You are currently viewing our forum as a guest, which gives you limited access to view most discussions and access our other features. By joining our community, at no cost, you will have access to post topics, communicate privately with other members (PM), respond to polls, upload content and access many other special features. Registration is free, fast and simple, so please join our community today!
I was wondering what everyone thought about towing a travel trailer, 8k lbs, in overdrive while traveling on flat hiways? Is it not a good idea? Or if I watch my trans temp am I ok?
__________________
Terry
PAA #22 RHN Supporter
2001 F250 PSD, 4x4, auto, xcab, Power Slot rotors, Hawk pads, 6637 KWIK, Petes cover, 9007 Ultra Whites, , Bilsteins, 4in. MKO turbo back, DP TUNER, Isspro gauges, John Woods Trans, 168,000 miles
I was wondering what everyone thought about towing a travel trailer, 8k lbs, in overdrive while traveling on flat hiways? Is it not a good idea? Or if I watch my trans temp am I ok?
As long as the TC is locked up and the tranny is not hunting, I say go for it. Keep an eye on EGTs too.
__________________
Mike
2001 Auto Crew Cab 4X4. 38R and Swamps Hybrids. Transgo and diode Tranny. 400HP but not really. 05 front end and stickers makes it faster.
You can tow in overdrive all day long every day, and it won't hurt a thing.
If it's gear hunting, then lock it out of overdrive. The gear hunting under load is what hurts the trans.
__________________
Curtis
2002 F-250 PSD
Gambling with 250/200's on PMR's
478hp/851tq on Haller's dyno - 7/28/12
Your connection to the Colorado diesel community.
Then your more than covered with that trans Terry but I tow my TT in OD(stock) and watch with the gear searching. Like Curtis said, all day long..
__________________ Mike's 03 F-250 7.3 CC SB XLT 4x4 Auto and just joined the 200,000 mile club and counting. PAA#26 Wife's: Whoops, I mean an 08 (Explorer) Eddie B. 4.0 v6 4x4 91,000 http://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/si...ic511779_3.gif
I usually hold it out of od till i know that I'll be above 50 mph for more than a mile then I'll let it shift it into od. I will hold it out if it hunting Also like others said. My stock trans lasted 290k of heavy towing and snowplowing.
__________________
Dale PAA #47
03 F-350 XLT cc LB 4x4 7.3 psd 369,000 MI 9' 2" BOSS Ploy Vee
I did try it today for awhile on my way home from camping once I was out of the hills on straight flat roads. I did notice a drop of about 5 degrees on the trans. I didn't look at the egt's since the engine was only at 1900 instead of 2500 now.
__________________
Terry
PAA #22 RHN Supporter
2001 F250 PSD, 4x4, auto, xcab, Power Slot rotors, Hawk pads, 6637 KWIK, Petes cover, 9007 Ultra Whites, , Bilsteins, 4in. MKO turbo back, DP TUNER, Isspro gauges, John Woods Trans, 168,000 miles
I tow with with OD and cruise control on.
I made an 80 mile round trip doing it again today.
__________________
David Norwood. 2001 F350 7.3 DI CC dually purchased new.
Alternative Fuel User Since 2003-vo is always in my fuel. Only one fuel tank. GPI/CIM-TEK spin on filterhead and 10 micron filter.Superchip. Hutch and Harpoon mods 2010. Diesel inline wix (33007 or 33972) filter between tank and Airtex E2236 fuel pump (rated to 110 psi).Fuel pressure gauge. HOH for fuel line heat from tank to 12v lift pump. Two 12v 36" heaters, one before add on filter and one before OEM filter.
I very rarely two in D. Like they said, as long as it is not hunting for gears I let it be. If it is hunting gears I try and control it with that skinny pedal on the right before I take it out of OD.
I think you got your answer but another yes vote for towing in OD as long as you keep the RPM's around 1800-2000. That's my truck's sweet spot for power/low EGT's.
