I can't remember, but I thought I heard someone post about hauling with the overdrive off. Is this right? I have an F250 and am pulling a 2 horse, GN trailer that weighs about 4200 empty and 5500 with one horse plus stuff. I just got the trailer and have hauled short distances with the overdrive on, but will be hauling longer distances this summer. What's the consensus?

 

I was told by dealer to haul/tow with overdrive off. So you are correct. I think this is because when your in 3rd you will be at a higher rpm where your power is more throught engine rather than in like 1500 rpm when in overdrive. Im not sure about this someone will correct me if Im wrong.

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2001 F-150 5.4L trition,
Regular cab with 8' bed
XLT with Black Clearcoat
4x4 3.55 limited slip
factory cab steps
class III tow package
Factory ordered: 12/5
recieved: 2/22

Current Mods: Ford Plastic bedliner, Bug Deflector II

 

At low speeds or if it downshifts constantly, I turn it off.

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2000 F-150 XL, RC, LB, 5.4L, 4R70W, 3.55LS,
Class III tow, Payload #3, & Convenience pkgs.,
4-wheel disc/ABS, Chestnut/Parchment 40/60,
Ford bedliner w/Paintsaver & gas/wheel/spare locks,
K&N F.I.P.K. w/Outwears pre-filter, Superchip,
Dynomax ultra-flow welded 3" cat-back w/ 3" Y-pipe,
Hellwig front & rear anti-sway bars, Rancho RS 9000s,
Mobil 1, K&N oil filter.

 

It depends on conditions.

If you're towing that load on flat land, then OD is ok so long as the transmission isn't hunting for gears.

If you're driving uphill and you find that pressing more on the gas can't keep your speed up without downshifting, that's when you need to turn of OD.

Nothing wrong with towing in OD so long as the transmission isn't downshifting to maintain a steady speed. Check your owner's manual. It's in there.

It's the constant up and down shifting that will destroy the tranny.

 

Like the others said, if you're in OD and the transmission isn't hunting then you're fine. I'm guessing you're talking about an automatic??? And which engine??? I tow in OD with cruise on doing 70mph up the BlueRidge Pkway. And I've still got plenty of power to go faster!!! (I've also added a Superchip)

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2k F250 CC SWB 6 speed 4x2 Diesel XLT Super Duty, Woodland Green
Power Mirrors, 3.73 LS, Captains Chairs, ARE tonneau top, rear privacy glass
TT Pkg, Class IV hitch, sliding rear window, running boards, mud flaps
265/75/16 AS OWL tires, am/fm/cassette/cd, rechargable MagLite
Clarion APA 5240 amp, Memphis speakers:Components front, 5x7 rear, 10"sub
SuperChip, Stepshields, Ventshields on windows, rubber bed mat
rugged liner bedliner on tailgate, quick disconnect jumper cables
unaFORDable (decal on tailgate) Western Diesel Turbo Brake (whoa boy)
Finally gauges!!: Pyrometer & Boost on the A-Pillar mount

 

I concur with Max, Tina and Dennis. If your transmission is downshifting frequently, or if you are having to give it more gas to maintain the same forward speed, take it out of OD. Other than that, it hasn't seemed to bother mine to tow in OD.

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Y2K SD250 SC XLT, 4x4, 5.4L, Auto; SWB; Off Road Pkg; Towing Pkg; Torreador Red; Sliding Back Glass; Tinted Windows

Mods (minor so far):

• Westin step bars (black powdercoat)
• Bugflector II bug shield
• Pendaliner S/R bedliner
• Vent Shade Ventvisors
• GTS Slotted taillight covers
• Ford logo brake light (hitch plug)

Wish List:

• Gibson SS exhaust
• Rolltop bedcover (probably Retrax)
• AirAid or K&N FIPK
• Grill guard

[This message has been edited by JDMnAR (edited 04-03-2001).]

 

Gettin in on this agreeing thing.

OD is OK if not hunting. Right out of the owners manual. Well... not word for word... but the meaning is the same. Trans temps run steady in OD towing if not hunting for gears too. Watch mine all the time and can testify to this.

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2000 F-250 Super Duty, SuperCab XLT, Oxford white with medium grey cloth captains chairs, 5.4L Triton V8 (260 HP - 345 FP Torque version!), 4R100 4 Speed Automatic Transmission, 3.73, 4 wheel ABS, Deluxe Aluminum Wheels, Trailer Towing Package, Telescoping Trailer Towing Mirrors, Class IV Hitch, Reece load distribution system, Escort Sensor II Electronic Brake controller, Sure Stop towing skirt, "Westin" black powder coated step bars, Herculiner bed liner, ISSPRO Tranny Temp Guage, Excursion center console, Ford moulded mud gaurds, K&N Air and Oil filter, Amsoil XL7500 5W-30, Air filter minder, Perma Cool 8" (800 CFM) Tranny Cooler Fan (manualy switched), Deflect-a-Sheild Aluminum Dimond plate Tool Box.

 

Thanks a billion for the responses....I have a 5.4L engine and yes, it's an automatic. I'm now wishing I had a manual, but I didn't know how comfortable it would be to tow and shift at the same time. I've pulled with an manual trans. years ago and always felt like my horse got a rough ride. Anyhow, being in a flat area, I haven't noticed huge shifting problems, but will definitely turn OD off when towing. Thanks again!

 

Be glad you have the auto tranny. The F-150 manual tranny and clutch are weak weak weak. Severely lowers towing capacity of the truck. Not even available with the 5.4L engine, btw.

You can check the tow ratings in your manual. You'd burn out the whimpy clutch with your load. I think you'll like towing with the auto tranny so long as you don't have a long downhill run. Once towed a friends 5,000 lb boat down his mile long driveway and had the tranny in first and still had to use the brakes.

 

Dennis: Kas has an F250 so the manual 5-speed 5.4 was available to him.

 

Oops, I missed that, unless it's the F-250 LD.

 

Hey, y'all, I tow a 7,000 pound boat about 300 miles a week with my 4.6 auto, and as long as it's the kinda-level interstate, I always leave the O/D on. If I'm like in a lot of slow traffic or on a steep hill, I turn it off. I have gone 110,000 miles like this, and I'm still doing okay with it. BTW, why don't I get to haul horses? I want horses just as much as the next guy!

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1997 F150 Lariat Three Door Extended Cab Flareside 4x4, Two tone Pacific Green w/ Harvest Gold, Tan Leather Interior, Ford Premium Sound w/ CD Changer, Lund Solar Visor, Leather Tonneau Bedcover, K&N Air Filter, VentVisors
Wish List: Lund Racer Back Cab Spolier, Lund Shadow Winshield Wiper Cover, Lund Steps, RhinoLiner Spray-In Bedliner, Vortech Super Charger, Brush Guard, Hidden Winch, Lighted Ford Logo, I'll list more when I think of it...

 

the reason you don't get to haul horses is because the horse takes one good look at your boat and says nope, no way, I'm not getting in that thing

 

But it's a big boat, and I'll teach them how to fish!

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1997 F150 Lariat Three Door Extended Cab Flareside 4x4, Two tone Pacific Green w/ Harvest Gold, Tan Leather Interior, Ford Premium Sound w/ CD Changer, Lund Solar Visor, Leather Tonneau Bedcover, K&N Air Filter, VentVisors
Wish List: Lund Racer Back Cab Spolier, Lund Shadow Winshield Wiper Cover, Lund Steps, RhinoLiner Spray-In Bedliner, Vortech Super Charger, Brush Guard, Hidden Winch, Lighted Ford Logo, I'll list more when I think of it...