Locking out gears while towing?
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Jul 2018
Posts: 1,617
Likes: 568
From: Black Hills of SD
Yeah I agree. The first time I pulled my 5er and I started going down a hill with the cruise set, the truck started to scream. I think I seen 5000 RPM's!! I almost puked! Then figured out that using manual mode, I could pick the best shift points. for my setup, I shift up at 3900 RPM's. That's right at the end of my maximum power band and seems to work way better than letting the truck shift on it's own. When slowing down, I mostly use trailer breaking.....
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Dec 2021
Posts: 1,735
Likes: 1,116
Its a shot at engine braking for the Gas guys but ive found its not all that effective unless you have the 4.30 gearing. It just helps to shift yourself in the gas trucks when towing. Tow/Haul mode just holds gears too long and downshifts too aggressively. Best practice is to operate it like a manual transmission and plan your shifts accordingly.
Trailering
Joined: Feb 2021
Posts: 19
Likes: 6
Hello,
This is my first post here on the forum. I have owned 3 trucks in my lifetime ('78 Ford 150, 2000 F250 7.3L diesel, and my current 2014 F150 5.0L). I just ordered a new 2022 F250 with the 6.7 diesel. I have always locked out 6th gear when towing my boat with the F150 and it makes a big difference. My 2000 diesel had an "overdrive" button on the shifter that I would push when towing. My question is, with this new 10 speed transmission, do any of you lock out the gears while towing? I read other posts that some people lock out 8, 9, and 10 while towing. I am not familiar with the new 10 speed transmission, so I don't know if it is necessary with the power of the diesel. I tow a boat that is usually less than 3,500 pounds total weight. I know the truck might be overkill for what I do, but I do travel long distances with it. Thanks for any and all responses.
This is my first post here on the forum. I have owned 3 trucks in my lifetime ('78 Ford 150, 2000 F250 7.3L diesel, and my current 2014 F150 5.0L). I just ordered a new 2022 F250 with the 6.7 diesel. I have always locked out 6th gear when towing my boat with the F150 and it makes a big difference. My 2000 diesel had an "overdrive" button on the shifter that I would push when towing. My question is, with this new 10 speed transmission, do any of you lock out the gears while towing? I read other posts that some people lock out 8, 9, and 10 while towing. I am not familiar with the new 10 speed transmission, so I don't know if it is necessary with the power of the diesel. I tow a boat that is usually less than 3,500 pounds total weight. I know the truck might be overkill for what I do, but I do travel long distances with it. Thanks for any and all responses.
Laughing Gas
Joined: Mar 2018
Posts: 1,242
Likes: 273
From: South Central Indiana
Lol my 6.2 does this in T/H going down hill towing my 9K camper. Engine/transmission braking with the 6.2 is pretty much non existent, especially with the 3.73 rear end. Depending on the % of descent, sometimes I'll manually put it in 3rd at the top and feather the truck/trailer brakes. OP, you'll have no issues with your setup unless you're doing something wrong, lol
Laughing Gas
Joined: May 2016
Posts: 997
Likes: 262
From: Central New York
The diesel in tow haul is all you need to do. All the locking out comments are regarding the gas engines which appear to need lock out of gears. Passed a farm tractor today on a two lane road and stepped on it to get by fast. Truck almost broke the tires loose at 40 mph. Crazy fast acceleration.
Mountain Pass
Joined: Aug 2021
Posts: 111
Likes: 51
Its a shot at engine braking for the Gas guys but ive found its not all that effective unless you have the 4.30 gearing. It just helps to shift yourself in the gas trucks when towing. Tow/Haul mode just holds gears too long and downshifts too aggressively. Best practice is to operate it like a manual transmission and plan your shifts accordingly.
FTE Stories
Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts
10 Things Every Truck Owner NEEDS (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalyptic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer
Joe Kucinski
2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)
Brett Foote
Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies
Joe Kucinski
AEV FXL Super Duty - the Super Duty Raptor Ford Doesn't Make
Brett Foote
Lobo Vs Lobo: Proof the F-150 Lobo Should Be Even Lower!
Michael S. Palmer
Ford's 2001 Explorer Sportsman Concept Looks For a New Home
Verdad Gallardo
10 Best Ford Truck Engines We Miss the Most!
Joe Kucinski
Thread Starter
|
New User
Joined: Jan 2022
Posts: 7
Likes: 1
From: Boulder City, Nv
It will come with the 3.55 rear end. Thank you for your input.
More Turbo
Joined: Dec 2018
Posts: 669
Likes: 179
3.55 gears is very similar to driving with 3.31 gears and locking out 10th gear. I have 34" tires 3.31 gears and usually don't start locking out gears until I'm towing over 20,000 lbs. Occasionally I lock out 10th with my 16k 5ver.
Tuned
Joined: Apr 2017
Posts: 416
Likes: 76
From: Georgia
I'm convinced those of you manually locking out gears are the same ones who don't rely on the "auto" climate control. I bet you have it set to "LO" and adjust the fan speed manually don't you? I don't get the point, for either example.
Hotshot
Joined: Oct 2015
Posts: 19,698
Likes: 12,825
From: Wyoming
I have the 6.7L with 3.55 rear end and tow an 11k GVWR bumper pull trailer. I use tow/haul and don't lock out gears on the flats. I do actively manage the gears going downhill with the engine brake engaged in the first setting (manual). This is an HD truck with an HD transmission.
In my prior half ton truck I did have to actively manage the gears when towing, locking out gears to prevent the transmission from overheating. That's why I bought a Super Duty, so I don't have to fiddle with the transmission as much.
In my prior half ton truck I did have to actively manage the gears when towing, locking out gears to prevent the transmission from overheating. That's why I bought a Super Duty, so I don't have to fiddle with the transmission as much.
FTE Leadership Emeritus
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 23,174
Likes: 1,678
From: Stephensville WI
I have the 6.7L with 3.55 rear end and tow an 11k GVWR bumper pull trailer. I use tow/haul and don't lock out gears on the flats. I do actively manage the gears going downhill with the engine brake engaged in the first setting (manual). This is an HD truck with an HD transmission.
In my prior half ton truck I did have to actively manage the gears when towing, locking out gears to prevent the transmission from overheating. That's why I bought a Super Duty, so I don't have to fiddle with the transmission as much.
In my prior half ton truck I did have to actively manage the gears when towing, locking out gears to prevent the transmission from overheating. That's why I bought a Super Duty, so I don't have to fiddle with the transmission as much.
Hotshot
Joined: Oct 2015
Posts: 19,698
Likes: 12,825
From: Wyoming
Granted, I haven't gone down any epic grades with this truck yet , but my preference is to put the transmission in T/H mode, set the engine brake to Automatic, apply brakes until my descent speed is achieved then just let the truck downshift as it needs to control the speed.
How you use the truck depends on where you're driving, how much you're towing and what you're comfortable with. YMMV.
