DTBL LED Taillights

If tuned:  Take note of the strategy code as you return to stock (including 3 bar MAP to 2 bar MAP) -> take car in & get it serviced -> check strategy code when you get car back -> have tuner update your tune if the strategy code has changed -> reload tune -> ENJOY!

Macgyver

What about a sway bar ? My Dad used one for years camping to get rid of that.

Vortech347

Matt H.
2013 SHO Performance Pack, Daily, AJPTurbo tuned
2003 SVT Cobra 497rwhp/491rwtq, Self tuned, Cruiser
1990 Mustang GT 570rwhp/530twtq, Self tuned, Open Track
2017 F150 XLT 5.0

Brewineer

Thanks for the feedback!

I've got a set of air springs for the rear to be installed. 

I'll borrow my friend's pop-up for a couple weekend trips to feel out the tow ability and decide if I want to try with a larger trailer later on.
2013 Gem Green Metallic SHO w/PP, Unleashed 90P Tune, AJP Boost Regulator, UPR Dual Catch Can, Air Springs, Tow Hitch
Next steps: 3bar Meth injection

Macgyver

Quote from: Brewineer on February 13, 2019, 06:08:44 PM
Thanks for the feedback!

I've got a set of air springs for the rear to be installed. 

I'll borrow my friend's pop-up for a couple weekend trips to feel out the tow ability and decide if I want to try with a larger trailer later on.

Get a sway bar for the trailer.