I have a 2000 F150, 5.4 Automatic. 185,000 miles, The transmission acts completly normal in all conditions except if you go from a complete stop and try to start in 2nd gear. It seems to take a lot of throttle to get the truck moving. More than I would think would be required. In 1st and Drive starting is no problem, nor is there any problem with 2nd under normal operating conditions. I can easily apply a little brake and the truck wont pull through
2nd without a lot more throttle. Is this normal? I am tuning it up because I will be hauling a U-haul 1000 miles next weekend and want to make sure it will actually make it. Any experience with this kind of thing is appreciated.

Thanks,

 

That is operating as designed. It's harder to start in 2nd than it is in 1st. I wouldn't recommend starting in 2nd when towing a trailer (or for any other reason, except maybe starting in mud or snow)