I have a 2001 F350 Diesel, Single Cab 4x4 Automatic.
I will be towing a 6'x12' trailer tomarrow empty (c.1500lbs) 100 miles then filling it (c.4000lbs) about 200 more miles. My question is tranny related. When traveling on the highway, the truck runs like crap when the O/D is off (tow/haul, button) when I drive regular it drives like a dream. Do I need to shut the tranny haul/tow button on and loose my overdrive for the sake of 5,500lbs? I max out at 18,000lbs towing compacity, when O/D is off.. my truck screams at about 2,500RPM (3,200RPM redline) at 60MPH.

Please let me know.

Jeff

 

With that light of a trailer in that truck I would leave the OD on and not worry about it you'll be fine.

 

Its not a tow haul button. Simply prevents shifting into 4th gear. Unless your stuck in traffic at like 50 and the tranny keeps hunting between 3rd and 4th you can pull full weight in OD.

Adrianspeeder

 

There is no wrong or right answer to this one. It depends.... Try it in OD. If it's not hunting between 3rd and OD, then leave OD on. If it's constantly hunting between 3rd and OD, lock it out.

-Joe

 

And at 65+ with the power of the 7.3L and only 5k lbs, I expect OD to hold just fine.

Adrianspeeder

 

Agreed. I'd be surprised if you notice it much once you're up to speed.

 

Your 7.3 has a 4R100 auto that has a manual lockout for O/D. The new 5-speed Torqueshift trans has a tow/haul button instead that does completely different things. You will probably experience very little if any shifting out of OD once you are up to speed. Diesel is a whole different world than gas. That 7.3 will pull twice that weight up a hill with ease locked up in OD.