towing questions
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towing questions
I have a 1997 super cab f250 psd, towing a 31' fifth wheel that weighs roughly 11500lbs my tranny is auto e4od. am i supposed to tow in od off mode, when i do it sounds like it is wound tight at 60mph(2200 rpm) i want to go into od so bad, is that alright. Or can I change rear end gears, dont know mine but what ratio is best for towing.
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From: AZ
Sounds like you have 3.55 gears in it. I have heard that it is ok to tow in od as long as the tranny doesnt "hunt" for gears, like in the mountains. I have 4.10 gears and in 4th gear (5-speed manual) I am almost to 3000 rpm at 60 mph, 4.10s are better for towing and give you a higher trailer weight capacity. You should be fine towing your 5th wheel, just dont get your rpms too low and lug the motor (high egts)
Last edited by ForemanES; May 9, 2006 at 12:36 AM.
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Joined: Aug 2004
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From: SHELTON, WA
the motor is fine at those rpms. on an unmodded truck i know it sounds a little scary. but its fine. its due to the exhaust and intake being so restrictive. open up a little and it will sound fine or leave alone and its ok. get some gauges so you dont get your tranny to hot. other than that it should be fine.
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From: Idaho
Mike-
I have a 97 crewcab 2wd I tow a 33' fifth wheel about the same weight, I will kick it in overdrive on the interstate and have had no known problems. In town, winding roads, and mountains it's a gimmie leave it off. I do have some mods done to my truck, if your all stock I would recomend the larger trani cooler and temp gauge to ease your concern. It's just being smart on the interstate take the od off before you start up the hill and passing.
I just re-read what I typed up the hill and passing made me think back before the powerstroke, I hated hills. As for the gears I thought I would have to change them out. Instead I put the money on other mods and gauges and am glad that I did.
I have a 97 crewcab 2wd I tow a 33' fifth wheel about the same weight, I will kick it in overdrive on the interstate and have had no known problems. In town, winding roads, and mountains it's a gimmie leave it off. I do have some mods done to my truck, if your all stock I would recomend the larger trani cooler and temp gauge to ease your concern. It's just being smart on the interstate take the od off before you start up the hill and passing.
I just re-read what I typed up the hill and passing made me think back before the powerstroke, I hated hills. As for the gears I thought I would have to change them out. Instead I put the money on other mods and gauges and am glad that I did.
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From: South Texas Coast
Originally Posted by mikehoward2
I have a 1997 super cab f250 psd, towing a 31' fifth wheel that weighs roughly 11500lbs my tranny is auto e4od. am i supposed to tow in od off mode, when i do it sounds like it is wound tight at 60mph(2200 rpm) i want to go into od so bad, is that alright. Or can I change rear end gears, dont know mine but what ratio is best for towing.
Your PSD will run all day long at that speed.
The main reason for down shifting is to keep the tranny from overheating.
You can add an under/overdrive unit behind the tranny that will give you a gear between 3rd and OD I have been considering one for some time and am about to make the move.
There are two that I have looked at: GearVendors and U S Gear. They each have pros and cons. Be prepared to spend some $$$ if you choose that route
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