Towing RPM
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Junior User
Joined: Mar 2005
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From: southern california
Towing RPM
I have a 2002 F250 with the V10. My question is what rpm is best to tow at, do I want to keep it at around 3,250 rpm where it makes the most torque and will this deliver the best mpg ?
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I would let the transmission (to a point) decide what rpm's you should be running. It all depends on the load you're pulling, grade you're on, etc.
Pulling my 9K lb travel trailer, I've only got about 2300 rpm or so on the flat interstate, but a decent "hill" (because there are no mtns in MN
), will get me up around 4000 rpm if I try to keep speed.
You won't need maximum torque all the time. Plus, I would think if you were running that high of rpm all the time, it would really eat into the gas mileage...
Pulling my 9K lb travel trailer, I've only got about 2300 rpm or so on the flat interstate, but a decent "hill" (because there are no mtns in MN
), will get me up around 4000 rpm if I try to keep speed.You won't need maximum torque all the time. Plus, I would think if you were running that high of rpm all the time, it would really eat into the gas mileage...
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From: Rancho Cucamonga, CA
What are you pulling?
My truck will not even think about OD with the load I am yanking behind. The truck runs between 2800 - 3200 RPM depending upon my speed. I have run thousands of miles around 3,000 RPM without any issue to the engine. Does eat the gas though, about 7.5 or so is all it gets. But pulling along at 21,000 lbs I can't complain.
If I am pulling a smaller grade it will stay in 3rd and run the same RPM but sounds like it is working a lot harder. If I hit a 6% though, it needs 2nd. Then I run about 4 - 4500 depending upon speed. I have pulled long long grades (like Baker in CA) at the 4,000+ RPM mark without any issue except gas consumption. The V10 likes to rev up and sounds good doing it. The engine does not sound stressed at all at 4,000+ RPM ... the old 460 sounded like it was making gravity at those RPMs. The only issue is the V10 is thirsty when spinning high. But then again, the old 460 was thirsty all the time.
My truck will not even think about OD with the load I am yanking behind. The truck runs between 2800 - 3200 RPM depending upon my speed. I have run thousands of miles around 3,000 RPM without any issue to the engine. Does eat the gas though, about 7.5 or so is all it gets. But pulling along at 21,000 lbs I can't complain.
If I am pulling a smaller grade it will stay in 3rd and run the same RPM but sounds like it is working a lot harder. If I hit a 6% though, it needs 2nd. Then I run about 4 - 4500 depending upon speed. I have pulled long long grades (like Baker in CA) at the 4,000+ RPM mark without any issue except gas consumption. The V10 likes to rev up and sounds good doing it. The engine does not sound stressed at all at 4,000+ RPM ... the old 460 sounded like it was making gravity at those RPMs. The only issue is the V10 is thirsty when spinning high. But then again, the old 460 was thirsty all the time.
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Joined: Nov 2005
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From: Maryland
I pulled my 5k TT on two different occasions, same trip. The first trip I used OD as much as posible. The second trip I locked out OD and ran 3rd. I have the 3.73's and my truck definitely likes the higher rpm's, 2,800 - 3,200, better than 1,700. I also got almost 1.5 mpg better at the higher rpm's. The only thing I can think of is the engine was lugging too much on the hills at the lower rpm's. Has anyone else experienced this. It would probably be different with the 4.10's or 4.30's.
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From: OZ
I pull mostly with OD off, but I have the 3.73 gears. I can run in OD but with the cruise on it shifts in and out too often. If I use my foot I can keep it it OD much more.
But any more I just turn OD off and let her wind up(2800-3200), sounds much better that way
But any more I just turn OD off and let her wind up(2800-3200), sounds much better that way
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Joined: Jan 2005
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From: San Diego, CA
When hitting the 6% grades, I am at 4200 to just below 5K. If it falls below 3500, she is a dog. If I can keep it at 4200 or above, I will maintain the speed limit. I get around 6 mpg's towing this way. But I also run 3 to 4k down hill too. The transmission makes sure she keeps her speed down.
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From: Rancho Cucamonga, CA
Originally Posted by psd4mike
When hitting the 6% grades, I am at 4200 to just below 5K. If it falls below 3500, she is a dog. I
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Post Fiend
Joined: Jun 2003
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From: NE Texas
Do you have the auto or manual tranny?
Most of the time I tow around 12K. In Northeast Texas there's small hills everywhere, so it's mainly around 2600 RPMs at 70 MPH w/the 4.30s until I hit one of those hills. I usually bump up the MPH a bit before I get there and then just before I hit the crest I shift down. It all depends on load, drag, gearing and the type of tranny.
Most of the time I tow around 12K. In Northeast Texas there's small hills everywhere, so it's mainly around 2600 RPMs at 70 MPH w/the 4.30s until I hit one of those hills. I usually bump up the MPH a bit before I get there and then just before I hit the crest I shift down. It all depends on load, drag, gearing and the type of tranny.
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From: Rancho Cucamonga, CA
Originally Posted by Big Orn
Do you have the auto or manual tranny?
Most of the time I tow around 12K. In Northeast Texas there's small hills everywhere, so it's mainly around 2600 RPMs at 70 MPH w/the 4.30s until I hit one of those hills. I usually bump up the MPH a bit before I get there and then just before I hit the crest I shift down. It all depends on load, drag, gearing and the type of tranny.
Most of the time I tow around 12K. In Northeast Texas there's small hills everywhere, so it's mainly around 2600 RPMs at 70 MPH w/the 4.30s until I hit one of those hills. I usually bump up the MPH a bit before I get there and then just before I hit the crest I shift down. It all depends on load, drag, gearing and the type of tranny.
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