Towing
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Junior Member
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 1
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From: Granby,Quebec,Canada
Towing
Hello everyone, hopefully next week I will receive my new SuperCrew. (2WD, 5.4l engine, 3.55 axle, 16inch wheels, tow package, 8000 pounds tow rating.) Very soon after the truck arrives, we go for a camping trip, with a 21 foot, relatively light 3500 pounds (loaded) travel trailer. I am wondering, can I use the overdrive gear while pulling ? Roughly, what engine RPM will the truck have at 60MPH, in 4th gear, in 3rd gear ? (please comment about pulling after break-out period). Can I use cruise control in some situations ? (My background: Last year I had major transmission repairs to put on my soon-to-go 92 CrownVictoria(4.6l), I had been pulling the same trailer for 5 years, often in overdrive, using cruise control. I figure the truck transmission is build tougher?) THANKS IN ADVANCE FOR THE INFO !
Senior Member
Joined: Feb 1999
Posts: 461
Likes: 0
From: North Carolina
Yes, the transmission is tougher and with the tow package you get a transmission oil cooler. You can leave it in overdrive and cruise, but if you start going through the mountains areas you might want to drop out of cruise and overdrive.
I pulled about the same load 6 months ago going through Pa, Va and NC. I left mine in overdrive the whole time and the transmission stayed in a lower gear when I went through the mountains. You should be fine with your setup.
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The Truck: 1997 Black F-150 Flareside. Regular Cab ORP and Towing Package
The Mods: K&N Filter, Eurolid Hard Tonneau, Profile Windstream Side Deflectors and Lund X-Terminator Bug Deflector.
The Site:
Triton's 4.6 Liter Web Page
I pulled about the same load 6 months ago going through Pa, Va and NC. I left mine in overdrive the whole time and the transmission stayed in a lower gear when I went through the mountains. You should be fine with your setup.
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The Truck: 1997 Black F-150 Flareside. Regular Cab ORP and Towing Package
The Mods: K&N Filter, Eurolid Hard Tonneau, Profile Windstream Side Deflectors and Lund X-Terminator Bug Deflector.
The Site:
Triton's 4.6 Liter Web Page
Senior Member
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 4,761
Likes: 0
Great suggestions Triton46. Luke, you may also want to vary your speed some during the first 500 miles or so if you can.
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2000 F-150 XL,RC,LB,5.4,4R70W,3.55LS,
4-wheel disc/ABS,Chestnut/Parchment,
Ford bedliner & gas/wheel/spare locks,
3" cold air box modification,Superchip,
Dynomax ultra-flow welded 3" cat-back.
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2000 F-150 XL,RC,LB,5.4,4R70W,3.55LS,
4-wheel disc/ABS,Chestnut/Parchment,
Ford bedliner & gas/wheel/spare locks,
3" cold air box modification,Superchip,
Dynomax ultra-flow welded 3" cat-back.
Senior Member
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 1,628
Likes: 0
From: Clemson SC US of A
Sound like you are fine. Great set up. Make sure you hook up a brake controller. If you start shifting a lot just lock the OD out till you get past the hills causing it. Cruise is fine it it is not causing too much shifting up and down.
My guess is you will be close to or around 2000 RPM at 60. And with OD off (3rd) 2500-2600 maybe. I have 3.73's so I am not sure about yours.
You should think about putting in a tranny temprature guage so you can monitor it. It will help you keep track of the condition and it only cost about $35 to do. Its easy to DIY. There are lots of threads on this. Do a search.
My guess is you will be close to or around 2000 RPM at 60. And with OD off (3rd) 2500-2600 maybe. I have 3.73's so I am not sure about yours.
You should think about putting in a tranny temprature guage so you can monitor it. It will help you keep track of the condition and it only cost about $35 to do. Its easy to DIY. There are lots of threads on this. Do a search.