Hello,

Just curious about how much one should safely be able to tow while still in the overdrive on the automatic transmission?

I have the 4.6 V8 Automatic with a 3.55 axle. I don't have the trailer tow package on my truck, but I have installed an aftermarket "Hidden Hitch" system. The truck itself is rated to pull 7000 lbs based on the transmission/engine size/axle.

If I'm going to pull a large load/trailer I would certainly take the overdrive off. But what if i'm only going to pull a small load (i.e. my tent trailer - under 2000 lbs fully loaded).

Any suggestions as to where one should draw the line? Or, should one simply always take the overdrive off any time you tow?

Thanks,
Mike

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1999 F150 S/C XL w/4.6 V8, Automatic, 3.55 axle, Captains Chairs, Single CD player, XLS Appearance Package and XL Value Group - Oxford White w/Harvest Gold lower.

 

Hi Mike, from my signiture below you can see we have same drivetrain. A couple of months ago I pulled a pontoon (3000lb) with trailer. I never even tried it with over drive. I disabled it right away mainly because I think the thing shifts in and out too much anyway. Its great for constant speed cruising but anything else amounts to alot of slip and shift. Anyway, it towed the load fine in 3rd except it was squatting down in back quite a bit. I had 400 lb in the cab 500lb in bed and am guessing 200 to 300 on the tongue. Braking was a little sluggish. Probably should have had surge breaks.

Good luck!

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99, XL, SC, SB, auto, 4.6L, 255x70R16, 3.55LS, 2wd, Med Tor, Dk Grph, Raider LoRider Tonneau,

More to come!

 

You should be fine towing in OD.. I towed a 4000lb deck boat with my 97 4.6L. I'd add a tranny cooler if you don't have one already. If the tranny starts hunting between OD and D then lock it out until the road levels out.

 

Mike, The real important thing is to get you a tranny oil cooler. I dont tow with my truck in overdrive, in fact most mechanics tell you to tow with overdrive off.

I work for Ford and what I can tell you is the 4.6 is a good motor and with the automatic you can pull pretty good. Just keep the rpms up (about 3,200 to 4,000)when going up hill.

I would never tow 7,000 lbs. for very long. Its too much and it would be Very S L O W.

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97 F-150 4.6 auto, 4x2, 3.55 LS, WMS Velocity tube, K&N, Dynomax Super Turbo exhaust with Echo tube.
Oh yeah, it's Oxford White with crome wheels, Legacy shell & custom grill!

 

V10 is 100% right. It's straight out of the manual.

I'd also add that when you're going up a hill, you'll notice that even though you're mashing more and more on the gas, yet you're slowing down? That's your cue to turn OD off. Don't even wait for it to start hunting.

 

Tiger,
If you ever have to pull that load again get a set of load distribution springs/bars and the corresponding tow bar. It will level you right out. It is amazing how easy it tows when you do this.

Mike,
remember to subtract the tow vehicles load from your trailer tow rating and remember to keep hitch load to 10-15% for level pull and sway control. Use the formula in your owners manual. You will probably find you need to take 1200-1500 pounds or so off that rating. And get that tranny cooler, load distribution system and electronic brake controler if you are up in the mid to high range of this.

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97 F-150 SC Lariat, Styleside, White over Gold, 4.6L (Windsor), Automatic, 3.55 rear end, electronic 4X4, w/ every option of Lariat and ORP packages except the 17" wheels (I even got the OR decals now!) MOD's so far: K&N air box mod, Gibson Super Truck, clear Bugflector II, Leer TSC 600 hard cover, Bridgestone Dueler OWL ATP 265/75 R-16's, TrailMaster Invader N7 shocks, Smittybilt step bars, Ford moulded mud guards, "White-white" head lamps, Cloud Rider Design's SS Grill and bumper opening, Bosch Platinum + 4's, Hayden 30K+ Tranny Cooler,Class III Reece load distributing hitch system, full wiring including trailer battery charging system, Escort Sensor II Brake controller, Superchip

 

The trans changes it programing also when od is turned off it alters sift points , i have towed things in od but only on level roads like highways i also have the tow pkg, it you dont have the tow pkg,.... you should at least get a good trans cooler installed, a trans tempp gauge would be nice also. If you over heat fluid it will destroy the trans in short order, seal, o-ring, and the glue that laminated the friction material together all get ruined by hiogh trans temps, i have rebuilt many A4LD because of this. I worked in a ford dealership, and they would not cover this under warranty. They called it owner abuse.

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2000 blk xlt f150 sc 4x4 orp pkg 5.4 3.55 ls tow pkg flowmaster BFG all terrians ko's (stupid ats went out of round with less than 4000 miles on them )muffler air box mod herculiner ,sony 10 disc cd-player A.R.E. cap remote start