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Ford F-Series Towing Questions

41 messages,  Last post on Nov 24, 2009 at 7:39 PM

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What is this discussion about? Ford F-150, Ford F-250 Super Duty, Ford F-350 Super Duty, Towing, Truck

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#20 of 41 Re: Thanks for the comeback [seamule51] by wpalkowski Dec 16, 2006 (11:01 am)
Replying to: seamule51 (Dec 16, 2006 9:15 am) Here's another site that might help you decode what's on your truck   Ford VIN Decoder   You can also look on the cover of the rear differential. There may be a coppery-colored tag hanging on it with the code # for axle ratio stamped on it.
#21 of 41 F-150 Auto Transmission Towing in Overdrive by lylet Jan 28, 2007 (11:03 pm)
#22 of 41 F-150 Auto Transmission Towing in Overdrive by lylet Oct 30, 2006 (12:27 pm)
Does anyone have any information about towing in or out of OD. I have heard that towing with the OD on might not be a good thing on the transmission. Comments please. Replies to this message: wpalkowski (Oct 31, 2006 3:08 am) lylet (Nov 01, 2006 3:54 pm)
#23 of 41 Re: F-150 Auto Transmission Towing in Overdrive [lylet] by wpalkowski Oct 31, 2006 (3:08 am)
Replying to: lylet (Oct 30, 2006 12:27 pm) When towing, heat is the number one enemy of your transmission. If the transmission has to keep shifting repeatedly, it'll cause heat buildup. Too much heat for too long degrades the transmission fluid and over time the tranny will fail.   If you're towing a light load, and you're on relatively flat land, or small rolling hills, you can tow in O.D. If the tranny stays in OD almost continually and doesn't keep searching back and forth between OD and 3rd (or 4th) gear then you're okay to use overdrive.    However, if you've towing heavy and each time you want to go 2 mph faster, the tranny drops out of O.D., or if you're trying to climb a hill and the tranny can't make up it's mind what gear to stay in every 30 seconds, then you're much better off locking it out of O.D.    Same goes with regular gears too. If you're pulling a load and climbing a big hill and the tranny's searching between 3rd and 4th. Downshift to 3rd and keep it there for the duration of the climb. You may go a bit slower, but the tranny is spinning faster, slipping less, and able to dissipate heat much better.   If you tow a lot there's a couple of good investments you can make. First -- transmission temperature gauge. You'll acutally be able to track how hot tranny gets pulling a hill. Basically, you don't want your tranny fluid to exceed about 225 degrees for more than a couple of minutes and the fluid looses its friction modifiers and you start eating up the tranny. If you overheat the tranny, it's adviseable to replace your fluid with in a realtive short time to save your self a much costlier repare later on, Other investment is a supplmental transmission cooler - allows you to dump that excess towing heat quicker than stock, and as a result tranny doesn't heat up anywhere near as bad on a tough pull. You've only got an F150, so you shouldm't be towing a skid steer or 12K lb, 5th wheel trailer, but still even with the lighter loads you should be aware of how you're using and/or abusing your transmission. Replies to this message: lylet (Nov 01, 2006 3:54 pm)
#24 of 41 Re: F-150 Auto Transmission Towing in Overdrive [wpalkowski] by lylet Nov 01, 2006 (3:54 pm)
Replying to: wpalkowski (Oct 31, 2006 3:08 am) Thanks for the suggestions
#25 of 41 towing w/f150 in OD by fish12 Nov 04, 2006 (7:54 am)
i tow a 15' boat to fla. every fall 1500 miles each way.As #2 stated,if it is a flat drive and the tranny is not shifting all the time then OD is ok.i drive it at 75-80 the entire way and no problems.i even averaged 14-15 MPG.
#27 of 41 Super Duty History. by mschmal Jun 01, 2007 (11:35 am)
Prior to the 05 Superduty, Ford had 3 truck frames. F-150, F-250/350 and F-450/550.   Obviously this was expensive so for 2005, they put the F-250/350 on the F-450/550 frame with lower rated springs and axles. Hence the increase in towing capacity.   Mark.
#28 of 41 Best 1 ton dually diesel for pulling heavy rv by bulldog6 Dec 18, 2007 (5:35 am)
Trying to figure out which 1 ton diesel dually Dodge or Ford is the best for pulling a heavy rv. Any information on vehicles would be appreciated. Stick or automatic. Replies to this message: mschmal (Dec 23, 2007 8:29 pm)
#29 of 41 Re: Best 1 ton dually diesel for pulling heavy rv [bulldog6] by mschmal Dec 23, 2007 (8:29 pm)
Replying to: bulldog6 (Dec 18, 2007 5:35 am) Are you kidding? You obviously have not done a test drive yet. hehehe Drive the Dodge first. The F-350 makes the Dodge seem like a 30 yo work truck.   Also always use automatic for towing. The clutch is a weak link.   Mark

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