__________________ Chris
2002 F350 XLT, 7.3L CC 4x4, SRW, Autometer Ultralites, DP TUNER, BTS Trans, 6.0 tranny cooler, F650 dash, AIS w/zoodad, Warn Hubs, 4" MBRP exhaust, '08 rear end cover, Foil Delete, Heated Tow Mirrors, AIH Delete, Homemade CCV mod., Bilsteins. The Silver Bullitt PAA# 24
I think you got your answer but another yes vote for towing in OD as long as you keep the RPM's around 1800-2000. That's my truck's sweet spot for power/low EGT's.
That was the rpm range I found to seem like a sweet spot also. Cruising at about 63 to 65 mph. It also seemed to almost be running easier than normal driving without a trailer.
__________________
Terry
PAA #22 RHN Supporter
2001 F250 PSD, 4x4, auto, xcab, Power Slot rotors, Hawk pads, 6637 KWIK, Petes cover, 9007 Ultra Whites, , Bilsteins, 4in. MKO turbo back, DP TUNER, Isspro gauges, John Woods Trans, 168,000 miles
My RPM sweet spot. 2k about 67 MPH. Pulling 10k 5th wheel. In OD. On Cruise.
I will bump off cruise when i see boost gauge rising.. About 10-12psi it likes to kick out of OD and scare the crap out of us.. Want to make a mode up for that some day. Seems that 10-12psi is consistent to cause the trans to kick out of OD. My EGT will never go above 1200.
As said, there is nothing wrong with towing on OD, but it doesn't mean it has to be the best way.
I did tow a trailer with a vehicle that had trip computer showing instant mpg.
Having 5 speed auto -I was playing with it being bored driving with low speed limit in CA.
On some occasions dropping a gear was bringing increase in mpg -also giving much better response when I needed it. Following tall semi could give me 15% increase, but that is tiring.
I did tow a trailer with a vehicle that had trip computer showing instant mpg.
The trip computer isn't considered really accurate at all. Hence it is referred to as the "lie-o-meter"
__________________
01 Excursion. Gauges with AIH Delete, AIS, CCV Mod, 4' MBRP, BTS Trans, 6.0L Trans Cooler and Intercooler, DP-Tuner F5 chip, ITP In Tank Mod and Boost Annihilator, Diesel Innovation's Regulated Fuel kit, BTS Big Oil system, GTP38R Turbo with 1.15 A/R housing and BDP Stage II AC injectors. Bilstein Shocks with U code front and A code Rear. 203* thermostat and billet housing
I usually hold it out of od till i know that I'll be above 50 mph for more than a mile then I'll let it shift it into od. I will hold it out if it hunting Also like others said. My stock trans lasted 290k of heavy towing and snowplowing.
That's one of the great benefits of having a custom tuner with tow tunes. It won't shift into OD until there's a certain mph that's met. I know mine won't shift to OD in my tow tunes until I get to over 55mph, and then it still won't shift into OD if I'm still accelerating or have a significant load on the TPS, such as pulling a small grade. Very nice.
__________________
Keith
"The Wicked Flee When No Man Pursueth, But The Righteous Are Bold As A Lion."
2006 F250 Lariat 6.0 CC 4x4, SCT canned tunes, 4" exhaust, Atlas 40, EGR delete, updated Ford oil cooler
This forum is owned and operated by Internet Brands, Inc., a Delaware corporation. It is not authorized or endorsed by the Ford Motor Company and is not affiliated with the Ford Motor Company or its related companies in any way. FordŽ is a registered trademark of the Ford Motor Company.
Mike's 03 F-250 7.3 CC SB XLT 4x4 Auto and just joined the 200,000 mile club and counting. PAA#26 Wife's: Whoops, I mean an 08 (Explorer) Eddie B. 4.0 v6 4x4 91,000 
Only one fuel tank. GPI/CIM-TEK spin on filterhead and 10 micron filter.Superchip. Hutch and Harpoon mods 2010. Diesel inline wix (33007 or 33972) filter between tank and Airtex E2236 fuel pump (rated to 110 psi).Fuel pressure gauge. HOH for fuel line heat from tank to 12v lift pump. Two 12v 36" heaters, one before add on filter and one before OEM filter.
