Towing in overdrive???
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New User
Joined: Sep 2009
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From: Rochester, Pa
Towing in overdrive???
Leaving Pa for a Southern trip pulling my 28 ft travel trailer. Trailer weighs 7500 lbs. I have a F-150 super crew with 5.4. According to the book I'm good for either 8000 or 9000?? My question is, once on fairly level interstates can I tow in overdrive??? Oh, my trucks an 04 with 52,000 on it.
New User
Joined: Nov 2008
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Do you know the axle ratio? I pull a toyhauler that weighs about 5000 lbs loaded with my 05 screw 4x4 5.4 with 3.73s. If I set the cruise at 60 mph the torque convertor likes to hunt between lock and unlock. It will downshift to 3rd on small hills but I usually just lock it in 3rd to be safe.
Tuned
Joined: Aug 2007
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From: Louisville
There is a OD button you press to prevent your transmission from up-shifting into 4th gear(OD). If you have the coloum shift, the button shoudl be at the end of the lever, if you have the floor shifter, the button will be beside the shift lever.
Senior User
Joined: Aug 2009
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From: Ontario, Canada
With a 7,500lb trailer, I can't imagine your trans would stay in overdrive anyway with the factory Ford tune. These trucks seem to be very sensitive to even the slightest grade for jumping out of O/D. I guess it’s set up this way for longevity purposes, but its sure annoying.
Postmaster
Joined: Sep 2002
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From: None of your business
If it's shifting between 3 and 4 a lot, hit the OD off button to lock it in 3rd. If it seems to be doing fine, run the OD and save some gas not to mention not have the annoyance of the engine pounding away at high RPM the whole time.
Your best bet with that kind of weight is to have a tranny temp gauge installed so you know what's going on in there.
Mike
Your best bet with that kind of weight is to have a tranny temp gauge installed so you know what's going on in there.
Mike
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From: SE Georgia
If it's shifting between 3 and 4 a lot, hit the OD off button to lock it in 3rd. If it seems to be doing fine, run the OD and save some gas not to mention not have the annoyance of the engine pounding away at high RPM the whole time.
Your best bet with that kind of weight is to have a tranny temp gauge installed so you know what's going on in there.
Mike
Your best bet with that kind of weight is to have a tranny temp gauge installed so you know what's going on in there.
Mike
best advice you'll find
Postmaster
Joined: Nov 2004
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From: Marion, VA
I've towed a 25' travel trailer with my truck since it was new and even though it only weighs 4,500 lbs, I never tow in overdrive. The increased engine speed circulates the fluid through the cooler faster and keeps the transmission temp. down. OD will not increase fuel mileage so there is no advantage.
Posting Guru
Joined: Oct 2005
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From: Longwood, Fl
Sounds like you have the E4OD/4R100 or some variant. I have a 93 but I doubt the lockup strategy for the torque converter has changed very much----could be wrong though!
On the earlier models, the converter locked regardless of where your foot is or what you are towing (I tow a 26' cabin type boat on a tri-axle, ~8000#) and my E4OD locks at ~45 MPH regardless of load. I am thinking yours may be just engaging/disengaging OD. Have already been wrong once or twice this year----
I am anxious to try my 07 Expy 6 speed, the top 2 are actually OD gears. X3 on the unlock OD unless possible on absolute flat land or a long downhill (where you dont really need braking). LOL
On the earlier models, the converter locked regardless of where your foot is or what you are towing (I tow a 26' cabin type boat on a tri-axle, ~8000#) and my E4OD locks at ~45 MPH regardless of load. I am thinking yours may be just engaging/disengaging OD. Have already been wrong once or twice this year----
I am anxious to try my 07 Expy 6 speed, the top 2 are actually OD gears. X3 on the unlock OD unless possible on absolute flat land or a long downhill (where you dont really need braking). LOL
Senior User
Joined: Jun 2008
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From: New Jersey
I pull a 30 ft toy hauler and i use both OD and drive... Most on here seen the trailer i pull. I also pull a 18 ft car trailer with anywhere from 2-7 k on it.... I have a few performance parts on my truck witch help.. And the EDGE box is one of them... I can see my trans and engine temp at all times..
Mark
Mark
Senior User
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From: Ontario, Canada
The big question is, how tough is the O/D gear in comparison to the first three forward gears. I've never had a 4R100 apart, but if they're anything like the old AODE/4R70W, the O/D band doesn't hold nearly as much torque or stand up anywhere as well under load in comparison to the forward clutches in the first three gears.
If so, I would hypothesize a guess and say that any extended towing in overdrive is going to shorten the life expectancy of the transmission dramatically.
If so, I would hypothesize a guess and say that any extended towing in overdrive is going to shorten the life expectancy of the transmission dramatically.
Elder User
Joined: Jul 2008
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From: Newport, Wa.
I pull a 25 ft. Airstream that weighs about as much as yours, jpa. I was under the impression that it was best to tow with OD locked out. Then I put in a scanguage II and was able to monitor transmission temp. I found that on level roads it actualy runs cooler in OD than in 3rd. Like the others all say, if it starts to hunt in and out due to a grade or pushing head wind then just lock it out for awhile. Have a good trip.
Posting Guru
Joined: Oct 2005
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From: Longwood, Fl
Oldguy4-----Wifey and I are looking for an airstream---again. Have pulled them before. She wants 31 or bigger, I want 27 or smaller. Pulled a 31 with a 460 van. Is there any indication of lugging in OD? I have the 07 6 speed/3.73 also.
Sorry to wander from the thread!!!
Sorry to wander from the thread!!!