Trailer Towing
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Freshman User
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 34
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Trailer Towing
I know this subject has come up before, but I can't find the right answer (the one I want). I have a 2001 PSD (with about 9K miles)with automatic and 3.73 rearend. Last week I towed my "tongue pull" travel trailer through east Texas and had some "problems" with the transmission. I towed in overdrive (the trailer weighs 10,160 lbs) cruise and had no problems until I started up some of the hills. About midway up the hill, the transmission would kick out of overdrive AND kick back into second at the same time---the RPM would go up to almost 3K---then when the hill top was passed, the transmission would go back to third overdrive.
Have other owners seen this situation? The dealer said it was "normal" because the transmission is computer controlled and is trying to get the engine back into the right power band---Is he giving me the "right scoop"?
Gembeau
Have other owners seen this situation? The dealer said it was "normal" because the transmission is computer controlled and is trying to get the engine back into the right power band---Is he giving me the "right scoop"?
Gembeau
Senior User
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 301
Likes: 1
From: East Texas
Trailer Towing
I live in east tx. also and pull a 10,000 # trailer I wouldn't pull in overdrive in hilly areas, only on the flats.
mine has not done that but I've haven't tested it to see if it would eather so I couldn't say if it's normal. I do have the 2001 psd with auto with 373 ls rears.
over and out
gseeders
mine has not done that but I've haven't tested it to see if it would eather so I couldn't say if it's normal. I do have the 2001 psd with auto with 373 ls rears.
over and out
gseeders
Junior User
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 85
Likes: 0
Trailer Towing
If your tranmission is in and out of 4th OD push the button so it does not shift into OD. Even on flat ground mine will shift in and out. Depends on the load. I have not towed since I got the Micro tuner. I will next weekend when going from the Keys to the Everglades. I will post about it then.
Richard
My ride is a white 2000 F350 Super Duty, Lariat with TOL radio and CD, leather electric captain chairs, PSD, 4X4, off road and camper and trailer towing package, long bed with a cap, 4.1 rear gear, automatic, SRW, fender and window flares, HD mud flaps, with added stainless steel 4" exhaust, turbo to 5" tip, with a "see thru" muffler and EGT, transmission temperature with turbo psi gauge. Super chips micro tuner. I tow a 12,000 pound 28.6 ft travel trailer
New User
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 5
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Trailer Towing
caution.ford changed there tranny set up in mid 2001.the oil pump for the tranny is ran off of the torque converter instead of the driveline.this will not allow oil to flow going down hill and will burn up the tranny.do not use overdrive at all when towing.staying in drive will turn the tranny pump a little more.shift problems like that is usually a sign of a tranny that has overheated at some point.take it to the dealer.
Posting Guru
Joined: Mar 2002
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From: Twin Cities, MN
Trending Topics
Frmr Ford Trans Engr
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 24,739
Likes: 2,669
From: SE Florida
Trailer Towing
>caution.ford changed there tranny set up in mid 2001.the oil
>pump for the tranny is ran off of the torque converter
>instead of the driveline.this will not allow oil to flow
>going down hill and will burn up the tranny.do not use
>overdrive at all when towing.staying in drive will turn the
>tranny pump a little more.shift problems like that is
>usually a sign of a tranny that has overheated at some
>point.take it to the dealer.
There isn't even a hint of truth in the above post.
The transmission pump is driven off the input shaft. It always has been driven off the input shaft.
You can tow in overdrive unless the transmission is frequently shifting in and out of overdrive. Frequent shifting will overheat the transmission and cause damage.
When you get to a grade that the truck can't pull in overdrive, first you will get the torque converter to unlock, then a shift to third gear, then a shift to second if it still can't maintain speed. It sounds like this is what the original poster saw. That's the way it is designed to work.
Mark
>pump for the tranny is ran off of the torque converter
>instead of the driveline.this will not allow oil to flow
>going down hill and will burn up the tranny.do not use
>overdrive at all when towing.staying in drive will turn the
>tranny pump a little more.shift problems like that is
>usually a sign of a tranny that has overheated at some
>point.take it to the dealer.
