I am towing a fiberglass boat of approx. #2500 Can I tow in o/d if on flat ground and the transmission is not shifting in and out of gears alot. I also noticed alot of preignition rattle when pulling up a hill. I was using 87 octane on that trip but put 93 in for the next trip and the rattle seems to have went away. I checked the fuel milage when I refueled and got 16 mpg pulling the boat.

I just bought this truck used. It is a 98 F150 with a 4.6 and a 3.55 rear end. It seems to have had a towing package installed from the factory.

I love this message board it is one of the most informative on the web

Thanks in Advance

Bill

 

Sounds like it would be alright as long as like you said the tranny's not shifting alot up and down. But I would double up at least on visually checking the fluid for discoloration or burnt smell. You said you thought it had the factory towing package, does it have a auxillary tranny cooler? If it doesn't and you do a lot of towing or alot of miles while towing it might be a good idea.

 

I have a 97 & 2000 F150, both with 5.4 and 3.55 rears & 17" tires. I had the same question about towing in O/D because a friend with a Dodge found out that Dodge recommends he NOT tow in O/D. My ford book says its OK to tow in OD but if it becomes a nuisance with the transmission shifting back and forth to simply tow in 3rd gear. I sent an email to the Ford Connection web site, they confirmed it is OK to tow in O/D. I tow a 24' camper and with the 5.4 and 3.55 am able to pull most hills in O/D provided I'm at 2000+ RPM (abt 65 MPH).

 

i have a 97 w 4.6 and tow a 34'camper which is 7400 lbs from maine to poconos 3 times a year
first thing i did when i got the truck was bought a transmission temp guage so i would know when towing just how hot the tranny was getting.
they say 210 degrees is not good and dammage could accur
i will mostly tow in od and iff i see the temp get up to around 180 ill turn it off.
the trans usually runs around 165 deg .
i had changed stock gears which were 355 to 456 since i run a 36" superswamper.but when i had stock gears i always towed with od on and the tranny did fine and kept cool
i mounted the guage to a piller post guage pod wich is easy to take a peek at while towing works out good whole setup cost me under $100.00
used auto meeter guage with tranny kit .i think they have a web site
good luck with the truck
cadallackjack