I know this is very a basic question, but would appreciate an experienced recommendation for the correct/best procedure(s) when towing my 5th wheel on a steep uphill grade, and need to shift down to 1st.

Truck info: 2000 F250 SD CC, V10, 4.30 rear end, long bed-22,000 miles on the odomoter.
Trailer info: 11,000 lbs fully loaded, 2100 lb tongue weight.
20,000 GCVW for my F250 so have about a 3,000 lb margin.

The truck does not seem to want to automatically downshift from 2nd to 1st, even though on a very steep grade and I had the gas pedal floored.

- is this normal, or should it automatically downshift from any higher gear? (When in the "D" position, it does downshift correctly)
- before selecting 1st gear, should I completely release the gas pedal and reduce RPMs, or can I keep it floored and downshift?
- what is the recommended max speed for 1st gear. I ran at 35 MPH at about 4500-5000 RPM for about 1 mile until I reached the top of the grade, and it did not seem to be any problems but is slower better or necessary on the tranny?

Thanks for any comments, recommendations. Unfortunately the owners manual is not very helpful and I am a truck towing novice.

 

Hummm.. good question. I've haven't read on any Ford related message boards of anyone having to tow in 1st. I do know that the Tq converter is only locked in OD and D. So, in 2nd or 1st, the converter is unlocked and producing heat. Tons of heat at 4500-5000 rpms. I would seriously recomend a transmission tempature guage. They are very easy to install and should run about $45 or so. You might even need an even bigger tranny cooler or extra electric fan on the stock cooler. There is also a Ford TSB on replacing the radiator with one that has internal tranny cooler(if yours doesn't) which helps too. I'm courious if you tried to tow in 2nd. Were you not making any headway and determined that 1st would be better? You may try asking at these web sites also.

www.ford-diesel.com (try the gas section or maybe the towing section. They are VERY pro diesel and don't react well to gas questions)

www.rv.net
www.irv.com

 

i have a 1996 f250 4x4 xlt 460ci and e4od tanrs. if i shift into 2nd that is the only gear the transmision will use. i have found that it is better to keep the transmision in drive and let it select the right gear. i installed a transmision oil temp. gauge in the oil cooler line and was very surprised at how hot it runs. the temp. of the oil coming out of the tansmision runs about 260 to 310.

 

I pulled an 8000 pound boat with a 1994 bronco with an E4OD every weekend from 1994 to present, now I'm pulling it with a 2001 excursion, V-10. this is how the ford automatic is supposed to function. when the transmission is in OD it will shift when needed on its own. OD is the recommended shift position unles shifting between drive and over drive occurs too often, (shifting generates heat). or if additional engine braking is required. The drive position (over drive off) Will not allow the transmission to shift into OD, provides additional engine braking, but will allow the transmission to down shift when it feels the need. Position 2 puts the transmission in 2nd gear and only second gear, when you come to a stop and take off again, you will start in 2nd gear the transmission will not shift up or down, it will stay in second. this position allows you to access all the power and performance the engine has to offer. the transmission won't down shift, you can keep the engine in the power band forever as long as you watch your tach. If the hill gets too steep to pull in 2nd, let off the throttle and shift the transmission to 1st. slow down and keep the engine running in the peak torque curve and you will pull the world. When pulling a heavy load be sure to always shift to drive or 1st gear when stopping to be sure your engine doesn't lug, let it breath. The best running condition for the engine and transmission is when the engine is operating at the peak torque RPM. Find out where that is for your engine and keep it there when climbing. These truck love to pull, this is the way my truck and I work, When I have a job to do, I ask the truck to do it, If it can't do, I ask it what it can do for me and that's what I live with.

 

Thanks for your recommendations. In answer to your question, I was losing forward speed in 2nd, thus the downshift into 1st. It did great in 1st and got me over the steep grade at 35mph, which I have been told is too fast in 1st...since there is no RPM redline its easy to get carried away.

 

bblab,

You better have your tranny looked at by a shop. If tranny temp exceeds 250 degrees, major problems occur.

Rich

 

 

I am with webguyrich, 310* is WAY to hot for any tranny to run. Major tranny fluid breakdown occurs at those temps. I would check your tranny fluid, if it smells burnt or is really dark have it flushed and see about adding an extra heavy duty cooler, maybe one with it's own electric fan. I have the E40D in my f250 and the tranny guage has NEVER topper 220*.

 

This is what I've been told by my transmission shop which I have used for 20 years for all our equipment. Leave it in drive with the OD turned off on hard pulls and the 4r100 will use the gear it needs. The 2nd gear lock-in is mostly for low speed traction problems, we like it during stuck plowing situations but very limited as it builds heat quickly but it will get you unstuck. Even if your loosing ground speed in second at 35mph your engine rpm are still going to be in a good torue range and the truck will pull. Going to 1st manually and pedal to the metal is just going to cost you money and quickly while pulling. Any trans failure we have had has always been due to operator manually operating the gear selection while working. They also said do not use dual external coolers if you have 1. Install a larger high quality replacement as not to effect flow pressures, only a small issuue but important on a working truck. He will not guaratee his work if 2-external coolers are used.A cheap cooling trick, since we have to run front licence plates it blocks the external cooler on my 01-SD so we cut the top half of the bracket off and moved the licence plate down pulling temp. dropped between 10-20 degrees.