I have a 2005 F150 4x4 xlt supercrew with about 14k mileage. I currently am towing a boat and trailer that combined weighs approximately 3k when fully loaded. My problem is when I am towing in the afternoon, when the outside temp is high, the truck will shift between overdrive, and the top running gear. The truck does not do this in the early hours in the mornings when I am heading toward the boa tramp. I don't think this is correct, b/c I have a close friend that tows a 26 foot TT, and when he's going down the interstate he will turn the OD on and he says that his truck is not shifting like mine. I do have the towing package with the tranny cooler. I am very unhappy with the trucks perfomance when towing. Before the f150 I towed the boat with a Xterra and that little engine did not have this problem. I am thinking I need to take it in to service. Any feedback would be appreciated..

 

It may need a computer update, ie PCM reflash.

the "power" isn't a problem, it's the computer being indecisive that is the culprit.

You may want to mention occasional failed attempts at turning over/starting, and that may help them decide to reflash it under warranty

 

BD ALWAYS TOWED HIS 31' TT WITH OD OFF NOT ON AS YOU STATED THATS WHY ITS DOING THE SHIFT HOEDOWN. READ YOUR MANUEL DUDE. LATE OUT BD.

 

Exactly the case. I was have shifting issues with my Supercrew and when I took it to the dealer for the last service, I told them anbout the tranny issue. Their response was that there was a computer update needed. Once they did the update, problem solved.

 

I always tow with OD turned off. I believe it states that in the manual.

 

i understand that turning the od off is recomended. i am only towing probably less than 4k lbs. and only for a few miles and im only traveling 60mph. i do feel that there is a problem with the truck. i have talked to others with the same truck and they are towing more and its not doing this. thanks for all of the replies and as soon as i can i'll take it in and tell them about the issue.

 

WELL THEN WHAT YOU ARE SAYING IS THAT YOU DO NOT TURN OFF THE OD TO TOW RIGHT? VIOLA--THERES YOUR PROBLEM . OUT LATE. BD

 

Not necessarily. One should tow in OD as long as the transmission does not shift between 3rd and 4th gears or locks/unlocks the torque converter. The owner's manual.

"Use when driving conditions cause excessive shifting from O/D to
other gears. Examples: city traffic, hilly terrain, heavy loads, trailer
towing and when engine braking is required."

If excessive shifting is not happening, use OD. There may be a PCM reflash availbiel to improve, but at some point more power is required and Od will have to be turned off, as you say. 3k pounds doesn't seem like a lot to require 3rd gear.

 

I would expect the tranny to slip in/out of OD with a 3K load on the highway or up a hill. It may be more pronounced in trucks with certain gear ratios. I typically tow with the OD off no matter the size of the load.