Okay, so I have a Ford F250HD with a 351W and a E4OD transmission. My friend has asked me if I could pull a bobcat skidloader to his church for his Eagle Scout project. The thing is, I don't think the engine will mind it, and I also have a trailer brake connector, so that solves that problem but I am concerned about the E4OD. It does have a small aux cooler in addition to the built in radiator cooler. Will it be able to handle that kind of weight? Even if it can make it there, will it sustain any major damage?

Thanks!

 

Turn O/D off and you'll be just fine.

 

Your truck will be fine. I have seen lesser trucks pull more. I wouldn't worry about the transmission. I would kick it out of overdrive and haul away. I have pulled heavier with my dads old 90 f-250 with a 460 e4od trans 4x4. There is a difference in the engines but the trans will function and perform the same. Take it easy and make sure you have your trailer brakes set and you are ready to go.

 

I wouldn't think it would be any kind of issue. I pulled a mini excavator with my '79 F150 with a 400 (manual trans) with no power issues, although I did have to engage 4 lo to make it up a paved hill at one point (spinning rear wheels)...

 

Do you have much experience pulling a trailer? The key to pulling any trailer is weight balance. To much tongue weight no steering. Not enough tongue weight and your rear end will dance around. Not to mention if there is to much tongue weight or the tractor is to far forward you run the risk of overloading the rear springs and the possibility of bending them, not to common but possible. Balance the tractor over the (tandem) wheels of the trailer maybe slightly forward and you will be good.

 

take your time pulling. Don't expect to get to speed as easily. A 351 Windsor is a ok motor for pulling. But I agree with everyone else. Hit the o/d button and haul away

 

theres no need to hit the od button unless its tries to hunt.just tow and go.let the auto be auto.

 

Exactly why suggested turn it off, load like that it's gonna hunt especially if gets on the expressway into hilly terrain or both, only question is how much it'll hunt.
Safe bet is to just turn it off avoid the condition for a guy going to haul heavy every once in a blue moon or so.

 

maybe.i haven't towed with the 351.iv tried to purposely simulate gear hunt with the diesel and i can't make it.when she kicks down,she needs 3rd and she wont re-enter od until she's good and ready/load free enough to remain there.
it's pretty obvious if she tried to hunt between 3rd and od anyway though.in which case,simply don't allow that.there's no need to turn off od and waste fuel however just because your towing.especially when going fast out on the hwy where it may very well maintain top gear issue free.

 

I'm with these guys on you should be fine. However, I would turn OD off. Let's face it, your fuel mileage isn't going to be good hauling that much weight anyway, you might as well prevent hunting for gears altogether and play it safe. Just my 2 cents.

 

Your E4OD will be fine. I towed my buddy's broke down Chevy extended cab for about a 15 minute ride home (probably 5k lbs or so) with the truck in my sig. It was during summer in the heat, and my ignition timing was way off which required using way more throttle than it should have to maintain speed (50 MPH), but my trans oil temp didn't ever break 190° F.

Load up and ride.

 

Yea tow heavy with both 351 and 460, get a load like that it'll tend to hunt and if know how much is too much doesn't pose a problem.

Not sure how the diesel handles it the gassers it has a lot to do with engine vacuum, fine line between holding OD and drop out and with heavy enough load can tend to put it right at that line to start with.

Ever so slight throttle adjustments used to hold speed causes trans to drop in and out of OD in reaction to it, TPS too sure but vacuum drop hair below given point get it in a heart beat.

 

I have towed plenty bigger with a 94 150 with 302 and auto 4 wd all was good till after about a year and a half of pulling a 24' gooseneck with round bales.

 

Also keep in mind the 351 will need to rev to make power, so don't be afraid to push the pedal down when going up hills. I've pulled a 30' enclosed (flat front) race hauler with mine before. Kept it out of OD and it did the job, and I have less than ideal gears for pulling.

 

Thank you for your responses! I have mediocre experience pulling a trailer. During the summer I will pull a small landscape trailer at least 4 times a week that has a walk behind Z-turn, push mower, blower and trimmer on it (not that much weight). I sure got good at backing it in haha. The most I have pulled was 2 scoops (around 1 &1/2-2 tons) of gravel so around three or four thousand pounds. My friend says he is going to get the weight information for me. Does anyone know what the smallest size loader you can rent at Home Depot is (cause that is what they are getting) and how much it weighs with the trailer total? But I think the main reason my parents are concerned about me blowing the trans is because if it were to go out (and the consensus seems to say this won't happen) considering I am a 18 year old highschooler I wouldn't have the 3 grand to drop into getting it rebuilt lol. Thank you all for your help!