O.D. towing
Thread Starter
|
Freshman User
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 32
Likes: 0
O.D. towing
ok so after reading all the archives i still don't know which answer suits my situation the best ...
i have a 16 foot aluminum boat (1200 lbs max with gear), and a 5.4l supercrew and going on a 6 hour trip (all flat no hills) do i err on safe side and turn off O.D. and rev at 3200 rpm for 6 hours or turn it on and off as passing and going against wind?
help!
i have a 16 foot aluminum boat (1200 lbs max with gear), and a 5.4l supercrew and going on a 6 hour trip (all flat no hills) do i err on safe side and turn off O.D. and rev at 3200 rpm for 6 hours or turn it on and off as passing and going against wind?
help!
Posting Guru
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 1,673
Likes: 0
From: Chicago Area
O.D. towing
[updated:LAST EDITED ON 18-Jun-02 AT 11:45 AM (EST)]I have a 2001, and went through the decision you are contemplating. My bottom line is: keep it in overdrive unless the engine feels like it's straining (old term: lugging), or you find it irritating when it downshifts frequently.
Its almost always easier on the engine to get some RPM's and thus develop more horsepower, but modern transmissions are pretty good at making this selection and thus maximizing gas mileage and minimizing noise.
MrBSS
Its almost always easier on the engine to get some RPM's and thus develop more horsepower, but modern transmissions are pretty good at making this selection and thus maximizing gas mileage and minimizing noise.
MrBSS
Senior User
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 484
Likes: 1
From: Garden Grove USA
O.D. towing
As a geneal rule, turn off the overdrive when towing. Now, your not towing much weight, so in your case it probably won't make a difference. I have not read the manufacturers recomendations for some of the newer trucks, but when towing, the trans will definately downshift more...overpasses, headwinds, passing, etc...The more a trans shifts the more wear on it. Also it is harder on an engine to lug it than to keep the RPMs up (within the peak torque range). Overall, you will suffer much less wear on a drive train by turning off the OD when towing. You may lose a tad in gas mileage, but your driving a full size truck towing a load...your gas mileage will suffer anyway.
Save your drivetrain.
Save your drivetrain.
Frmr Ford Trans Engr
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 24,704
Likes: 2,626
From: SE Florida
O.D. towing
I totally disagree.
Your truck was designed to tow in overdrive, unless it is frequently shifting in and out of overdrive. It's in the owner's manual. Look it up.
Towing a 1200 pound boat is nothing to the truck. You can tow all day without getting downshifts.
Mark
Your truck was designed to tow in overdrive, unless it is frequently shifting in and out of overdrive. It's in the owner's manual. Look it up.
Towing a 1200 pound boat is nothing to the truck. You can tow all day without getting downshifts.
Mark
Thread Starter
|
Freshman User
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 32
Likes: 0
O.D. towing
i knew i would get the answers here... you people are the best ... a fishin' i will go!
Trending Topics
Junior User
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 53
Likes: 0
From: NY
FTE Stories
Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts
AEV FXL Super Duty - the Super Duty Raptor Ford Doesn't Make
Brett Foote
Lobo Vs Lobo: Proof the F-150 Lobo Should Be Even Lower!
Michael S. Palmer
Ford's 2001 Explorer Sportsman Concept Looks For a New Home
Verdad Gallardo
10 Best Ford Truck Engines We Miss the Most!
Joe Kucinski
2026 Shelby F-150 Off-Road: Better Than a Raptor R?
Brett Foote
2027 Super Duty Carhartt Package First Look: 12 Things You NEED to Know!
Michael S. Palmer
10 Most Surprising 2026 Ford Truck Features!
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 Ford Trucks Coming to Mecum Indy 2026
Brett Foote
5 Best / 5 Worst Ford Truck Wheels of All Time
Joe Kucinski
Senior User
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 287
Likes: 2
O.D. towing
"On the subject".......
