Towing an automatic
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Laughing Gas
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 1,242
Likes: 2
From: Bartlett, TN
Towing an automatic
I have an RV. I've towed my old PT Cruiser (manual) and now my wife's Smart (automated manual). While some automatics can be towed as is from the factory, but most have to have either a pump installed ($1500+) or a driveshaft disconnect (over $2000).
I've followed a thread on another RV forum where a guy said he hooked up his early 2000 something Taurus up, cranked the engine, and left it running while towing to let the engine idle keep the transmission circulated and cooled. Are there any inherent problems with this? I would love to tow an automatic Mustang convertible if this type of towing would work.
I've followed a thread on another RV forum where a guy said he hooked up his early 2000 something Taurus up, cranked the engine, and left it running while towing to let the engine idle keep the transmission circulated and cooled. Are there any inherent problems with this? I would love to tow an automatic Mustang convertible if this type of towing would work.
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Laughing Gas
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 1,242
Likes: 2
From: Bartlett, TN
2) I really don't want to find a place to park a trailer in my campsite.
Moderator
Joined: Jul 2011
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From: Sioux Falls Area
I've read several threads in the past where people have opted to do this rather than modify them.
I think the only real risks are related to cooling. If the cooling system isn't getting enough airflow being tucked up behind the TV there is no way to know that it is getting hot.
The other risk , and the real unknown for me, is whether the transmission is properly lubricated and cooled under this condition. Again, if you are creating a problem, there is no way of knowing about it. Do all of the moving parts get enough lubrication at 65mph with the engine at idle? Is there enough flow through the cooler to cool the transmission at idle and everything spinning at speed? These are the things that would keep me from doing it until I had some definitive answers.
I think the only real risks are related to cooling. If the cooling system isn't getting enough airflow being tucked up behind the TV there is no way to know that it is getting hot.
The other risk , and the real unknown for me, is whether the transmission is properly lubricated and cooled under this condition. Again, if you are creating a problem, there is no way of knowing about it. Do all of the moving parts get enough lubrication at 65mph with the engine at idle? Is there enough flow through the cooler to cool the transmission at idle and everything spinning at speed? These are the things that would keep me from doing it until I had some definitive answers.
Frmr Ford Trans Engr
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 24,731
Likes: 2,658
From: SE Florida
The other risk , and the real unknown for me, is whether the transmission is properly lubricated and cooled under this condition. Again, if you are creating a problem, there is no way of knowing about it. Do all of the moving parts get enough lubrication at 65mph with the engine at idle? Is there enough flow through the cooler to cool the transmission at idle and everything spinning at speed? These are the things that would keep me from doing it until I had some definitive answers.
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Laughing Gas
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 1,242
Likes: 2
From: Bartlett, TN
I understand these worries as I have them too. But many automatics that can be towed with a pump system to keep the fluid cool enough keep from damaging the transmission do this while behind a motorhome. So there is enough air flow back there. I'm sure the aftermarket pump add ons do circulate more fluid that what the built in pump at idle. But remember the transmission is in neutral so everything's not turning. And I'm sure Ford (or any others) haven't tested for this as motorhome towing is not a big market. New Fiesta's and Focus' are towable so I probably need to settle with that. Live with perhaps with a sunroof and forgo a convertible Mustang.
Just hoped a Ford transmission engineer would be lurking in here and give it his/her blessing.
Just hoped a Ford transmission engineer would be lurking in here and give it his/her blessing.
Frmr Ford Trans Engr
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 24,731
Likes: 2,658
From: SE Florida
If I knew this worked, I would give it my blessing, but I don't know that. There is quite a bit of the transmission turning when the wheels are turning.
No current Ford transmission engineer will risk his/her job by even acknowledging that they've read this thread.
No current Ford transmission engineer will risk his/her job by even acknowledging that they've read this thread.
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Laughing Gas
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 1,242
Likes: 2
From: Bartlett, TN
If I knew this worked, I would give it my blessing, but I don't know that. There is quite a bit of the transmission turning when the wheels are turning.
No current Ford transmission engineer will risk his/her job by even acknowledging that they've read this thread.
No current Ford transmission engineer will risk his/her job by even acknowledging that they've read this thread.
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Frmr Ford Trans Engr
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 24,731
Likes: 2,658
From: SE Florida
About half of the trans is turning anytime the wheels are turning regardless of what gear the trans is in.
Exactly.
When I was still employed there I was called into my mangler's office and told one more post and I was out the door for good. That's why I disappeared from here and some other forums for several years until I left on my own.
