Transmission Failure!
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Joined: Jun 2004
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Transmission Failure!
We have a 1999 Ford Ranger extended cap which we use to pull a tent camper. This is the 2.5 engine.
Last week the transmission started having major troubles; we took it in to be checked out and learned we had to replace the transmisson. almost $2000 poorer, we will pick it up tomorrow.
Question. The repair shop said we should ALWAYS tow campers in overdrive. Reading posted notes earlier I got the impression that was not right. The repair shop also indicated our pulling a camper out of Overdrive COULD have been a major contributing factor to the transmission problems.
Which do we do - Overdrive or not? The tent camper weighs almost 3,000 pounds.
Will appreciate any help we can get.
Last week the transmission started having major troubles; we took it in to be checked out and learned we had to replace the transmisson. almost $2000 poorer, we will pick it up tomorrow.
Question. The repair shop said we should ALWAYS tow campers in overdrive. Reading posted notes earlier I got the impression that was not right. The repair shop also indicated our pulling a camper out of Overdrive COULD have been a major contributing factor to the transmission problems.
Which do we do - Overdrive or not? The tent camper weighs almost 3,000 pounds.
Will appreciate any help we can get.
Post Fiend
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 9,748
Likes: 16
From: Connecticut
Welcome to FTE!
I would be interested in hearing the reasoning behind what your tranny shop is telling you.
Using OD means you are using the torque converter lock-up function. This causes your tranny to shift gears more often, and to engage in more complex electronic as well as mechanical operations. I don't see how that can be beneficial to a tranny towing a 3K load with a 2.5L powerplant.
Even with my 4.0L I don't tow in OD unless I am on a long, flat expressway where I know my tranny won't be hunting up and down for gears at every dip and incline.
Just my .02.
I would be interested in hearing the reasoning behind what your tranny shop is telling you.
Using OD means you are using the torque converter lock-up function. This causes your tranny to shift gears more often, and to engage in more complex electronic as well as mechanical operations. I don't see how that can be beneficial to a tranny towing a 3K load with a 2.5L powerplant.
Even with my 4.0L I don't tow in OD unless I am on a long, flat expressway where I know my tranny won't be hunting up and down for gears at every dip and incline.
Just my .02.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 1,436
Likes: 117
From: Virginia
Welcome to FTE!
I had always "heard" you should NOT pull a heavy load in overdrive. I don't have any first hand knowledge of this. I have a suggestion no matter what you do..... use a transmission cooler + fan. Heat is a problem anyway, when you pull loads it is even worse. Just a thought.
I had always "heard" you should NOT pull a heavy load in overdrive. I don't have any first hand knowledge of this. I have a suggestion no matter what you do..... use a transmission cooler + fan. Heat is a problem anyway, when you pull loads it is even worse. Just a thought.
Senior User
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 145
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From: Seabrook, Texas
Of course he would tell you that; he owns a transmission shop. Kind of like the guys at work here who brag about a certain independent transmission shop around here that tells them you never need to change out the transmission's fluid and filter. They are the ones getting transmission overhauls, not me.
Post Fiend
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 9,748
Likes: 16
From: Connecticut
Originally Posted by G2IC_Wraith
.... I have a suggestion no matter what you do..... use a transmission cooler + fan. Heat is a problem anyway, when you pull loads it is even worse. Just a thought.
On a related note, I should have also mentioned that torque converter operation is a very large generator of heat in a transmission. Not usually a problem in normal day-to-day driving, but as noted, towing changes that whole equation around (for the worse as far as your tranny goes).
Junior User
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 88
Likes: 0
One quick note.. The last gear ie overdive has less clutches in it than the lower gears. When you take off the torque multiplication from the converter creates more power to get you moving. The faster you go the less you need to keep that weight going. So as the trans. shifts you get less clutches. You may have 5 or 6 in first but in od you may only have 2. So to some it up you will use more gas but save your trans.
