Towing question
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Towing question
I own a F250, 2001, 7.3L diesel . It has just over 50K miles. I bought it new and really like it. But I have started having tranny problems. I tow a horse trailer and a 30ft 5th wheel. Niether seem to be a load for my truck. I was told by my dealer to stay in overdrive. He said there is a chip that will tell the trans what gear it should be in. Traveling with OD off can cause my tran to overheat. A friend told me the opposite for the same reason. I checked my owners manual and still not sure. Also should I get a heat gauge installed for my tran?
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My first post.
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Postmaster
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 4,968
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From: So Cal
Wouldn't hurt to put in a temp gauge so you know what you are looking at. BTW, you might post in the transmission section, you might get more responses.
I think the 250 might be a little light for a 30 foot 5th wheeler but I don't know. Check your GCWR GVWR etc.
Normally you should tow in OD unless your transmission is hunting gears. Hunting is where the tranny shifts back and forth several times a minute like it can't make up it's mind. When it does this you should drop down one gear.
Not sure on your model but older models would unlock the torque converter if you drove in 3rd. This would lead to more heat. But if you are hunting, you make heat from all the shifting plus wear and tear including the lockup clutch.
If I am towing in OD and am coming on a long hill, I will usually put it in third well before it slows down enough to do it automatically. If you let the tranny shift automatically in this situation you will often be at a low road speed and the tranny may have to shift lower than you might just to maintain speed.
Good Luck,
Jim Henderson
I think the 250 might be a little light for a 30 foot 5th wheeler but I don't know. Check your GCWR GVWR etc.
Normally you should tow in OD unless your transmission is hunting gears. Hunting is where the tranny shifts back and forth several times a minute like it can't make up it's mind. When it does this you should drop down one gear.
Not sure on your model but older models would unlock the torque converter if you drove in 3rd. This would lead to more heat. But if you are hunting, you make heat from all the shifting plus wear and tear including the lockup clutch.
If I am towing in OD and am coming on a long hill, I will usually put it in third well before it slows down enough to do it automatically. If you let the tranny shift automatically in this situation you will often be at a low road speed and the tranny may have to shift lower than you might just to maintain speed.
Good Luck,
Jim Henderson
FTE Legend
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 65,938
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From: Millersville, MD
I tow a 5th wheel, also a 30 footer with my 2005 f250 6.0 PSD and have to keep checking my rear view to see if it's still there!!!!
I DO have a tranny temp gauge to keep track of temp and it always stay real close to where it stay when i'm NOT pulling !! About 185degrees. Difference is, my 05 tranny is the newer one with the tow/haul feature. This engine/transmission is the BEST!
I DO have a tranny temp gauge to keep track of temp and it always stay real close to where it stay when i'm NOT pulling !! About 185degrees. Difference is, my 05 tranny is the newer one with the tow/haul feature. This engine/transmission is the BEST!
Elder User
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 684
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From: Tucson, AZ
I tow a 31' 5th toy hauler with my 06 250 and the truck hardly knows its there. Loaded up it is probably about 11,000lbs. On the other hand I also tow an equipment trailer on my reciever that weighs about 12,000lbs, and I definitely know it is back there.Flat or relatively flat ground I have it in OD, hilly stuff I use tow/haul.
Posting Guru
Joined: Mar 2004
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From: MARYLAND
Originally Posted by kydale
I own a F250, 2001, 7.3L diesel . It has just over 50K miles. I bought it new and really like it. But I have started having tranny problems. I tow a horse trailer and a 30ft 5th wheel. Niether seem to be a load for my truck. I was told by my dealer to stay in overdrive. He said there is a chip that will tell the trans what gear it should be in. Traveling with OD off can cause my tran to overheat. A friend told me the opposite for the same reason. I checked my owners manual and still not sure. Also should I get a heat gauge installed for my tran?
My first post.
Thanks
My first post.
Thanks
Of the next Riffraff East
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 8,679
Likes: 2
From: Concord NC
What kind of tranny problems are you having? And yes I think any diesel used for towing should have a full set of gauges. EGT, boost and tranny temp. Being able to monitor these will save you money in the long run.
Elder User
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 627
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From: Claremore, Ok 74017
A big yes on the trans temp guage. my 99 would run up to 210 pulling fairly easy. Last big load I pulled the temps stayed lower if I downshifted early on hills you knew it would downshift on. Just upgraded to a 6.0 trans cooler, which is about 3 times bigger the the 7.3. haven't towed to know how much of a temp drop though, about 30 degrees driving empty.
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In July I was on the way to the lake not towing anything and 2nd gear went out. The dealer fixed it as throw it was under an extended warranty. At the time I had less than 50K miles on the truck but I bought it in Feb 2001. About 3 weeks after that pulling a 21ft horse trailer with two horses 3rd gear went out. I was able to make it the rest of the way home. The dealer said a piston was bad? I have a 12k mile or 12 month warrany on it from the first rebuild. But now I don't trust my trans. I have always drove it with OD off when towing. I think from everyone's feedback I know the proper way and I'm looking forward to my next trip which will be to Texas from Ky. about 1400 miles. If I keep having trouble with it I will replace the trans. But not sure with what?
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Of the next Riffraff East
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 8,679
Likes: 2
From: Concord NC
I don't know which side of KY you live in, but I think the generally feeling around here, or at least on the 99-03 7.3 diesel forum is Brian's Truck Shop in AR. He builds a bullet proof tranny and guarantees it for what every you want to do with it. Several members have one of his trannys and would not every consider any other. If I were closer and had some extra money ($3900.00 I think) that is what I would do. You may contact them and work a visit on your way out west.
Last edited by zx250; Aug 31, 2006 at 07:24 AM.