I need towing advice
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Junior User
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 85
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I need towing advice
I am going to tow a large trailer, weight about 3000 kg (I live in the metric part of the world).
My Ex is a 2000 V10 Lim 4x4 with oilcooler, transcooler etc. I belive it must have something like a tow-package, because there are also a big framemounted hitch.
It may sound stupid, but I need to know if it is ok to tow when in overdrive, or should I turn overdrive off?
Is it ok to tow with cruisecontrol engaged? The trip will be in a relative flat landscape, with no steep hills.
Thanks,
Lars Petter
(Norway)
My Ex is a 2000 V10 Lim 4x4 with oilcooler, transcooler etc. I belive it must have something like a tow-package, because there are also a big framemounted hitch.
It may sound stupid, but I need to know if it is ok to tow when in overdrive, or should I turn overdrive off?
Is it ok to tow with cruisecontrol engaged? The trip will be in a relative flat landscape, with no steep hills.
Thanks,
Lars Petter
(Norway)
Fleet Owner
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 26,007
Likes: 575
From: Brentwood,CA
there is no oil cooler on these. just a tranny and p/s cooler. never tow in overdrive. cruise control might be a bad thing it will drift in and out of gear so i would not use it. what is 3000kg in pounds?
Sit. Stay.
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 18,308
Likes: 20
From: Washington State
Oh boy... 
Tow in Overdrive!!!!!!!! Unless the tranny continually hunts between gears (in which case you should lock out the overdrive until you get out of the terrain that is causing the hunting) use all forward gears available.
Tow in Overdrive!!!!!!!! Unless the tranny continually hunts between gears (in which case you should lock out the overdrive until you get out of the terrain that is causing the hunting) use all forward gears available.
FTE *******
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 791
Likes: 1
From: Pittsburgh, PA
I tow 13,000 lbs behind my Excursion. I always use overdrive. My Father's 99 F-350 has been towing this same trailer for years....he has never turned off OD in his life. He has 91K miles on his truck, last week he changed the tranny fluid for the first time. Hook to it, make sure lights and brakes are working, and go where you want like you normally do. 6K lbs is barely a load, your truck will hardly notice that light little thing is there! Now, If your bored af carrying around all that extra money, turn OD off and watch the fuel level drop as you drive...or leave OD on and send me that money!
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Junior User
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 83
Likes: 0
From: Williamsburg, VA
I have a realitive that owns a AAMCO transmission shop and he said it is ok to tow in overdrive. He did ad that overdrive is the weakest gear in the transmission, but like Monsta stated, as long as its not constantly shifting in and out of OD then no damage will be done. He also said, the transmissions in the Super Duty trucks are almost bullet-proof. He sees very few in for repair.
Hope this helps
Jeff
Hope this helps
Jeff
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Michael S. Palmer
Junior User
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 64
Likes: 0
From: New Brunswick, Canada
I towed 7,500 lb trailer with mine regularly (2000 Ex, v10).
- Tows fine with O/D
- Get a good electric brake controller installed.
If you find that it sways too much on the highway (it probably will), even after you set up your sway brake on the trailer, let me know. There's a list of things to go through to get rid of the bad manners.
Cheers,
Norm
- Tows fine with O/D
- Get a good electric brake controller installed.
If you find that it sways too much on the highway (it probably will), even after you set up your sway brake on the trailer, let me know. There's a list of things to go through to get rid of the bad manners.
Cheers,
Norm
Junior User
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 97
Likes: 0
From: Northwest Indiana
As Vintage Tin posted, it'll tow fine in OD. We pull our 6K boat all the time in OD and haven't had any issues. I also tow a lot with the cruise on. You can milk a bit more milage out of it if you don't by letting it lose a couple mph on the hills then let it "catch up" on the downhill. This keeps it from downshifting going up.
Even with the lighter tongue weight that boat trailers have, we still had to install airbags to eliminate the sag in the soft rear end. As also posted above, to get the most out of the truck you'll need to do a few mods and upgrade a few things.
BTW, the V-10 has the oil cooler built into the oil filter housing. Look at it and you'll see the coolant hoses into and out of it.
Even with the lighter tongue weight that boat trailers have, we still had to install airbags to eliminate the sag in the soft rear end. As also posted above, to get the most out of the truck you'll need to do a few mods and upgrade a few things.
BTW, the V-10 has the oil cooler built into the oil filter housing. Look at it and you'll see the coolant hoses into and out of it.
Posting Guru
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 1,198
Likes: 2
From: Tulsa, OK
Can't comment on OD. My 03 has a different tranny.
I recommend Tekonsha Prodigy for your electric brake controller. Very good value and easy to install in X. Order it with the wiring harness for Excursion / SuperDuty.
I recommend Tekonsha Prodigy for your electric brake controller. Very good value and easy to install in X. Order it with the wiring harness for Excursion / SuperDuty.
Mountain Pass
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 126
Likes: 9
Towing with the Ex
[QUOTE=T- Squared] As also posted above, to get the most out of the truck you'll need to do a few mods and upgrade a few things.
What are the best mods to improve towing? I was thinking of the Hellwig anti-sway bar. airbags, and the Landyot Radius Rods...anything I am missing?
Thanks,
Howard
What are the best mods to improve towing? I was thinking of the Hellwig anti-sway bar. airbags, and the Landyot Radius Rods...anything I am missing?
Thanks,
Howard
Posting Guru
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 1,198
Likes: 2
From: Tulsa, OK
[QUOTE=howardq99]
Howard, you are absolutely on the right track. Prioritize gain / cost ratio as:
Radius Rods- Solves 80% of pbm.
Hellwig-Solves 15%
Air Bags-Levels truck when towing
Shocks-Depends on if you need them. I use Rancho 9000 for adjustability.
Originally Posted by T- Squared
As also posted above, to get the most out of the truck you'll need to do a few mods and upgrade a few things.
What are the best mods to improve towing? I was thinking of the Hellwig anti-sway bar. airbags, and the Landyot Radius Rods...anything I am missing?
Thanks,
Howard
What are the best mods to improve towing? I was thinking of the Hellwig anti-sway bar. airbags, and the Landyot Radius Rods...anything I am missing?
Thanks,
Howard
Radius Rods- Solves 80% of pbm.
Hellwig-Solves 15%
Air Bags-Levels truck when towing
Shocks-Depends on if you need them. I use Rancho 9000 for adjustability.
Junior User
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 64
Likes: 0
From: New Brunswick, Canada
At 3,000 kg, a good weight distribution hitch is a must, a sway control brake (or dual-cam sway controller integrated into your weight distribution hitch) also a must. Reese and Draw-tite have good products. I have used the Reese stuff for years with excellent results.
Although I haven't tried the radius rods, i have heard many positive remarks about them. Many of the lifted suspension firms offer them (called radius arms, track arms, etc.). That, or new rear leaf springs, are needed to get rid of the axle wrap, due to spongy main leaf of the rear springs. The rods will be cheaper $. Axle wrap is bad on these, and the rear of the truck will try to steer you.
Cheers,
Norm
Although I haven't tried the radius rods, i have heard many positive remarks about them. Many of the lifted suspension firms offer them (called radius arms, track arms, etc.). That, or new rear leaf springs, are needed to get rid of the axle wrap, due to spongy main leaf of the rear springs. The rods will be cheaper $. Axle wrap is bad on these, and the rear of the truck will try to steer you.
Cheers,
Norm