What does everbody else out there do when they are towing with an automatic? I've heard so many different opinions that I get confused. I've always gone by the theory that you can leave it in overdrive as long as it's not jumping in and out of overdrive. Others say that you should never pull anything with the overdrive on. I usually only pull about 2000 lbs. so it usually stays in overdrive without a problem.

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98' F-150, Off Road, Short Box, Blue, 4.6, K&N, Auto, Captain Chairs, Dual Exhaust
Alpine CD Player, (2) 10" Rockford Fosgate Subwoofers and a big ol' Arctic Cat
sticker on the rear sliding window!!!!! Soon to be chipped!!!

 

I've not towed yet but if the tranny isn't "hunting" I would leave it in OD.

 

ZRrcer................You got thr right idea! Any thing heavier would make it "Hunt". Thats the killer> If ever in doubt just turn off the OD and you will be fine.

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97 F-150 4.6 auto, 4x2, 3.55 LS, trailer tow pkg, Air box modification with K&N, Dynomax Super Turbo exhaust.
Oh yeah, it's Oxford White with crome wheels, Legacy shell & custom grill, mlaugh-Meridian, Idaho.

 

Have only had my truck a few months. With my old truck the owners manual was very specific about NOT towing in overdrive. When I got my new F-150 I contacted Ford for an opinion, since the owners manual was not very specific. The Ford rep told me not to tow in overdrive. I currently switch the OD off when towing. The engine runs at higher RPM, but is more responsive to slight throttle changes and the truck seems to perform better. Just my experience

 

I tow 4000 pounds and I must use 3rd(OD off). I have a 3.08 diffrential and in 3rd it is geared exactly where I need it. If I had the 3.55 or 3.73 it would be geared too high in OD and too low in 3rd. The 3.08 is the best diffrential ratio to have for towing. I get the benefit of a taller gear when not towing and the right gearing for towing.

My truck has the 4.6 engine.

 

Zracer,
My owner's manual says to leave it in OD unless it shifts down & up frequently (hunting). I tow 12K pounds in OD

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1999 F-250 XLT Super Duty Crew Cab Long Bed
V-10, Automatic 4R100, 4.30 Limited Slip.
GVW = 6700# Towing Capacity = 13,300#
4 Wheel ABS disks + Reese 15K hitch
Dark Hunter Green. Ford Running Boards.
Grey Rhino-Liner. Captain's Chairs. CD+Tape
Polished Stainless Steel Wheel-well Molding http://members.home.net/jchartier/jnctrk.html

 

LarryS: How does your truck pull on steep hills? I know that you would get better mileage. I was just curious if your truck shifts alot on hills. A Big no-no in my book!

 

Pastmaster,

I live in the Houston area and there are no hills where I tow. However, we do have a lot of overpasses and in 3rd it goes right over them and holds speed without shifting back or unlocking the converter. Now OD is a different story. It will barely pull my 4000 trailer in OD on level road.

 

JerryS: Thanks for the reply. I have 3:55 gears in my 1993 F-150, When I drive to the Texas Panhandle going over hills my truck tends to shift downand up alot, I know that I can cancel Od which is what I do. I have driven a 1993 F-350 Diesel/E4od and 4:10 gears on the same stretch of road, and it doesn't ever shift out of gear. I guess it makes a difference in rear ends. I know that a 3:08 gets a heck of a lot better mpg than a 3:55 does too.

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Thanks!

1993 F-150 302/e4od/355 Limited slip. dual exhuast w/o mufflers,2 1/4" pipes with Echo Tips, headers, accel plugs/wires(8.6mm)/rotor/cap, hypertech powermodule, NEED INFO ON BLASTER COILS Alpine cd player and Pioneer speakers.(Front, need info on rears)

1989 F-150 XLT 4x4 302/aod true duals with turbo mufflers, 30X9.50" wild country tires, 3:55 gears w/LS(want after market LS for front)

 

Pastmaster, I have a 93 150 302 with E4OD and 4.10 rearend. I tow about 4000 as well, I wish I had a 351 maybe a tranny spanking is what I need. My mileage sucks around town but I have dual tanks (yea!)

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93' 150 excab
302 E4OD
8.8 4.10 rear, dana fr diff
more towing then 4x

 

Larry S,

Are you sure you have the 4.6l and not the 4.2L? That sure seems a little odd for the 4.6 to barely tow 4000lbs!

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Fast46Triton

1999 Ford F150 XLT Supercab, Shortbed, 4x2, 4 wheel disc brakes/4 wheel Anti-Lock Brakes, Cloth Seats, Amazon green, 16" All season tires, Soft Tonneau Cover, CD Player, 4.6 liter Triton V8, 3:55 ls, towing package, 4 speed auto, K&N Airfilter
Future Mods:
1)Superchip
2)Airbox Mod
3)Gibson Exhaust

 

93ExtCab: What size meats do you have on your 93? I would say that you can increase gas mileage with larger tires due to your 4:10 rear end....

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Thanks!

1993 F-150 302/e4od/355 Limited slip. dual exhuast w/o mufflers,2 1/4" pipes with Echo Tips, headers, accel plugs/wires(8.6mm)/rotor/cap, hypertech powermodule,5% dark tint. Alpine cd player and Pioneer speakers. I need to get it Dyno Tested and qtr mile times. And someday Ill get picks!!!!!!!!!

1989 F-150 XLT 4x4 302/aod true duals with turbo mufflers, 30X9.50" wild country tires, 3:55 gears w/LS(want after market LS for front) 3" SuperLift would be nice too!

 

Fast46triton,

Yes I do have a 4.6 V8 engine in my truck and 4000 pounds does put quite a load on this little engine. A bigger engine would be better with this much load. Yes, it does do ok on the highway in 3rd with level road but accellerating is pretty slow.

 

Well when I tow my 3500lb boat to down to Florida I use OD, cause it's down hill right. I use D to pull back home to Georgia, cause it's up hill, right

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2000 F-150 XLT Supercab Flairside 4.2 Auto 3.55 LS axle 255/70R16" Factory CD, Keyless entry, sliding rear window. Slim-Top hard tonneau, Front spoiler, K&N, Lund Interceptor, Kleen wheels

 

LarryS,

How big is your trailer? Could wind resistance be a factor?

Regards

Jean Marc Chartier

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00 F-150 XLT SC Flairside 4x4 4.6 w/5spd
Warn XD9000i, skid plates, Draw tite class III,
Rancho RSX Reflex shocks,
SmittyBilt Nerfs, Borla Cat Back
Modified Air Cleaner Outlet Tube
To Be installed;
Superchips