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03 7.3L F350 DRW usually tow a 6k lb trailer. I push the button and shut the OD whenever I tow, is this correct or are there times when you can tow with OD? Truck is new to me, trailer isn't I've towed it all over but with a different brand truck with a gas motor.
I only turn it off if it keeps downshifting from od. Honestly that’s not too often. I’ll let it slow down if need be. That’s when I find not using cruise control is beneficial. I try to keep it in od on the hwy especially towing lite.
I would say it depends on a lot of things. What is your rpm at the speed your trying to go? What weight do you have behind you? what elevation and grades are you pulling? I would not be afraid to run 2500+ rpm for hours on end. It just is loud and consumes fuel like no other. I just ran an 1000+ mile trip at 29k lbs gross weight at 2500-2600 rpm. It sat at 2500 rpm for 10 hours at a time.
Many think 7.3s dont like RPM but they don't care.
Anyways, if EGTs allow you to cruise at 2k rpm with OD on pulling your load, then have at it. if it doesnt, downshift and let it eat.
EDIT: I tow with OD on because I have an F550 with 4.88s so OD on (4th gear) I am at 2500 rpm at 70 mph but you can do OD off or on as long as you keep EGTs in check
You'll get the hang of it after a while and will know when to use it, just like the others said. One thing I'll add is when slowing down, like coming off a freeway ramp, I like to push the button whether towing or not just for the braking effect. Definitely when in the mountains use OD OFF both climbing and descending.
I am in the mountains of E TN, local towing is hills but any distance means going over a mountain. Granted it's not like mountains out west but pretty good pulls. Don't want to damage the transmission or torque converter if that's what keeping it out of overdrive was designed for. Don't have gauges installed yet, that's one of the projects on the list. Truck has no modifications but does have 270k mi. and doesn't seem to have been abused.
if I am towing, I turn OD off, and let the engine rev up into its' powerband and leave it there, period...
that way, I can use the cruise control, sit back and relax, and if an incline comes up, the torque converter stays locked, the turbo winds up, and the Speedometer never moves.
the neat thing is, it gets better fuel mileage because the tranny is not downshifting and turbo cramming more fuel it on every little incline.
on this tow, Fuelio app, showed 15.3 average over the 1500 miles from Utah to home in Okieland
I only turn it off if it keeps downshifting from od. Honestly that’s not too often. I’ll let it slow down if need be. That’s when I find not using cruise control is beneficial. I try to keep it in od on the hwy especially towing lite.
This is basically the way I roll.
Mostly to keep it from going in/out of OD I expect it to.
Sometimes hit it before a hill to preemptively prevent a downshift from occurring later when I won’t want it. Manually kicking it down before it’s under a heavy load seems to help mine with a smoother shift.
Cruise control while towing doesn’t always work well. It seems to apply heavy throttle which will make it kick down when it wouldn’t be needed. I reserve using it for fairly flat pulls. I believe your stock tuning and stock turbo will probably be more forgiving in the cruise control aspect.
if I am towing, I turn OD off, and let the engine rev up into its' powerband and leave it there, period...
that way, I can use the cruise control, sit back and relax, and if an incline comes up, the torque converter stays locked, the turbo winds up, and the Speedometer never moves.
the neat thing is, it gets better fuel mileage because the tranny is not downshifting and turbo cramming more fuel it on every little incline.
on this tow, Fuelio app, showed 15.3 average over the 1500 miles from Utah to home in Okieland
What speed do you set your cruise for on these long trips?
Originally Posted by RacinJasonWV
This is basically the way I roll.
Mostly to keep it from going in/out of OD I expect it to.
Sometimes hit it before a hill to preemptively prevent a downshift from occurring later when I won’t want it. Manually kicking it down before it’s under a heavy load seems to help mine with a smoother shift. My 7.3L won't even get that mpg empty!
Cruise control while towing doesn’t always work well. It seems to apply heavy throttle which will make it kick down when it wouldn’t be needed. I reserve using it for fairly flat pulls. I believe your stock tuning and stock turbo will probably be more forgiving in the cruise control aspect.
I do just like you said. I tow my 10Klb toyhauler in over drive a lot, but it really depends on the speed limit. I have 3.73 gears and 32.5" tires. If the speed limit is 60 or less I'll generally turn OD off because I'm not making enough power under 2000 rpm to maintain speed with the trailer on. 65+ though and I'm running 2600+ rpm and it's obnoxious to listen to and my EOT and ECT will get hot pulling at those higher rpms for a long time.
So TCC will still operate with the OD shut off? And it's all good to turn it on and off while driving with no adverse effects to the transmission? I've had others that tow or have towed with trucks like mine say they never tow unless they shut the OD off. With my gasser I only drop it out of OD for downhills as it kicks out of OD on most any decent sized hill.
@RacinJasonWV I know you're familiar with the type of terrain I tow in if you tow in WV.
Pretty much what all the vatos on top said, if it's surging between OD and 3rd take it out. At 6k it shouldn't drop gears unless you are driving low speeds/rpm or in very hilly areas which seems is what you are driving on.
I would still check for pre turbo exhaust leaks, and boost leaks as that can make the truck feel like your towing a house behind you.
So TCC will still operate with the OD shut off? And it's all good to turn it on and off while driving with no adverse effects to the transmission? I've had others that tow or have towed with trucks like mine say they never tow unless they shut the OD off. With my gasser I only drop it out of OD for downhills as it kicks out of OD on most any decent sized hill.
@RacinJasonWV I know you're familiar with the type of terrain I tow in if you tow in WV.
I can lighten up on the throttle a bit while hitting OD OFF which will help the shift feel smoother, then squeeze the pedal back down.
Actually I’m probably a bit of an oddity in WV (ok yeah everywhere but not in this context) because my towing is mostly river valleys. Some big hills here and there but in all mostly just rolling stuff. I haven’t towed much in the last few years so I’m definitely rusty too.
Here’s a decent hill on I-64 in KY. Pulling the 24’ enclosed car trailer while in OD.
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