Can I tow 9500lbs in overdrive on the highway? Previous owner said it has to be turned off. Most roads around here are flat, and if I hit a hill I can turn it off. If its gotta be, its gotta be, but I'm using near a third of a tank doing a 30mi delivery.
Thanks,

2wd '96 F250 Mass Air 460 GVWR 8800lb

 

In a word: dont.

 

Read your owner's manual--I bet it says you can tow in OD, because you have the E4OD tranny. If it hunts/won't stay in OD, then turn it off, otherwise, you're fine--the E4OD was Ford's HD tranny for many years, including behind the 7.3L PowerStroke diesel.

Jason

 

First off the Truck does not know if you are towing or not.
You use the same gears to get up to the speed that OD would kick in if you are in OD or not. This is controlled by the computer in the "D" gear selection.

OD is just one more gear above 1 to 1 and you get the coast clutch (no engine braking).
OD is not as safe for towing as you have no engine braking and this has more to do with stopping than anything else.

If your trailer has very good brakes then I would use OD in the flat lands, if not I would not. But I would not use it in hilly/mountainous terrain.

The 460 with a E4OD and 4.10:1 rear end (guessing from fuel used above) should have no problem moving and as I said above the stopping would be my big worry.

((D)) Overdrive

Normal driving position for most highway driving conditions and maximum economy. This position provides all automatic shifts including the application and release of the torque converter clutch.


((D)) Drive -- Transmission Control Switch (TCS) Activated

This position provides all automatic shifts, including the application and release of the torque converter clutch, except for the shift to overdrive. This position can be used when overdrive is not desired, such as when traveling in hilly/mountainous terrain or when going into a strong headwind.

 

Ok... I was just worried about the possibility of the tranny overheating in the high gear. I know for instance the 4r70w has a pretty weak overdrive band, but thats a light duty trans. to begin with. I had heard of problems with the earlier E40D's as far as ruggedness.

 

Tow in OD it says you can in the owners manual. i would invest in a temp guage to see what its doing no matter what gear. i have towed much bigger loads than that in OD. mine has been built though.

 

just use common sense. if the tranny is hunting between gears then stay out of OD.

 

my brother uses o/d pulling around 8k pounds all the time,although he has a 5.4...im not sure which engine is more powerful,but i wouldnt

 

Yes exactly use common sense but just be careful you tow in OD but like other people say if its hunting kickin down out of OD leave it off i have heard mixed opinions about it