Towing ?s
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New User
Joined: Sep 2007
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Towing ?s
Need some advice from you guys. I pull a 4-5k lb. 5th wheel camper mostly in w.TX where its flat. What are your thoughts on pulling in OD? I just bought the camper a few months ago so not alot of experience pulling something of that size. I have '01 7.3 PSD. I know I need pod gauges to monitor the tranny temp and plan on getting a larger tranny cooler. The owners manual doesn't say not to pull in OD and others tell me they tow using OD all the time. Is It safe as long as the temp is within proper limits? Would appreciate any expertise. Thanks.
Post Fiend
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 10,007
Likes: 4
From: Central Florida
You have a lot of hitch for such a light trailer. I would say your fine, as long as the transmission doesn't hunt for the right gear. once the 4th gear is engaged and the torque converter is locked, you don't have the slippage that builds extra heat.
Lead Driver
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 5,844
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From: Albuquerque
Yes...You should be fine towing in OD...especially in the flats...and with only 5k in tow. The general rule is...if your 4R100 tranny starts shifting from OD to 3rd...and back (usually does this in the hills or mountains), then turn off OD. 
If you are looking for more cooling for your tranny, then you might look at the 6.0L PSD tranny cooler. I have read a lot of those mods here on FTE.
biz
If you are looking for more cooling for your tranny, then you might look at the 6.0L PSD tranny cooler. I have read a lot of those mods here on FTE.
biz
Elder User
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 936
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From: Carlos, MN
Your fine towing in OD is fine, I think we have this same conversation about whether you can tow in OD every week. For the super duties your fine as long as it's not gear hunting, on a smaller truck I would suggest not pulling in OD unless you like buying new transmissions.
Cargo Master
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 2,243
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From: Roman Forest, TX
A 4 - 5K 5th wheel. That is sure a small and lite 5er. You sure about your numbers. If that's the real numbers, you won't have any problem pulling that with that 7.3 in OD. I'd check your weight numbers though. There aren't very many 5ers out there that light.
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Laughing Gas
Joined: Aug 2005
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From: Drain Oregon and Sacramen
make sure your tranny is filled with a 100% synthetic fluid and don't worry about the rest. If it gegins to shift back and forth then drop out of od but otherwise go for it! 5K, a cake walk
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New User
Joined: Sep 2007
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Thanks for the replys guys, makes me feel much better. I'll double check the wieght rating but I'm pretty sure the stcker I looked at on the rv gave it a 6600 gvwr, minus the usual stuff puts the rv between the #s. This ? was so I learn from my mistakes... when I picked up the rv just outside of Davenport IA, I had good info you could tow in OD but what I didn't know was not up and down hills. I found out after the first day there was a nice tranny spray coat under the truck. When I returned home and had it looked at, well, lets just say it was a $3700 mistake. Live and learn the hard way. Thanks again.
Senior User
Joined: Jul 2004
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I tow a four horse trailer with my 2000 F 350 sc 7.3 4wd auto srw. The trailer weighs almost 18,000 pounds and I tow in overdrive. I almost never lock od out. Only when pulling in strong head winds and THE TRUCK SHIFTS A LOT will I lock out od. I also tow a hay trailer a lot in the summer time and it holds 8 bales that weigh 1525 pounds to 1750 pounds a piece. These loads average around 25,000 pound plus which counts the truck, trailer, and hay. I have the tranny fluid and filter changed every 25,000 to 30,000 including the torque converter. When pulling the horse trailer I get 10 miles to a gallon. Empty I get about 18 plus. I have the 3.73 rear end.
Lead Driver
Joined: Sep 2003
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From: Albuquerque
Originally Posted by Cannonball02
I am getting about 260-280miles out a tank when towing the rv, is that normal?
biz
Laughing Gas
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 1,156
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From: Drain Oregon and Sacramen
Originally Posted by tazer
I tow a four horse trailer with my 2000 F 350 sc 7.3 4wd auto srw. The trailer weighs almost 18,000 pounds and I tow in overdrive. I almost never lock od out. Only when pulling in strong head winds and THE TRUCK SHIFTS A LOT will I lock out od. I also tow a hay trailer a lot in the summer time and it holds 8 bales that weigh 1525 pounds to 1750 pounds a piece. These loads average around 25,000 pound plus which counts the truck, trailer, and hay. I have the tranny fluid and filter changed every 25,000 to 30,000 including the torque converter. When pulling the horse trailer I get 10 miles to a gallon. Empty I get about 18 plus. I have the 3.73 rear end.