I purchased a 2004 F-150 with the 5.4 liter engine. I use it for casual driving as well as towing a 4,000 lb. Travel Trailer. My question is this: Does anyone know if it is acceptable to tow using the overdrive? I can maintain speeds of 65-70 mph easily when highway driving and it would make sense to use the overdrive for fuel mileage as well as reducing engine rpm. I have not been able to find out anything from my owner's manual and my dealer doesn't seem willing to commit one way or the other.

 

its always been my experience that towing in overdrive is a no no. have seen many people smoke their trans by doing this. it lowers the trans pressures and does damage to the clutches inside of the trans, not to mention the torque converter. i'm a service manager in a diesel repair shop, so most of my experience has been with diesels.

 

Thanks for the information!

 

It's fine. My familys trannys are in the best of shape. Just follow these steps...

Off the line start in 3rd.
When up to highway speed 50+ put it in 4th.
When slowing down and below 50- put it in 3rd.
To really save your brakes around 35+/- put it in second.

Our familys vehicles are proof of this, especially my dads truck.

 

I tow a 6000 lb boat and I never tow in overdrive. You will not get that much better gas mileage and you will save your tranny in the long run.

 

I tow a 6000lb trailer and never in over drive. It says in the book that you should not do this in the transmission section I believe. Towing in overdrive heats the transmission and will do damage.

 

Guys,

Go to the Ford website, look at the interactive towing guide under tips.

In a nutshell it says towing in OD is alright, but if the transmission starts to search for a gear, like in a hilly area shift out of OD. Problably good advice even without a trailer.

If a transmission is not shifting it is not generating heat and wear, so if it will stay OD leave it there.

 

Bottom line is you are much better off to NEVER tow in OV.

 

It the tranny downshifts to 3rd then goes back in 4th and back in 3rd... take the OD off. On the highway, at 65mph... there is no need to be in 3rd unless you hit some hills or high wind and the tranny starts shifting back and forth. That's my trigger... and don't wait until it does it 10 times... first sign, you react.

That's my unsolicited tip of the day.