Help - Towing - Overdrive
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Joined: Dec 2010
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Help - Towing - Overdrive
I could use some help. I have a F350, 4X4, 410, DWD, just added a Superchip, gauges ordered, 4" exhust, everything else stock. I tow a 14,ooo lb 36' 5th wheel (new to me) and the truck weighs just over 8,000 lbs.
Unloaded in OD at 2000 rpm it goes about 62 mph. I have always towed in OD, if fact until today never thought I should do anything else. My past trailer was 2000 lbs less at 12000lbs total. I live in Texas and have not ever towed in the mountains. Occasionally with the old trailer it would jump out of OD but for the most part would run just fine.
The first trip with the new trailer is next week and heading to the Ozarks. So I don't really know what to do, drive in OD or not. Out of OD at 3000 rpm is oly about 45 mph. Never really thought of running RPMs above 2000 for a long period. Is 2500rpm OK? what about 3000? Help
Unloaded in OD at 2000 rpm it goes about 62 mph. I have always towed in OD, if fact until today never thought I should do anything else. My past trailer was 2000 lbs less at 12000lbs total. I live in Texas and have not ever towed in the mountains. Occasionally with the old trailer it would jump out of OD but for the most part would run just fine.
The first trip with the new trailer is next week and heading to the Ozarks. So I don't really know what to do, drive in OD or not. Out of OD at 3000 rpm is oly about 45 mph. Never really thought of running RPMs above 2000 for a long period. Is 2500rpm OK? what about 3000? Help
Post Fiend
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 6,096
Likes: 26
From: Mesa AZ
Use O.D. Like normal. Do you have a transmission cooler? I alway recommend a supplemental cooler for towing. IMO, There are only two reasons to turn off overdrive.
Happy towing!
- To keep the transmission from hunting for gears
- Help control speed when driving downhill
Happy towing!
Senior User
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 274
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I have a 36ft 5th wheeler 14,000+ lbs and tow in OD all the time. On hills and mountains I will let it kick down and sometimes turn off my OD untill I am sure I have topped the grade. My trans fluid is still bright red so I have not strained my tranny yet and I am running a stock trans cooler but I would like to up grade it to a 6.0 cooler. As I just put some tunes in my truck I am adding a trrans temp gauge and a pyro gauge.
Lead Driver
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 6,708
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From: Kiowa CO
I tow a little smaller 5'ver (10,000#'s) but over bigger mountains - The Rockies in Colorado - and use OD until the RPM's fall below 1800. I like to stay in the 1800-2300 RPM range to keep my EGT's down and the powerband in good shape.
Elder User
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 568
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From: Irwin,Pa
I have mixed emotions about this. I bought my truck used at 88,000 miles so i'm not real familiar with the past life of my truck.. but I've been told it occasionally towed a race car & also a few ambulance's for delivery. I would guess I've towed our 5th wheel (8000) lbs maybe 4-5k miles since I've owned the truck. My stock tranny went at 120,000 miles.. The TC was pretty much shot & my coast & OD clutches were worn paper thin. I did all my towing in OD & used my DP Tuner decel tune all the time. I didn't think to ask Brian at BTS what would most likely be the cause for the wear pattern my tranny showed.. but it does make you wonder.
Molon Labe
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 5,272
Likes: 1
From: Alaska
I hear ya Gregg, My F250 used to pull a 40' three axle race car trailer all over the US, when the trans finally went, OD was smoked....everything else looked good.
Makes me wonder...
Although its not pratical to take a long trip at 45mph....When I towed my TT to Texas I was in OD the whole way, but I kept the rpm's in the powerband Like Chris said (1800-2300 rpm)
Makes me wonder...
Although its not pratical to take a long trip at 45mph....When I towed my TT to Texas I was in OD the whole way, but I kept the rpm's in the powerband Like Chris said (1800-2300 rpm)
Duct Tape Tech.
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 2,381
Likes: 1
From: San Antonio Tx.
I tow a 12,500 lb 5th wheel trailer, I just put it in OD and let it go. I went from San Antonio TX. to RRE in east Tenn. and back. A mix of traffic, city, open hiways, mountains. I pull in 40 tow tune, only a couple of times it made a down shift. I use cruise control most all the time also. I just keep it between 60 and 65 mph. I have not had a problem so far.
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Molon Labe
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 5,272
Likes: 1
From: Alaska
I tow a 12,500 lb 5th wheel trailer, I just put it in OD and let it go. I went from San Antonio TX. to RRE in east Tenn. and back. A mix of traffic, city, open hiways, mountains. I pull in 40 tow tune, only a couple of times it made a down shift. I use cruise control most all the time also. I just keep it between 60 and 65 mph. I have not had a problem so far.
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Lead Driver
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 7,760
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From: Hampton, Maryland.
What you need to do is watch your tranny temps and your EGT's. The tranny needs to definitely stay below 220, I like to keep mine below 200 and the EGT's below 1250. If you are doing those 2 things you will be fine.
Duct Tape Tech.
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 2,381
Likes: 1
From: San Antonio Tx.
Its just a super duty. Besides I don't have any. I had to get a new computer and all the pics were on the old one that died. I will go take some soon. I want to take some with the 5th hooked up.
Senior User
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 197
Likes: 0
From: Steedman, MO
2002 F350
Good question from the OP. I am new to Diesels, and towing in general. This August I pulled a 30 foot gooseneck trailer with a '66 Ford Ranch Wagon Ambulance on it to a car show in Albany, NY with my 2002 F350. We pulled it in OD the whole time, and didn't have any problems. I'm not sure how heavy the load was, but it had to be under 10k. I was wondering if that was the way to go.
Elder User
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 568
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From: Irwin,Pa
I hear ya Gregg, My F250 used to pull a 40' three axle race car trailer all over the US, when the trans finally went, OD was smoked....everything else looked good.
Makes me wonder...
Although its not pratical to take a long trip at 45mph....When I towed my TT to Texas I was in OD the whole way, but I kept the rpm's in the powerband Like Chris said (1800-2300 rpm)
Makes me wonder...
Although its not pratical to take a long trip at 45mph....When I towed my TT to Texas I was in OD the whole way, but I kept the rpm's in the powerband Like Chris said (1800-2300 rpm)
Duct Tape Tech.
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 2,381
Likes: 1
From: San Antonio Tx.
I hear ya Frank. I, like others in this thread did all my towing in OD. I also used my decel tune a lot while towing. And when my tranny died, my OD & coast clutches were gone. The big question is.. Did both/either of these actions escalate the wear on these parts? I know now that I have a BTS, that if any problems arise again..they will be fixed .. But in all honesty.. I'd have rather had my tranny last another 100,000 miles & kept the $5200 plus travel expenses in my bank account..lol But to look back & see that the OD is the part that had the most wear.. it really makes you wonder if it was the towing that caused it. I know that when I was towing my 5th wheel on Skyline Drive, I used my decel a lot to try & keep my brakes from heating up.. but in turn, my tranny temps really spiked up quick. So, ultimately.. there's no doubt that you can tow in OD and that the decel tune has great holdback.. but the real question is.. what is it doing to the life expectancy of your transmission???
I hear you gregg, I feel it is a catch22 if you have 4:10 gears. You can tow in OD or you can go 40-45 MPH pulling 12,500 lbs and listen to everything in your truck wear out.
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