Would a 6'x12' U-Haul Toast My Tranny Fluid?

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Old Apr 22, 2006 | 02:32 PM
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Would a 6'x12' U-Haul Toast My Tranny Fluid?

A couple weekends ago, I towed a 6x12 UHaul trailer about 200 miles. I have the aux. tranny cooler and fresh Motorcraft fluid that was changed in December. Would towing that trailer be enough to overheat my tranny? What tranny temps should I be seeing with normal everyday driving?

-Craig
 
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Old Apr 22, 2006 | 02:47 PM
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Since the GVWR of that trailer is 4400 lbs according to Uhauls' website, you should be perfectly fine, providing you didn't overload the trailer.
 
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Old Apr 22, 2006 | 03:04 PM
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That's somewhat reassuring. The reason I'm asking is because I think my front pump seal is leaking. I'm pretty sure it was leaking a little before I towed the trailer, but the tranny shops I've called have asked me if my tranny has overheated recently.

-Craig
 
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Old Apr 22, 2006 | 09:39 PM
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Any other opinions?

-Craig
 
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Old Apr 22, 2006 | 10:41 PM
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If it makes you feel any better, I've towed a 5x8 U-Haul 900 miles from Killeen, Texas to Georgia several times with no transmission problems whatsoever. And that was with a heavy foot, with a lot of forced 4-3 downshifts. You'll be fine.
 
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Old Apr 23, 2006 | 01:43 AM
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Thanks for the reassurance fellas, I appreciate it.

-Craig
 
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Old Apr 23, 2006 | 02:57 AM
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We towed my husbands 1968 Bronco from North Idaho to Valdez, Alaska - a distance of about 2300 miles - with no problems at all. The Bronco weighs about 3800-4000 pounds and was full of miscellaneous stuff. The Alcan highway is rough in places and we had more than a few grades to negotiate. The F150 came through with flying colors, I'm sure yours did too
 
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Old Apr 23, 2006 | 07:17 AM
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Originally Posted by theantiriced
Any other opinions?

-Craig
I towed a 6x12 enclosed trailer with my 06 F150, 5.4, 373 LS, Tow package, Supercab with the trailer loaded with 2 bikes and gear. Not even a hint of problems. I be crusin at 75-80.
 
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Old Apr 23, 2006 | 09:36 AM
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The only way I could see your transmission being overheated from that tow is if it had a problem before and the tow made it worse, or it was shifting in and out of OD and/or locking/unlocking the TC all the time and you did not take it out of OD.
 
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Old Apr 24, 2006 | 02:47 PM
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No problem.

I'm assuming the trailers tires were inflated. ?
 
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Old Apr 24, 2006 | 05:41 PM
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Originally Posted by jward
No problem.

I'm assuming the trailers tires were inflated. ?
Yeah, the tires were the first thing I checked. You never know what you're gonna get when you pick up a U-Haul . . .

-Craig
 
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Old Apr 25, 2006 | 03:36 AM
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Up to 180* would be "normal" for the most part. You might spike up to 210* or a tad more if you were not watching things.... Like backing up a steep driveway, or having to manuever in tight quarters where you are going back and forth a lot. Even going up some steeper grades and the TC runs unlocked for a period of time.

Does the fluid smell burnt? Dark in color? Or is it just leaking?

Mitch
 
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