I am going to be driving from Dayton, Ohio to Richmond, VA this Thursday to pick up a car. I will be taking the trailer empty there and with car on the way back. I was wondering with the trailer loaded (5,000 -5,500 lbs) should I drive with the OD on the trans turned off? No where in the owners manual did it say?

Thanks for opinions,
Fred
99 Expedition, 4x4, EB, 5.4V8, LLS...

 

Get a copy of the Trailer Towing Guide from your dealer. Its free. It basically says to turn it off if it is hunting a lot. On straight, level roads with a medium load you can leave it on if it is not changing often to increase you mileage and when you find it changing a lot turn it off. With a 5000 pound car plus the weight of the hitch and trailer you are into a moderately heavy load range. And you are obviously going to encounter some hilly terrain so you will be needing to turn it off a lot. Remember your speed (cruise) control will also turn off if there is a 8-12 mph change like going up a hill with this load so be prepared for that if you are using it. Investigate the use of weight distribution systems for this load. You are just into the area where they are helpfull and even nessicary (loads over 5K. Also check to see if you have trailer brakes. They will be required in most states on loads over 5K and you will need a electronic brake controller to operate them. Do you have a tranny cooler? You need one! Cheapest thing you can do for insurance. Good luck and be careful. Get that guide and read it. Good stuff.

------------------
97 F-150 SC Lariat, Styleside, White over Gold, 4.6L (Windsor), Automatic, 3.55 rear end, electronic 4X4, w/ every option of Lariat and ORP packages except the 17" wheels (I even got the OR decals now!) MOD's so far: K&N air box mod, Gibson Super Truck, clear Bugflector II, Leer TSC 600 hard cover, Bridgestone Dueler OWL ATP 265/75 R-16's, TrailMaster Invader N7 shocks, Smittybilt step bars, Ford moulded mud guards, "White-white" head lamps, Cloud Rider Design's SS Grill and bumper opening, Bosch Platinum + 4's, Hayden 30K+ Tranny Cooler,Class III Reece load distributing hitch system, full wiring including trailer battery charging system, Escort Sensor II Brake controller, Superchip

 

The total weight of the car and trailer is around 5,000- 5,500 lbs. I have a factory tranny cooler - it came with the towing package on my 99 Expedition. I went and bought the electric brake controller from the place the trailer is from - that was pretty easy to hook up. I took the trailer out for a test spin and it worked great. I just don't want to end up frying the transmission in my truck. Or hurting it any other way.

Thanks to all who reply!

------------------
1999 Expedition EB, 4x4, 5.4, LLS, K&N with airbox mod, Lund Interceptor Bug Guard, Hooker 3" Chrome tip

 

You will find that you will have to dis-engage the OD with that load, it will save you from over heating the trans fluid, with the trans hunting in and out of OD. I have never driven or towed anything with a exp,

remember to give your self extra room for braking it takes alot longer to slow that load down even with the trl brakes. good luck

------------------
*2000 blk xlt f150
*5.4 4x4 3.55 ls
*sc orp pkg
*tow pkg, 17 inch wheels
*herculiner,remote start
*flowmaster, air box mod
*bfg ko's A.R.E. cap
*sony 10 disc cd player
*k&n air filter
*superchip

****mods to come*********
harley davison hitch reciver plug.
removing stock cab steps& installing westins.

 

I think Steve it correct. The Expy isn't designed to tow a very heavy load. OD would probably not work.
My SuperDuty is built for towing! I tow 12,100# trailer with OD turned ON when the road is reasonably flat. I switch it OFF when traveling in the mountains.
Hopefully your trailer will have electric brakes! They are required in most states whenever the load is over 3000#.
Good Luck.