towing in OD
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Joined: Nov 2001
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From: Marion, IN
towing in OD
I have a 97 4x4 F150 4.6 auto ORP with 3.55LS. I have a 6x12 eclosed trailer that I haul my race bikes and gear in. I would say loaded I am around 2000-2200 lbs. My dad has told me not to use OD at all when I am pulling the trailer, but on the interstate I am running well over 3,000 RPMs, I hate running it that hard and especially hate the frequent trips to the gas pump....would it be OK to use OD for highway driving? If it matters, I do believe I have the towpackage, but I am not positive, the previous owner left the receiver on but cut off the damn plug...so I just wired a flat four. Thanks
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Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 4,506
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From: Puyallup, WA
IMO, it's ok to tow in OD as long as the tranny is not trying to shift back and forth between 3rd and OD within a few minutes of each other....... This also assumes you have a tranny cooler. It'll be up front on the lower passenger side of the grill.
I'll let it go into OD when I tow my travel trailer that weighs around #4500 when it can. I do find that my truck likes it in 3rd more then it does in OD anyway. I only go around 60 mph and my rpms are only around 2500, so I don't feel like the pistions are going to launch themselves or anything
Really, the only time I can hold OD for any length of time is when I'm on pretty flat road, no head wind and no people in front of me!
But I've got a lot of wind drag to overcome with my TT. I don't have a canapy, so the front of my trailer is just like having two pieces of 4x8 plywood standing straight up!
With a utility trailer, you should not have as much wind resistence to contend with, so you should do better.
Good Luck!
I'll let it go into OD when I tow my travel trailer that weighs around #4500 when it can. I do find that my truck likes it in 3rd more then it does in OD anyway. I only go around 60 mph and my rpms are only around 2500, so I don't feel like the pistions are going to launch themselves or anything
Really, the only time I can hold OD for any length of time is when I'm on pretty flat road, no head wind and no people in front of me!
But I've got a lot of wind drag to overcome with my TT. I don't have a canapy, so the front of my trailer is just like having two pieces of 4x8 plywood standing straight up!
With a utility trailer, you should not have as much wind resistence to contend with, so you should do better.
Good Luck!
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Joined: Mar 2002
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From: NH
I would add to what MitchF150 stated about "a tranny cooler. It'll be up front on the lower passenger side of the grill."
Don't forget you will already have a cooler up front for the power steering, at least my 01 F150 does. So if I am correct if you have the tranny cooler you should have two coolers mounted in front by the raditor. Someone correct me if I am wrong.
Don't forget you will already have a cooler up front for the power steering, at least my 01 F150 does. So if I am correct if you have the tranny cooler you should have two coolers mounted in front by the raditor. Someone correct me if I am wrong.
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Joined: Sep 1998
Posts: 213
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From: Las Vegas, Nevada (originally from Kearny, New Jersey)
If you search the board you'll see this has been discussed many a time. Most will agree (I said most) that it's fine on flat land (no hills) and as long as it doesn't keep hunting for the right gear. I towed my 5K travel trailer with no problems like this.