Locking out gears while towing?
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New User
Joined: Jan 2022
Posts: 7
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From: Boulder City, Nv
Locking out gears while towing?
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.
More Turbo
Joined: Jun 2021
Posts: 710
Likes: 356
From: Beautiful South
My 350 doesn't recognize the weight of my bass boat in terms of fuel mileage, that I can tell anyway. I don't lock out any gears unless I'm going uphill, I won't allow overdrive to tow weight uphill.
More Turbo
Joined: Aug 2018
Posts: 509
Likes: 97
From: Huttonsville, WV
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.
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Lead Driver
Joined: Nov 2005
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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.
When I tow heavy in rolling hills, or some situation where I want more instantaneous pulling power when off of cruise, I may limit the trans to 9th or even 8th, to keep the response to throttle inputs quicker, without having to wait for the trans to downshift itself. This is also only when travelling at less than 70 mph.
But, as I stated, with only towing 3500 pound boat/trailer, you will never need to worry about it.
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Thread Starter
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New User
Joined: Jan 2022
Posts: 7
Likes: 1
From: Boulder City, Nv
Yes, sir, I know about the plus and minus button. I appreciate the heads up though. Someone told me about it when towing with the 2014 F150, and it made all the difference. It's been 8 years since I've owned a diesel, and miss my 7.3L dearly!! Can't wait for the new one!! Thanks again!
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Jul 2018
Posts: 1,613
Likes: 562
From: Black Hills of SD
I use tow/haul and select "M" on the gear shift. That way I can choose when the truck will shift up and down. I found this out through experience. with what your planning to pull and what you have on order, you could just put it in drive and let it do it's thing. However, when you have cruise set pulling and descend a hill, the tranny wants to downshift to compensate for the additional speed. I know on my 7.3 gaser, it wants to scream with RPMs to get it slowed down. That's the reason I use M mode............
Laughing Gas
Joined: Dec 2021
Posts: 1,088
Likes: 342
From: PG, BC, Canada
I use tow/haul and select "M" on the gear shift. That way I can choose when the truck will shift up and down. I found this out through experience. with what your planning to pull and what you have on order, you could just put it in drive and let it do it's thing. However, when you have cruise set pulling and descend a hill, the tranny wants to downshift to compensate for the additional speed. I know on my 7.3 gaser, it wants to scream with RPMs to get it slowed down. That's the reason I use M mode............
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Jul 2018
Posts: 1,613
Likes: 562
From: Black Hills of SD
Not sure what your question is?