towing question
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Junior User
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towing question
I have a 99 f450 diesel 7.3 auto tranny dump truck and was wondering if it would be ok to tow about 10,000lbs behind it in overdrive on the highway? It seems that if I take it out of overdrive my top speed is about 55 with a rev of almost 3,000rpm. Is that bad for a long haul?? Thx. Andy
Cargo Master
Joined: Jun 2010
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From: Louisiana
10,000 isn't much! You should be fine. Is your truck modded? Performance wise! If it is stock I wouldn't worry a bit. If you get in the hills and it seems to struggle kick out the od. If its flat land, roll on! If nothing else for peace of mind I'd have a tranny gauge put in it. But this is my opinion!
Post Fiend
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 6,096
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From: Mesa AZ
I have a 99 f450 diesel 7.3 auto tranny dump truck and was wondering if it would be ok to tow about 10,000lbs behind it in overdrive on the highway? It seems that if I take it out of overdrive my top speed is about 55 with a rev of almost 3,000rpm. Is that bad for a long haul?? Thx. Andy
Your 1999 model will benefit by adding a good stacked plate trans cooler since your truck may not have the oil to water cooler.
Laughing Gas
Joined: Aug 2003
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I have a e 99 and I tow 12.500 lbs and I know it's back there. My engine is stock. I do have a 6.0 trans cooler. I tow in overdrive on flat ground but If I get into the hills the truck will not hold it and kicks out of overdrive. If that happens I just take it out of overdrive and run at about 2600 rpm. If you have a e 99 it may affect your performance. Smaller Turbo, HPOP, IDM and UP's....
Post Fiend
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 6,096
Likes: 27
From: Mesa AZ
I have a e 99 and I tow 12.500 lbs and I know it's back there. My engine is stock. I do have a 6.0 trans cooler. I tow in overdrive on flat ground but If I get into the hills the truck will not hold it and kicks out of overdrive. If that happens I just take it out of overdrive and run at about 2600 rpm. If you have a e 99 it may affect your performance. Smaller Turbo, HPOP, IDM and UP's....
However, you bring up a good point. If he finds that his TC is unlocking often (while in OD), then it's better to reduce speed a little bit and turn OD off for a little while. The TC will still lock while in 3rd (as long as the engine isn't working too hard) and that ought to do just fine until he can get to more level terrain and reselect OD again. The idea there is to keep the trans fluid from getting too warm. When the TC is unlocked, the fluid heats up quicker (especially on F-450/550 models since they are so heavy).
Even on a stock engine....a trans temp gauge and supplemental trans oil cooler is a good idea when towing on a regular basis.
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Lead Driver
Joined: Sep 2010
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does hiss dump truck have a pto? Is the system electric or off hydraulics, and if hydraulics, then doesnt it run from the pto which the trans drives the system. If thats the case, could his TC be shot from the extended use of the system? Would that constitute the high rpms/low speed, even though having 4.88 gearing?
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Post Fiend
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 6,096
Likes: 27
From: Mesa AZ
does hiss dump truck have a pto? Is the system electric or off hydraulics, and if hydraulics, then doesnt it run from the pto which the trans drives the system. If thats the case, could his TC be shot from the extended use of the system? Would that constitute the high rpms/low speed, even though having 4.88 gearing?
Regarding the PTO drive...most high idle systems will lock the TC when the PTO control is active, either when using the factory blue/yellow wire or the Ford A.I.C. PTO manufacturers such as Muncie will normally provide a transmission temp gauge in the cab along with a temp switch at the trans with the purpose of disabling the PTO drive when the fluid temp gets too high. The Ford AIC has that feature built in since it can interface with the PCM and see the temps that way. From what I've seen, the system is quite robust. Our work trucks use the PTO all day long and we haven't seen any TC problems due to excessive use.
New User
Joined: Nov 2011
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Ive towed 8k through some mild hills with broken trailer brakes with my 450. I found out later the brakes didn't work when a buddy borrowed the trailer and it pushed him all over.
Driving a flatbed (or dump) does make you a target for scales, so beware of your states CDL requirements if your under 26k gvwr with a 10k+ trailer.
Driving a flatbed (or dump) does make you a target for scales, so beware of your states CDL requirements if your under 26k gvwr with a 10k+ trailer.
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