towing in overdrive
Thread Starter
|
Freshman User
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 38
Likes: 0
towing in overdrive
I'm getting ready to tow my 5500 pound boat (along with 6 people and luggage) about 1000 miles and back. Normally, when I tow, it's less than an hour, and I don't use overdrive, but since I'm going to be towing for a long distance, is it ok to use overdrive?
I'll turn the overdrive off if the tranny starts shifting in and out of overdrive a lot or if I'm in a city.
The manual says not to use overdrive if you're towing a "heavy load" or something vague like that.
Any hints?
I'll turn the overdrive off if the tranny starts shifting in and out of overdrive a lot or if I'm in a city.
The manual says not to use overdrive if you're towing a "heavy load" or something vague like that.
Any hints?
Senior User
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 180
Likes: 0
From: High Bridge USA
towing in overdrive
I tow an 8,000 lb trailer, 3-4 kids, two dogs and wife. The only time I take the X out of OD is going up a long steep incline when the exhaust temp is climbing over 1300 degrees.
Senior User
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 230
Likes: 1
From: North of Boston US of A!!
towing in overdrive
Ditto what F_pumillo said. I just got back from a trip. Went from Boston to Harrisburg to DC to Lake Placid NY. Only took it out of OD when on a long hill. Although if the truck down shifts on its own you will need to manually lock out OD so that the torque converter is locked up. My understanding is that if you do that it will be less wear and tear on the trans.
New User
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
towing in overdrive
I own an Excursion and an F-350, I talked to Ford Engineers direct, pulled a 12,300 lbs. trailer from Indiana to Texas, overdrive the entire trip, due to the engineers said that if it isn't searching for a lower gear, leave it in overdrive. My diesels, 7.3 Turbo Diesels, cannot be out pulled by the so called competitions. Pull with confidence.
Senior User
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 180
Likes: 0
From: High Bridge USA
towing in overdrive
Amen to that brother, if you are concerned, put guages on and watch the exhaust temp and trans temp. If you put an exhaust gas temp guage on, do install pre turbo to get the temp of the exhaust entering the turbo.
Trending Topics
Thread Starter
|
Freshman User
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 38
Likes: 0
towing in overdrive
Well, I just got back, I left it in OD most of the way, what I did find was that with the cruise control on, it would shift out of OD sooner in an attempt to maintain the set speed, driving without cruise, I could keep it in OD most of the time. I did notice that I would sometimes get in a mode where it would not shift back into OD, I assumed that was either the tranny realizing I was going downhill with my foot off the gas and basically not shifting for engine braking or it was a protection mode for the transmission and my temps may have been getting high... I never got any sort of indicator light. Probably wouldn't hurt to get a tranny temp gauge.
FTE Stories
Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts
10 Fords to Drive Before You Die
Joe Kucinski
3 Best / Worst Features Of The 2025+ Ford Expedition
Brett Foote
10 Ways Ford is LOSING to the Competition
Joe Kucinski
Top 6 Best Deals Available on New Fords & Lincolns Right Now
Brett Foote
This Hennessey Takes the Expedition Tremor's Off-Roading Capability to the Next Level
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Fords at 2026 Carlisle Ford Nationals
Joe Kucinski
3 Best / 3 Worst Parts of Modern Ford Ownership
Brett Foote
10 Amazing Upgrades That Solve Common Ford Truck Owner Headaches
Pouria Savadkouei
Every 2026 Ford Engine Explained
Brett Foote
Senior User
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 180
Likes: 0
From: High Bridge USA
towing in overdrive
LAst trip was from NJ to Watkins Glen, lots of up hill driving. Trans temp hit 185 at most , I kept my speed between 65 and 68 the entire trip (about 230 miles). Still managed 11.5 MPG. I also de-tuned the program with the SCMT. Normaly its in the non-tow +80 mode. For towing I drop it to the safe tow mode. Works great.
Senior User
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 180
Likes: 0
From: High Bridge USA
towing in overdrive
I would be in that 70-75 range, but wanted to see what the SCMT would add to the mileage. I averaged 11.5 goig and 12.5 on the return, again left the cruise at 68 and stayed with traffic. It is nice to know that the 7.3 will get me the trailer and 4 people up to 75 and stay there. This was the first trip with the guages, so I wanted to get a n idea as to where the trans temp and egt's would be in those longer climbs through pennsylvania.
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post