Towing in O/D
New User
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 5
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From: Sulphur usa
Towing in O/D
I am towing a fiberglass boat of approx. #2500 Can I tow in o/d if on flat ground and the transmission is not shifting in and out of gears alot. I also noticed alot of preignition rattle when pulling up a hill. I was using 87 octane on that trip but put 93 in for the next trip and the rattle seems to have went away. I checked the fuel milage when I refueled and got 16 mpg pulling the boat.
I just bought this truck used. It is a 98 F150 with a 4.6 and a 3.55 rear end. It seems to have had a towing package installed from the factory.
I love this message board it is one of the most informative on the web
Thanks in Advance
Bill
I just bought this truck used. It is a 98 F150 with a 4.6 and a 3.55 rear end. It seems to have had a towing package installed from the factory.
I love this message board it is one of the most informative on the web
Thanks in Advance
Bill
Senior User
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 135
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From: USA
Towing in O/D
Sounds like it would be alright as long as like you said the tranny's not shifting alot up and down. But I would double up at least on visually checking the fluid for discoloration or burnt smell. You said you thought it had the factory towing package, does it have a auxillary tranny cooler? If it doesn't and you do a lot of towing or alot of miles while towing it might be a good idea.
New User
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 3
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Towing in O/D
I have a 97 & 2000 F150, both with 5.4 and 3.55 rears & 17" tires. I had the same question about towing in O/D because a friend with a Dodge found out that Dodge recommends he NOT tow in O/D. My ford book says its OK to tow in OD but if it becomes a nuisance with the transmission shifting back and forth to simply tow in 3rd gear. I sent an email to the Ford Connection web site, they confirmed it is OK to tow in O/D. I tow a 24' camper and with the 5.4 and 3.55 am able to pull most hills in O/D provided I'm at 2000+ RPM (abt 65 MPH).
New User
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 16
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Towing in O/D
i have a 97 w 4.6 and tow a 34'camper which is 7400 lbs from maine to poconos 3 times a year
first thing i did when i got the truck was bought a transmission temp guage so i would know when towing just how hot the tranny was getting.
they say 210 degrees is not good and dammage could accur
i will mostly tow in od and iff i see the temp get up to around 180 ill turn it off.
the trans usually runs around 165 deg .
i had changed stock gears which were 355 to 456 since i run a 36" superswamper.but when i had stock gears i always towed with od on and the tranny did fine and kept cool
i mounted the guage to a piller post guage pod wich is easy to take a peek at while towing works out good whole setup cost me under $100.00
used auto meeter guage with tranny kit .i think they have a web site
good luck with the truck
cadallackjack
first thing i did when i got the truck was bought a transmission temp guage so i would know when towing just how hot the tranny was getting.
they say 210 degrees is not good and dammage could accur
i will mostly tow in od and iff i see the temp get up to around 180 ill turn it off.
the trans usually runs around 165 deg .
i had changed stock gears which were 355 to 456 since i run a 36" superswamper.but when i had stock gears i always towed with od on and the tranny did fine and kept cool
i mounted the guage to a piller post guage pod wich is easy to take a peek at while towing works out good whole setup cost me under $100.00
used auto meeter guage with tranny kit .i think they have a web site
good luck with the truck
cadallackjack
