Overdrive question
Thread Starter
|
New User
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
From: South Texas (Canyon Lake)
Overdrive question
My profile shows me as a rookie, but I just rejoined FTE again after being a member for about three years. I sold my 99 F-350 7.3 (246K) back in August of last year. Just could not live without a diesel, so I’ve bought 2000 F-350 dually 7.3 (59K). I rarely pulled anything with the 99 I had, but the one time I did, afterwards the Transmission started leaking fluid from the Torch Converter Cover drain. I pulled a trailer with a car on it about 400 miles with the Overdrive off. After that I noticed every time the truck was parked for any length of time it would start leaking. I bought the 2000 about two weeks ago from an elderly couple with the intention of using it to pull a fifth wheel travel trailer. There are no “mods” done to the truck. Last week I bought a 36 ft. triple axel fifth wheel (13,800 lbs). I pulled it about 400 miles home with the overdrive off. I set the cruise control on 60 mph the whole way. When I got home, I unhooked it and the truck sat for about an hour, I moved the truck, and transmission fluid has leaked out from the same place as the 99 did. I’ve talked with several people and they all say that I can pull the trailer with the overdrive on and it will not hurt the transmission. They say the truck was built for pulling and that I should use the overdrive. They say the only time I should turn it off is when I’m climbing hills or on steep grades. I’m just worried about burning it up. Any advice would be greatly appreciated. <?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com
fficeffice" /><o
></o>
<o> </o>
fficeffice" /><o></o><o
> </o>
Hotshot
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 10,499
Likes: 10
From: Sterling Heights,Mi
I have to ask.. and I hope not to offend, are you sure that it is transfluid??? Check your engine valley. Yes, you can use overdrive, but if she starts hunting, shut it off and run with out until ou hit flat lands. I have found I can run at about 1700-1850 RPM and never come out of overdrive.
Thread Starter
|
New User
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
From: South Texas (Canyon Lake)
No offence taken, yes I’m sure it was transmission fluid. I was running with the OD off at about 2.75 RPM the whole way. <?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-comfficeffice" /><o></o>
fficeffice" /><o></o>
Hook it, I'll pull it.
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 15,037
Likes: 4
From: Grand Lake, La.
I pull in OD all the time, even when I go in the mountains. When the trans needs to shift out of OD it does and I keep on trucking. What was the last thing you did before turning off the truck? Were you backing up to park your trailer on an incline?
Thread Starter
|
New User
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
From: South Texas (Canyon Lake)
How much weight are you pulling? My brother told me the same thing about the Trans. shiftting in and out when it needs to. The last thing I did before turnning off the truck was to back the trailer up, put the jack stands down, unhook the fifth wheel, and then pull the truck up about ten foot. It was on an incline, but not much of one (aprox. 8in.) Thanks for the replies.
Elder User
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 895
Likes: 0
From: Lenhartsville PA
I tow in OD all the time to! Only If I never can get above 45 on some steep long hills do I take it out! But you don't really have to do that! I just hate when it shifts in that what I call stupid gear when the trans. is not locked up! You got to let off alittle to let it shift again and lock up, than go for it!!!
Trending Topics
Hook it, I'll pull it.
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 15,037
Likes: 4
From: Grand Lake, La.
How much weight are you pulling? My brother told me the same thing about the Trans. shiftting in and out when it needs to. The last thing I did before turnning off the truck was to back the trailer up, put the jack stands down, unhook the fifth wheel, and then pull the truck up about ten foot. It was on an incline, but not much of one (aprox. 8in.) Thanks for the replies.
FTE Stories
Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts
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
Ford Super Duty: 5 Things Owners LOVE, 5 Things They LOATHE!
Joe Kucinski
Every 2026 Ford Truck Engine RANKED from WORST to FIRST!
Michael S. Palmer
The Best F-150 Deal of Every Trim Level (XL through Raptor)
Joe Kucinski
Laughing Gas
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 775
Likes: 0
From: Williamston, MI
I pull in OD too. 5th wheel at about 12k lbs. no troubles to speak of. I do monitor gauges closely. Also, I always use 4 low to move around in the yard. It just feels cool to have that power :-)