Overdrive or Not when towing?
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Senior User
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 150
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From: Vermillion, SD
Overdrive or Not when towing?
I have a freind with a 2003 that tows a horse trailer (about 6500 lbs., loaded). The dealership guys that do the maintainence for her told her to never tow in overdrive. Is that really correct? I told her I'd post this question to you guys to get the real scoop on towing in OD. Thanks!
Postmaster
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 4,993
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From: Bend, OR
If your tranny is hunting for gears, shifting in and out of OD then lock it out. If your in the hills and pulling then shift it out, but otherwise tow away... The older e4od had some OD issues but the 4r100 is somewhat better.
SO, hunting for gears, lock it out, if not go right on towing.
SO, hunting for gears, lock it out, if not go right on towing.
Elder User
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 555
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From: Cincinnati, Ohio
Very well said there CSIPSD! I believe this is how the manual reads about the same Question. I pull 11000#'s and If it will lock down in OD and Stay there that's how I pull. At least until the EGT's start climbing, then I have to cool it. But if your friends truck is all stock, she don't have worry about a thing. But how cool is that, Your friend's a lady, she has horses and a SuperDuty! Welcome to FTE.
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Senior User
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 150
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From: Vermillion, SD
Thanks guys, I was pretty sure it was made to run in OD as you pointed out, not kicking down all the time. I know we run our 02 in OD with about the same weight behind it and don't have any problems.
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Joined: Nov 2004
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From: New Hampshire
csipsd has it right, if you are going slow enough so that the tranny keeps downshifting out of od while you are towing, go ahead and save the tranny the trouble and just shut off the od... you didn't mention wether or not you have a an aftermarket tranny temp guage... i believe the original equipment tranny temp gauge is junk... by the time it tells you that your tranny is overheating, the damage has been done... an aftermarket gauge is going to give you a much more accurate, "real time" reading one where your tranny temps are, and we all know that excessive heat is the real enemy of an auto tranny... one other thing... my opinion is, when in doubt leave overdrive out... running in a lower gear might cost you a little more fuel, but constant shifting up and down can really boost an auto tranny's temps, and if you don't have an after market tranny cooler added to your truck you could be doing some damage... lots of factors to take into consideration, ambient outside air temps... terrian you are driving... steep hills etc... stop and go traffic... i pull a 10k lb fifth wheel with my 02, and because i pull that load on hot summer days and up through the mountains, i have added a big tranny cooler, shift kit in the tranny, tranny temp gauge, and full synthetic tranny fluid... all those things give me peace of mind when i'm pulling a big load down the road...