Exactly.
When I was still employed there I was called into my mangler's office and told one more post and I was out the door for good. That's why I disappeared from here and some other forums for several years until I left on my own.
Moderator
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 6,513
Likes: 669
From: Sioux Falls Area
Are you listening ford?
Answers like "the transmissions are properly designed for vehicle" is worse than useless. Particularly when there is a known weakness or specific issue and someone is asking what was changed to address the issue.
You've done more for the ford motor company since you left than they can possibly imagine...
Frmr Ford Trans Engr
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 24,731
Likes: 2,658
From: SE Florida
There was a very real reason for their attitude.
When the Explorer tire fiasco was going on Congress passed a law called the TREAD act. Part of that said that if ANY company employee was told about ANY safety issue the company was required to open an investigation.
So if you knew I was a Ford employee on this board you could post something like, "The paint on the hood of my new Ford has a 1/8" bubble in it. I can see it from the driver's seat and it's a distraction. That's a safety issue!" Since a Ford employee was known to be here that REQUIRES Ford to open an investigation. This could quickly eat up all of a company's resources chasing red herrings. Since I'm no longer an employee I can just ignore stupid posts like what I just said.
When the Explorer tire fiasco was going on Congress passed a law called the TREAD act. Part of that said that if ANY company employee was told about ANY safety issue the company was required to open an investigation.
So if you knew I was a Ford employee on this board you could post something like, "The paint on the hood of my new Ford has a 1/8" bubble in it. I can see it from the driver's seat and it's a distraction. That's a safety issue!" Since a Ford employee was known to be here that REQUIRES Ford to open an investigation. This could quickly eat up all of a company's resources chasing red herrings. Since I'm no longer an employee I can just ignore stupid posts like what I just said.
Thread Starter
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Laughing Gas
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 1,242
Likes: 2
From: Bartlett, TN
There was a very real reason for their attitude.
When the Explorer tire fiasco was going on Congress passed a law called the TREAD act. Part of that said that if ANY company employee was told about ANY safety issue the company was required to open an investigation.
So if you knew I was a Ford employee on this board you could post something like, "The paint on the hood of my new Ford has a 1/8" bubble in it. I can see it from the driver's seat and it's a distraction. That's a safety issue!" Since a Ford employee was known to be here that REQUIRES Ford to open an investigation. This could quickly eat up all of a company's resources chasing red herrings. Since I'm no longer an employee I can just ignore stupid posts like what I just said.
When the Explorer tire fiasco was going on Congress passed a law called the TREAD act. Part of that said that if ANY company employee was told about ANY safety issue the company was required to open an investigation.
So if you knew I was a Ford employee on this board you could post something like, "The paint on the hood of my new Ford has a 1/8" bubble in it. I can see it from the driver's seat and it's a distraction. That's a safety issue!" Since a Ford employee was known to be here that REQUIRES Ford to open an investigation. This could quickly eat up all of a company's resources chasing red herrings. Since I'm no longer an employee I can just ignore stupid posts like what I just said.
Cargo Master
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 2,790
Likes: 24
From: Mount Royal, NJ
There was a very real reason for their attitude.
When the Explorer tire fiasco was going on Congress passed a law called the TREAD act. Part of that said that if ANY company employee was told about ANY safety issue the company was required to open an investigation.
So if you knew I was a Ford employee on this board you could post something like, "The paint on the hood of my new Ford has a 1/8" bubble in it. I can see it from the driver's seat and it's a distraction. That's a safety issue!" Since a Ford employee was known to be here that REQUIRES Ford to open an investigation. This could quickly eat up all of a company's resources chasing red herrings. Since I'm no longer an employee I can just ignore stupid posts like what I just said.
When the Explorer tire fiasco was going on Congress passed a law called the TREAD act. Part of that said that if ANY company employee was told about ANY safety issue the company was required to open an investigation.
So if you knew I was a Ford employee on this board you could post something like, "The paint on the hood of my new Ford has a 1/8" bubble in it. I can see it from the driver's seat and it's a distraction. That's a safety issue!" Since a Ford employee was known to be here that REQUIRES Ford to open an investigation. This could quickly eat up all of a company's resources chasing red herrings. Since I'm no longer an employee I can just ignore stupid posts like what I just said.
I'll be danged. I truly never understood until now why the engineering departments are like clamshells nowadays. Long time ago, (decades) I could write the appropriate factory department about a really tough question and get a decent answer in the mail from someone that knew what they were doing. Not anymore.
What a mess things have become.
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