DOES MY TRUCK HAVE A TOW PACKAGE? | Pete's RV Quick Tips

[@abdullahal-shimri3091]

This video is worth a million bucks. I can't believe I was so ignorant in terms of towing. Thank you!

[@stevereid9913]

Me too, thanks for this video

[@petepeterson7230]

For newbie RV owners this should be a mandatory vid to view.

[@pramponi]

Great basic explanations. Now I understand the brake controller and the door sticker on my truck better.

[@sounddoctrine6159]

Thank you! Best to the point video without a lot of fluff talk! Thank you and I am ready to travel!

[@stevewhitsett7744]

I used to agree with not using cruise while towing. After many years of towing... I will now conditionally disagree. I would still recommend not using cruise while descending a big hill or in bad weather. However, for normal cruising on the interstate, I use cruise control. Frankly, with today’s powerful trucks and 8 and 10 speed transmissions, the truck just does a better job of safety maintaining your chosen speed than you can do manually. This eliminates one variable allowing you to focus on road conditions, other vehicles etc... It just makes a more comfortable towing experience and allows the driver to be more alert and less fatigued on long hauls. You still want to pay attention to how the truck is running.. making sure the engine isn’t lugging or shifting up and down too much, but in general, I run with the cruise on.

[@djohnson542]

On many vehicles, it must be in cruise control for the hill holding and other towing features to work.

[@stevesmith-ny8jb]

Excellent info, very helpful. Perfect professional delivery also. If I cant use cruise control, then Im not towing!

[@petesrvtv]

Thanks for watching!

[@troykemp3371]

Learned more in the length of this video then probably 10 others ty much .....1st time tower here

[@Bitcoin_Shango]

Just wanted to say thank you 🙏🏾

[@petesrvtv]

Happy to help!

[@tarasunderland6605]

Very helpful video with lots of info. I'm new to trucks and learned I do have a tow package :) Thanks!

[@petesrvtv]

Happy to help, Tara!

[@fosterrignola5196]

Dude, thank you so much. I could not find this info ANYWHERE else on the internet. You're the man!

[@petesrvtv]

Glad to help, Foster!

[@luhisslukus]

great tip with the cruise control. Thanks

[@petesrvtv]

Glad we could help! :)

[@ashleylosurdo1808]

I found this so helpful, I bought a Ram 1500 Hemi and feel so ignorant of its capabilities. Glad to know I'm ready to tow when I get to that point.

[@petesrvtv]

Happy to help, Ashley!

[@paulhunter9613]

The ignorance also applies to the salesman,I asked the guy multiple questions about towing and he or a couple other sales guys couldn’t answer them. They leave it up to you to research it 🤬

[@rayw5289]

Thank you. I learned a lot, including things I did not know, that I didn't know.

[@shannonjensen3855]

Wow! I've been schooled! Thanks so much for the coaching!

[@tigerfn84]

Great info. Very cleaver to lean a "PETESRV" over your personal plate. Good call.

[@ksmark100]

Great, informative video!! Thank you!! 👍

[@jonathanrose829]

Good information, Also don't forget about rolling the window down for us hounds while towing

[@pauljnolan1000]

Excellent video; excellent presentation. Thank you very much.

[@karenalmond6]

Wow you’re really good direct to the point but easy to understand. Really well explained. Thank you for this video.

[@seancallinan5352]

Getting ready to haul a trailer cross country with a Tacoma... Thanks for teaching me in 5 minutes more than my trash dad did in 18 years. lol

[@JimmyDickens1]

Randy - Great tips! Thanks for sharing.

[@1patriotguy1]

Great information. Thank you. I'm new to pulling a RV. I knew about turning off the O/D, but didn't know about not using cruise control. Makes total sense.

[@ManWander]

It sounded to me like towing on wet surfaces with cruise control was an issue. So on dry roads maybe okay...?

[@mr.c6383]

this info is also helpful for "what to look for when buying a vehicle" (new or used) to be used for towing

[@cpyt-o8s]

Thanks for this video - I never grew up around trucks much and this was really helpful

[@petesrvtv]

Happy to help, Chris!

[@regulardude2011]

Thanks for sharing and educating!

[@philfoster4298]

Easiest way to find out if the truck has a factory installed tow package, call a dealer and give them the VIN number of the vehicle and they will tell you whether it does or doesn’t. My 2011 Ford has the Tow/Haul feature but does not have the Tow Package so this may not be a good indicator.

[@apequestrian2066]

Thank you so much for making this video. It was very helpful and informative. 👏🏻

[@petesrvtv]

Happy to help!

[@McCuneWindandSolar]

I guess don't have the slide bard thing but I have all the rest. Look's like something I will have to get installed.

