Hi i have a 2006 Fx4 stepside F-150 automatic transmission and have a question on towing, i have read and been told many conflicting stories about whether or not to turn over drive off while towing, i was under the impression that as long as the truck wasn't constantly shifting gears when towing that towing with overdrive on was fine, but i have been told i could damage my transmission, and that whenever towing anything i should turn over drive off? i generally tow a ski boat and a 16' flatbed trailer, nothing really substantial though, and not very often. so who is right? i thought i would ask my ever knowledgeable friends on FTE!
Any help greatly appreciated!
Rik

 

I would advise posting this in the towing forum for a more definitive answer, but I think OD is OK for towing on flat land, and best off for hill country. Much depends upon the weight of your trailers, if you have the towing package, et cetera.

Good luck,

 

No, No, No,NoNoNO. I has NOTHING to do with weight and stuff. It has EVERYTHING to do with the constant hunting between gears.

Tow in OD UNLESS:

1. You get multiple shifting between 3rd, 3rd locked and/or OD within (say) a 1/2 mile to full mile distance.

2. You want additional engine braking.

Your first impressions were correct.

 

x2 with what Monsta said

 

ok thats what i thought, thank you for the clarification, it seems to make sense that the tranny is going to hunt for lower gears before damaging itself right? anyhow aren't these trucks built to tow and haul as part of ordinary use and function, if that is the case there would be no point in putting O/D on the thing if you had to turn it off everytime you added a little weight to the thing!
thank you for your help!
Rik