I recently bought a used 2003, passenger van, with the 5.4 engine to tow my boat with. It has 52,000 on it. The boat and trailer weighs about 6500, which is at or within the towing capacity, according to the owners manual. I also removed the two bench seats, since I am single, and don't need them. That removed a couple hundred pounds. I read the chapter on towing carefully, but I can't see anywhere, if I should tow in or out of overdrive. My common sense tells me to tow out of overdrive. Any suggestions. The van has a heavy duty hitch, and the tow package, and electric brakes, and was used for towing something. I bought it from a dealer.

 

Your insincts are correct.

For that much weight you should tow out of overdrive.

 

I would think it depends on the gear ratio. If your high geared like 3.73 or 4.10, I wouldn't expect it do well in OD. If you low geared, you might try it.

If you have a trans temp guage, just keep your eye on the temp. As long as it stays in a normal range, it shouldn't hurt anything.

 

On flat ground, OD is ok, but I usually leak OD iff when towing that much weight.

 

Just turn the OD off. Even on flat ground you're putting a pretty good strain on the transmission when towing your boat. The transmission will last longer if you lock out the OD while towing.