[@robertflores5234]

Nice! I have an electric brake controller added to my Nissan Titan when I bought our travel trailer. But, the instructions given to us verbally and written were a little sketchy. I know all vehicles are different but maybe you can make a video on how to use and adjust the unit safely? Love your work. Wish I lived closer to you but my wife and I are in Southern California. We admire you from a far!!

[@RandalMurrayPRV]

HEY THERE ROBERT! I WILL PUT YOUR REQUEST IN THE HOPPER FOR THAT VIDEO, THANKS FOR WATCHING. I STRONGLY RECOMMEND GETTING THE MAKE AND MODEL FROM YOUR BRAKE CONTROLLER AND SEARCHING FOR THE OWNERS MANUAL ON LINE IF YOU HAVE NOT DONE SO ALREADY. EVERY CONTROLLER IS A LITTLE DIFFERENT AND THEY ALSO SO HAVE DIFFERENT WAYS TO INCREASE AND DECREASING GAIN (POWER TO THE BRAKES) THEY CAN ALSO HAVE FAULT CODES THAT APPLY TO YOUR PARTICULAR CONTROLLER THAT IT IS IMPORTANT THAT THE USER KNOW IF THAT SITUATION ARISES. THANKS AGAIN FOR WATCHING! RANDY (I am sure if you are use to Southern California, living closer to me in Northern Vermont may be a little of a temperature shock to you and you will understand why I was wearing a jacket in April during the shooting of this video! :) )

[@slimbeaux]

Thanks Randy and Pete's RV. As always an informative and entertaining video.

[@KevinBruceRoy316]

Amazing video man thank you very much!!

[@petesrvtv]

Glad you enjoyed it, Kevin!

[@Susan-ur2vd]

Wow! Great info and perfect delivery of the info. No stammering just straight great info! I have so much to learn about trucks and tow packages. I have been looking for a used truck for towing. There is so much info out there that is so confusing when you are buying used. If you do not know what to look for then you have no idea what a good deal actually is for a truck. Blah! So thank you so much for giving folks a few items to look for when shopping for a truck. BTW brand new to your channel. Now I see all your other videos and see why you are a great public speaker. Practice! Lol

[@juliekern4412]

Such great information! Thank you!

[@kamransalem]

Thank you for your insight brother! This was very helpful. 👍🏼

[@petesrvtv]

Happy to help, Kamran!

[@cburns117]

Great informative video. Thanks.

[@petesrvtv]

Thanks for watching!

[@adp_zl1123]

Thanks! Very helpful

[@petesrvtv]

Glad it helped!

[@rickwells7833]

Thank you lots of help

[@gadroberts]

Great info that’s the best I’ve see it explained. We have our rig ordered and will pick in the next few months. Thanks so much!

[@petesrvtv]

Glad it was helpful!

[@iPreferHEMIS]

Great video. I learned something in the first minute

[@petesrvtv]

Glad to help!

[@VJWLPN1]

Excellent teaching!! Thank you!

[@mphillips7819]

Excellent overview.

[@grntchstrmdws]

Doesn't the "tow package" also include an engine oil cooler and transmission cooler? And a bigger radiator?

[@connielott8764]

Great Video!! Very informative!!

[@charlierossalaska]

Thank you Randy! Great simple short concise video. Learned a lot. Will have to go find the rest of yours.

[@davidbaker6084]

Thank you 🙏

[@peteromicioli1269]

Hi Randy. Very informative video and well presented. Any chance you could make a video on how to adjust the gain on the trailer brake controller?

[@troykemp3371]

Yes please do ....

[@kulkajim]

Outstanding tips!

[@JeremyTheApe]

It's a shame manufacturer's don't just add all the additional options like a towing package to the sticker at 2:00. As it is, it seems like you have to get the Bletchley code breakers to determine how much weight we can tow. Beyond the annoyance of not being able to quickly tell what a truck is setup for, it seems like a safety risk to me... as I can see someone easily making the mistake of thinking they have the towing package on a pre-owned truck, when they actually don't. Especially on a mid-size truck where having the towing / trailing package is essential for being able to safely tow certain weights.

[@FordTruckGuyKyle]

I Own a 2012 F-150 Lariet FX4 6.2 Ford Powered V8! 6.5 bed! 3:73 gear ratio! 6 speed automatic! 4WD! Ingot Silver paint! Platinum factory 2012 F-150! S&B Cold air intake! Pedal command! 3 inch Exhaust system! Super 44 flowmaster! resonator delete! 5 inch exhaust tip! Max towing 11,300 pounds!

[@paulhunter9613]

Do! You! Really!

[@JaimeRestrepo61]

Cool info

[@andycree8968]

Excellent video! THank you very much for posting.

[@petesrvtv]

You are so welcome! Subscribe and stay tuned for more tips and tricks!