I posted a similar question in the Superduty forum and did not get many replies. I an towing about 4000-4500lbs with a 5.4 SD. I try to leave the OD on as much as possible. I lock it out going up long hills and back to OD when I make to the downhill slope. Is this OK?
I posted a similar question in the Superduty forum and did not get many replies. I an towing about 4000-4500lbs with a 5.4 SD. I try to leave the OD on as much as possible. I lock it out going up long hills and back to OD when I make to the downhill slope. Is this OK?
Frmr Ford Trans Engr
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 24,704
Likes: 2,626
From: SE Florida
O.D. towing
>
>>
>>Hope this helps.
>>
>>Jim
> Thanks, yes it does. I know some 1/2 ton trucks are
>recomended for towing with the OD off.
Which 1/2 ton trucks? Ford? All the Ford owner's manuals I've read say to tow in overdrive unless it is shifting frequently.
Mark
>>
>>Hope this helps.
>>
>>Jim
> Thanks, yes it does. I know some 1/2 ton trucks are
>recomended for towing with the OD off.
Which 1/2 ton trucks? Ford? All the Ford owner's manuals I've read say to tow in overdrive unless it is shifting frequently.
Mark
Senior User
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 287
Likes: 2
O.D. towing
>
>Which 1/2 ton trucks? Ford? All the Ford owner's manuals
>I've read say to tow in overdrive unless it is shifting
>frequently.
>
>Mark
Mark, Ihad a 2000 Ram 1500. I never towed with it but if memory serves, the Owners manual saoid to keep it out of OD when towing.
>Which 1/2 ton trucks? Ford? All the Ford owner's manuals
>I've read say to tow in overdrive unless it is shifting
>frequently.
>
>Mark
Mark, Ihad a 2000 Ram 1500. I never towed with it but if memory serves, the Owners manual saoid to keep it out of OD when towing.
Senior User
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 246
Likes: 0
From: Monroe, NC
O.D. towing
[updated:LAST EDITED ON 28-Jun-02 AT 10:21 PM (EST)]That is becase Dodge knows they have crappy transmissions!! The valve body went out on my 2000 durango at 10,000 miles and I had not towed anything with it before it happened. It still shifts funny into overdrive sometimes to this day. Dan
Post Fiend
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 14,947
Likes: 6
From: Topsfield, MA
O.D. towing
As long as you're engine isn't lugging trying to hold speed while in overdrive, you'll be fine. I dont remember seeing if you have a manual or automatic. I'm not that familiar with the newer trucks but if it shifts in and out of gear while in OD, leave it out. Like a previous poster said, its more wear on a tranny to have it shift in and out, as well as being annoying. With 1200lbs i think you'll be fine in OD.
Primary rig is Green Thunder:
95' F-150 XLT 4x4, 302, 5 spd, MSD 6A, Sunroof, CD player with 2 10" subs and some 32" BFG Muds .
Check out my Gallery for a look-see.
Then theres:
99' Mustang GT 4.6L
88' F-250 Superduty 4x4 351/c6
95' Mercury Cougar 4.6L V-8
80' E-350 300/6 with a
3 spd column shifter. Top speed is 65mph, Go Baby Go!
Primary rig is Green Thunder:
95' F-150 XLT 4x4, 302, 5 spd, MSD 6A, Sunroof, CD player with 2 10" subs and some 32" BFG Muds
.Check out my Gallery for a look-see.
Then theres:
99' Mustang GT 4.6L
88' F-250 Superduty 4x4 351/c6
95' Mercury Cougar 4.6L V-8
80' E-350 300/6 with a
3 spd column shifter. Top speed is 65mph, Go Baby Go!
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
bryhan67
1983 - 2012 Ranger & B-Series
4
Feb 26, 2015 06:44 PM
warrior26
Clutch, Transmission, Differential, Axle & Transfer Case
1
Jun 19, 2008 07:40 AM