There isn't even a hint of truth in the above post.
The transmission pump is driven off the input shaft. It always has been driven off the input shaft.
You can tow in overdrive unless the transmission is frequently shifting in and out of overdrive. Frequent shifting will overheat the transmission and cause damage.
When you get to a grade that the truck can't pull in overdrive, first you will get the torque converter to unlock, then a shift to third gear, then a shift to second if it still can't maintain speed. It sounds like this is what the original poster saw. That's the way it is designed to work.
Mark
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Junior User
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 85
Likes: 0
Trailer Towing
When towing, flat land, no hills in the Keys, 60 mph, air temp 85,
in OD
exhaust temp = 750, Trans temp = 145, turbo = 9 psi, mpg = 8 to 10
Micro tuner set for trailer towing
A lot more ZIP and same conditions..... all the temperatures are about the same...... mpg increased to 10 to 12
not towing EGT 370, trans 120, turbo 5, mpg 22+
My ride is a 2000 F350 Super Duty, 18,00 miles, Lariat, PSD, 4X4, long bed with a cap, 4.1 rear, automatic, SRW, with added stainless steel 4" exhaust, turbo to 5" tip, with a "see thru" muffler and EGT, Trans temperature with turbo psi gauge. Micro tuner. I tow a 12,000 pound 28.6 ft travel trailer
in OD
exhaust temp = 750, Trans temp = 145, turbo = 9 psi, mpg = 8 to 10
Micro tuner set for trailer towing
A lot more ZIP and same conditions..... all the temperatures are about the same...... mpg increased to 10 to 12
not towing EGT 370, trans 120, turbo 5, mpg 22+
My ride is a 2000 F350 Super Duty, 18,00 miles, Lariat, PSD, 4X4, long bed with a cap, 4.1 rear, automatic, SRW, with added stainless steel 4" exhaust, turbo to 5" tip, with a "see thru" muffler and EGT, Trans temperature with turbo psi gauge. Micro tuner. I tow a 12,000 pound 28.6 ft travel trailer
New User
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 20
Likes: 0
From: Tuscaloosa USA
Trailer Towing
I had a similar problem last night during my first pulling attempt with my "new to me" truck. An almost identical setup also. What scared me was the large cloud of smoke from the exhaust when this happened. Has this happened to anyone else? I am new to diesels and it was quite scary. Also the floorboard temperature was over 110F degrees. My wife was complaining about the floor being to hot and I happened to have a laser thermometer handy. I have carpeted floorboard and husky floorliner. It was cool outside about 80F.
Junior User
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 85
Likes: 0
Trailer Towing
Hello lfs727 and All
Ye up...A lot of heat coming out from the engine area when towing a big load. I have not had any hills to tow over yet. The biggest is the "7 Mile Bridge" about 70 feet high. A heavy load and up a big hill could give you near 1000 - 1200 degree exhaust temp. Even on flat ground my fan cuts in for a short time.....Newtruck
Ye up...A lot of heat coming out from the engine area when towing a big load. I have not had any hills to tow over yet. The biggest is the "7 Mile Bridge" about 70 feet high. A heavy load and up a big hill could give you near 1000 - 1200 degree exhaust temp. Even on flat ground my fan cuts in for a short time.....Newtruck
Frmr Ford Trans Engr
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 24,739
Likes: 2,669
From: SE Florida
Trailer Towing
>my info from from a reliable source and my ford dealer
>admitted the problem existed when my second tranny in my
>2002 went out.there is a flow problem in 2002 models.
Your reliable source doesn't know beans about transmissions.
There may be a flow problem, but what you posted as the reason has no basis in fact. It's all nonsense.
Mark
>admitted the problem existed when my second tranny in my
>2002 went out.there is a flow problem in 2002 models.
Your reliable source doesn't know beans about transmissions.
There may be a flow problem, but what you posted as the reason has no basis in fact. It's all nonsense.
Mark