[@cbacon6734]

Thank you so much Randy! You've provided some great education for me as i want to buy a camper that is reasonably sized (length as well as height) yet very realistic to my truck's payload and towing capability, next year. I am gaining as much wisdom from people like yourself before i do. Fortunately, i have all of the items you pointed out except for the tow brake unit on the dash of my 1/2 ton pickup which I'll obviously have installed. I am assuming i may not have a trans cooler, and if not, I will most likely invest to have one installed because I will be towing in the grading hills and small mountain regions of the north east. Thanks again and i am now a subscriber.

[@ralphmcmullen7813]

good info, but must be more for new vehicles?I have a 99 jimmy 4x4 with tow package. dosn't have that 7 contact plug, or brake assist. just the tow/haul button and a hitch. but it also has a kinda of air bag thing that helps with loads on the springs.

[@STEAMBOLTANNIE]

Very informative Thank You

[@silas85711]

Awesome video and easy to understand. Thank you :)

[@AbbieAncheta]

Thank you so much for this!

[@petesrvtv]

Happy to help, Abbie!

[@earag31415]

Got 2014 Durango. Would the thermostat be the same whether towing package or not?

[@richardmusante225]

That was good, but I need to know if I have a transmission cooler installed. I did poke around the engine compartment and see some small coolant lines buried under some shrouds and covers, but so far I can't see an extra cooler until I rip off all the covers. I also tried to check the VIN with Ford and they couldn't tell if it had a tow package on my 130K, 1991 Ford Expedition. Any hints?

[@deant876]

Randy you talked about PAYLOAD capacity and not gross combination weight rating (how much the truck, trailer, and cargo can weigh). I do find it hard to find that info

[@macicle]

Very helpful info. Thanks !!!!

[@shadyfieldhomestead1974]

Okay my truck as a tow package like you mentioned. I have a 2014 f150 3.7L V6 super crew. I have a 20ft boat that weighs 2175 lbs. Not sure how much the trailer weighs but it’s a single axle. Can my truck tow that and put in and out of the water fine?

[@PaulWeberMusic]

Thanks for that. Some things I learned the hard way, like not to use cruise control. Ouff! Never do that again.

[@H3nryg]

Great vid indeed

[@xorcst]

I have a Chevy. I have all those, but mine says trailer package. they also offer a tow package. I don’t know the difference

[@slicklad]

So I bought a used 2008 Silverado from a dealership a few years ago. I have a cab over camper and trying to get tie downs installed on the truck. I have a hitch but how do I tell if it’s from the factory or aftermarket? For the right tie downs i need to know if it’s after market or factory

[@thomasdipaolo2349]

Good info. Learned these the hard way. :)

[@jerryg957]

I have a Chevy 1500 that has tow button on the shiftier, I tow a small 14 ft jon boat. Last year the light on the dash board quit lighting up so I don't know it the tow is engaged or not. If in fact the tow option is not working do you have any idea what were looking at as far as cost to get it repaired. Great explanation on that video, had no idea your not suppose to use cruise control while towing.

[@dillon1577]

Jerry G on my 05 chevy, the same thing happened. Apparently that orange wire is known for coming loose or chafing. I had to put my truck in drive or all the way down to 1, then push tow/haul mode. You have to shut it off in the same spot you turn it on in. Hope this is it and it helps.

[@ruslankoruniak2324]

If I don’t have a towing package? Can I install? F150 3.3 2018. I checked by door my towing capacity 6500 lb. What I can do?

[@TOMMYHAWK77]

Thanks Randy. Very helpful. Question for you, if the vehicle has a tow/haul switch (2019 RAM LARAMIE) does this mean that it automatically has the towing package? I know it has the hitch, wiring harness and brake controller but I do not know that it has the towing package, ie: extra cooling for radiator, transmission. Thanks Again!

[@mappsvilleboi]

Holy hell very informative! Great job guy

[@travingalloverthemap8375]

My truck does not have the hitch receiver but it does have a hole in front of the license plate in the back I got the truck from my dad he took the 7-wayplug-in off years ago and I don't remember if it was an official one or not

[@zmpq711]

Great, Awsome video. learned a few things. Thanks!

[@zygmuntziokowski7877]

Pete excellent. If you don't have a brake controller on the truck, but the truck is pre-wired for towing, it is easy to install. Do you install a Ford brake controller or 3rd party one? And if it is a 3rd party one, what do you recommend? Thanks!

[@petesrvtv]

Hi Zygmunt, brake controllers are universal but you must have the correct adapters for your vehicle.

[@STEAMBOLTANNIE]

what is the towing weight of that truck?

