Overdrive when towing a trailer
Cross-Country
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 92
Likes: 0
From: Central Florida
Overdrive when towing a trailer
I have a 98 Ranger with a 3.0L and automatic transmission. I was told by the dealer (salesperson) not to use Overdrive when pulling a trailer. All I pull is a small utility trailer, total weight 1500 lbs
max. I have not been to concerned about it, but I plan on pulling it about 600 miles, some through the Tennessee mountains.
Did the salesperson know what they were talking about>
Bob W [FL]
max. I have not been to concerned about it, but I plan on pulling it about 600 miles, some through the Tennessee mountains.
Did the salesperson know what they were talking about>
Bob W [FL]
Post Fiend
Joined: Feb 2000
Posts: 11,496
Likes: 6
From: Kansas
Overdrive when towing a trailer
I would be very reluctant to use O/D with your V6, auto. 1500 lbs is quite a bit for that motor to pull in O/D. Your rear end gears are probably pretty high also and that would not be conducive to good pulling.
Junior User
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 51
Likes: 0
From: East of St.Louis(IL)
Overdrive when towing a trailer
I know that this will be hard to believe but the salesmen is correct. Comming from me that even hurts. You will need the full power range when towing. This means several things. First you WILL have to run in 4th gear or normal "D" drive for automatics. Secondly you will have to slow to highway speeds of 60-65. Thirdly, related to last, you will have to keep your rpms at 3,000 or less. All this from a well seasoned Ford mechanic. You can certainly cruise on flats in over drive but ANYTIME you start climbing you'l need that torque from "D" or 4th gear. I have a 3.0L 5spd w/3.73 gears (limited slip) and have towed quite abit and found, for the most part, all of that to be true. Towing a 3,800lbs boat/trailer I got to know my trucks ability pretty good, what she can and shouldn't do. The overall story here is that you need to keep rpms up during towing.
