Towing with O/D
Posting Guru
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 2,297
Likes: 0
What speed do you intend to average? What kind of terrain will you be traveling over? Between the truck, probable cargo, and the trailer, you'll probably be moving 10,000 - 10,500 lbs. down the highway. That makes me want to stay away from O/D in order to prevent lugging the engine.
Posting Guru
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 1,008
Likes: 1
From: Port St. Lucie, FL
Originally Posted by scottie2hottie
Don't use O/D when towing for any reason especially w an auto-the amount of shifting your tranny will do between O/D and D isn't exactly "good for it."
Scott
Scott
My wife has an 03 Expy EB, have not towed anything with IT cause that is what I have my truck for (02 F-250 PSD). My truck it stays in OD.
There is no reason not to use OD unless the truck keeps hunting for gears (down shift, up shift, down shift, etc.) if it is doing that lock OD out. If not leave it in OD.
Postmaster
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 2,833
Likes: 0
From: Honkytonkville
Well, the only vehicle I own that is tow-worthy and has O/D is my explorer, which I tow my boat with. It shifts like a mother if left in O/D. All of my tow-worthy trucks are 4 or 5 speed or C6(no O/D), so I couldn't give an experienced based opinion on them, but the dealer at which I bought my boat suggested not to drive with any automatic in O/D.
Scott
Scott
Trending Topics
Elder User
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 898
Likes: 0
Well.... Ford says it's OK to tow in OD.
Sounds to me like the boat you are towing is too heavy for your Explorer.
I had a Ranger pick up that I used to tow with & always towed in OD. It had almost 300,000 miles on it when I gave it to my kid. Never a problem.
Used OD in my Aerostar , a couple F150's & my F250. Never a problem related to towing. All ended up with over 200,000 miles on them.
Current Aerostar (94/180,000 Mi), F-250(97/290,000Mi) & Expid (99/136,000Mi.) No problems with trans.
Locking out OD will not hurt your truck. Just run at higher RPM's & use more fuel.
Sounds to me like the boat you are towing is too heavy for your Explorer.
I had a Ranger pick up that I used to tow with & always towed in OD. It had almost 300,000 miles on it when I gave it to my kid. Never a problem.
Used OD in my Aerostar , a couple F150's & my F250. Never a problem related to towing. All ended up with over 200,000 miles on them.
Current Aerostar (94/180,000 Mi), F-250(97/290,000Mi) & Expid (99/136,000Mi.) No problems with trans.
Locking out OD will not hurt your truck. Just run at higher RPM's & use more fuel.
FTE Stories
Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts
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
2026 Shelby F-150 Off-Road: Better Than a Raptor R?
Brett Foote
2027 Super Duty Carhartt Package First Look: 12 Things You NEED to Know!
Michael S. Palmer
10 Most Surprising 2026 Ford Truck Features!
Joe Kucinski
Senior User
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 116
Likes: 1
From: St. Cloud, FL
I towed a liteweight 19' bassboat with my 01 explorer and it hunted all the time unless I locked it out...Upgraded to the 03 Expy, towed to SanT South Carolina and back (~1100miles round trip) and only took it out of OD when in small towns, off of the interstate...Maybe a total of 50 miles on the trip out of OD..And no problems running 70-75 in OD up I95 and back...
Postmaster
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 2,833
Likes: 0
From: Honkytonkville
Good thought there- the guys who build em oughtta now the reason for not using O/D better than any of us can explain- so I'd recommend doing as they say, but afterall, it's your drivetrain so do with it as you will....
Scott
Scott
Senior User
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 114
Likes: 0
AAMCO "Leave it in OD, it knows where it needs to be. If it's changing constantly leave OD off."
Real Life Observations
Lowere operating temps when towing in OD.
Removed trans pan for filter/fluid change. Obsolutley no sign of trans issues. Fluid was great after 3 years of towing #5000 trailer.
Real Life Observations
Lowere operating temps when towing in OD.
Removed trans pan for filter/fluid change. Obsolutley no sign of trans issues. Fluid was great after 3 years of towing #5000 trailer.