[@kelliandthekids7901]

Great video, thank you so much. I just bought a new 2021 Ford F-150 without the added tow package but with the 7 prong plug. It does not have the integrated brake controller option on the inside as your truck does so no one, including the service and sales dept at the dealership can tell me if it will work the brakes on my new rv? Do you know? Thank you.

[@Localdriver1990]

Great video!!

[@lordneeko]

My Used frontier has the 7-way but no brake control within the cab. Where would I look to be able to find where they may have run the wires to? Not sure if it was factory or installed later.

[@73av8r5]

I learned about all of this AFTER I bought the travel trailer. Luckily I’m ok on weight but I could see people getting way too much trailer for the tow vehicle.

[@blackicethehusky5894]

What about a 1985 ford f150?

[@Supernova12034]

Awesome video!

[@alekseyy9277]

Good info

[@stevenwallace1449]

Hi Randy we have a 2012 F150 w/ tow pkg but no trailer brake controller do we need to have one installed ? we will pull a #5900 Forest River.

[@jamesblake6943]

Great video....thanks for the information....

[@tucsonjack3991]

If you don’t know if your truck has a tow package how should I know.

[@mathewshoyt1763]

Great video...quick ? Depending on the weight on trailer...is is better to put the truck in Drive or in Manual mode?

[@randalmurray3624]

Hey there Mathew, I have pulled some pretty large campers in my day and have never found the need to use manual mode in normal towing and weather conditions. Today’s truck transmissions are pretty smart. If I was pulling a long steep grade I may want to use a lower gear to keep rpms up to help with cooling. With the truck is in tow and haul I find I can make the truck shift up and down when I want by manipulating the fuel peddle in conjunction with the rpm’s. Thanks for the question! -Randy

[@markmartin6309]

I see you have the Gas f250. How is it performing while pulling your trailers etc? Just looking for some perspective compared to getting the diesel. Thanks!

[@randalmurray3624]

Hey there Mark, I love this truck! The new cab design is awesome, more room and super comfortable to drive. I opted in for the gas motor when I ordered it because I do a lot of driving between our three locations in New England with no trailer behind me. So the extra 9k for the diesel didn’t make sense for me personally. This gas truck with 3:73 gears will move 10,000lbs all day long without working it. Don’t get me wrong, the new diesel is awesome and the dealership has a couple. Just didn’t make sense for me for the money and the miles I put on, and how often I trade the trucks in. Thanks for watching! Randy

[@susiepittman601]

Thank you.

[@northerniltree]

My name is Pete. I have an RV. I want a PETESRV plate! But, I was established in 1959. Would you still sell one to me?

[@johni6138]

Good stuff, ty!

[@petesrvtv]

Happy to help, John!

[@berto01]

So how do you know if you have the extra transmission cooler? I have a 2009 1/2 ton silverado 5.3. It came with hitch, plug, trailer brakes and the tow mode but I still don't know if I have the extra trans cooler?

[@paulhunter9613]

Look for a data plate or sticker on the truck that has the option codes on it, like L48 or C66 for example. When deciphering those code numbers it will tell you if it has tow

[@timlist4173]

so what does the transmission cooler look like and where would it be installed?

[@deant876]

Typically the trans cooler is in the front of the radiator. It can be as small as 8 inch by 8 inch, or like mine (on a Ram dually) is 3/4 the size of my radiator. And it will look like an A/C condenser (or a thin radiator)

[@mattvino8056]

Hi Randy- great! I do have a couple of questions though. I just got a 2018 F250. It does not have the factory installed brake controller. Can I use an after market or do I need to install the OEM controller? Also my dashboard does not appear to have the trailer options on the screen. The only trailer option is an "anti sway" mode. My truck does have the receiver and the 4 pin and 7 pin electrical receivers. Please let me know what the best option is. thanks, Matt

[@randalmurray3624]

mattvino Hey there Matt, I wished I had more time to answer all the questions on here, I do apologize for the delayed reply. If you have not had your truck equipped with a controller as of yet and still have questions shoot me an email [e-mail] Thanks for watching!

[@TWC6724]

What model 250 is this ford? Your payload is great. I would want one like this.

[@unkwm128]

great info thanks

[@MonopolyBag]

Thx for info

[@anthonymarron2055]

Top left 41 seconds

[@banjoman15]

good to know!

[@bigtrucklittlerv7969]

Read your payload capacity and don't exceed it. Scale your setup!

[@oncornflake]

Hi

[@larryswars5338]

Why is it your truck has 3200 payload and my truck is 2200 and it the same truck???????

[@surrfer990]

Mine sucks, max tow package long bed with a payload of 1724. I pretty much can bring my wife with a glass of water

[@TWC6724]

@@surrfer990 Ha ha ha. That is funny, this is exactly why I am thinking of not getting a Ram 1500. Want one really bad it can tow a lot but the payload is horrible. Going to bump up to a 2500 or F250.