So, I tow about once a month in my 99 F350 (SRW) 7.3 Diesel. I pull a 16' trailer with about 7000lbs on it.

Just wanted to see what everyone tows in. I turn the OD off and try not to exceed 65mph. Seems that at 65 I'm pushing around 2600RPM's.

Is this what everyone else does? Why are so many other trucks blowing by me...I assume they don't care much for the drivetrain on their trucks.

Any thoughts are appreciated-Dave

 

I tow in O/D with 13.000 lb.'s 70 mph at 2500 rpm's
7.3 410 Rear end, 1999 F350 DRW here in the Midwest.

 

Why shut of overdrive? Absolutely no reason to unless the transmission can't hold overdrive with the trailer. My V10-powered Excursion would turn ~2,000 RPMs in overdrive at 62 MPH.

Others may go faster, but they are burning lots more fuel than you. They are also risking a blowout because the overwhelming majority of trailer tires are only rated for 65 MPH.

 

I don't know , Im in O/D all the time.

 

Why would you say that? This transmission was designed to tow in overdrive. Other than wanting to burn a lot more fuel, why would you turn off the overdrive when towing?

 

Well, a few years ago I had a newer Ram 1500 with 360 automatic. I was towing with OD on and blew out the trans and rear end towing about the same weight.

The transmission shop asked me if I towed with OD on and I said yes. The shop indicated to turn OD off to avoid transmission damage.

So, after we got the Ram fixed I dediced we needed a bigger truck. Started looking at F250s (05,06 years) and noticed that the OD off button simply said tow.

Interesting what I'm getting from you guys. What sort of distance do you go? I'm towing about 600 miles in one day with about 150 of those miles in the Smokey Mountains.

 

The 05,06 trucks do not have an OD OFF button. They have a tow/haul button that does not turn off OD. It changes the speeds that the shifts occur at, but it will still shift into overdrive.

 

My Ex has towed in O/D almost 90% of the time, original trans, 290,000 miles. the only time I turn OD off is if the transmission starts "hunting" for gears wich is usually in heavy traffic or hilly areas.

 

Same here, or for EGT control.

 

i even tow my skid steer...(8k) with another 3k in attachments on a 4k trailer at 65 in OD on flat ground with 0 issues .....with a 5.4 and oversized tires and 3.73 gears and over 250k miles!!

 

In pickup trucks, I leave OD enabled when towing unless I am in the mountains or in stop and go traffic. When in the mountains, I prefer to pull steep grades around 2600-2800 rpm and I like the additional engine braking effect when OD is turned off. I also like the engine braking effect in city traffic so I turn it off there as well. The coast clutch is applied when OD is turned off so I keep it turned off when starting off from a dead stop with a heavy load, especially when heading uphill. I then turn OD back on once I am up to cruising speed and leave it alone.

In chassis cab trucks, I just leave OD on all the time since the PCM applies the coast clutch full time (except when in 4th gear).

 

7Klbs on a couple thousand lb trailer would be nothing for that truck. Should be able to do 75 in OD no problem. I'd argue you are doing far more harm and are far more dangerous poking around at under 65mph running 2600rpm all the time.

 

I turn OD off when it starts hunting for gears or EGT'S get too high otherwise I leave it alone. My 60 tow does a great job at controlling everything also.

 

The Dodge transmission in those days was junk, and the handbook instructions were to lock out overdrive. I had four transmissions in my first Dodge in 6 weeks - two failed while the dealer was testing the repair. I traded it on the way home from picking it up after the last repair effort, literally on the way home. Anyway, Ford is different. Run in overdrive.

Brian

 

Mark, I heard you were the resident expert on Ford transmissions. I have a 2003 Ford Excursion Limited 4x4 6.8 L that I am towing an 8000 + lb travel trailer with and I was wondering if I should be towing with the overdrive on or off? My Excursion has the transmission off button at the end of the shifter. Thanks for your help.