aguynamedmike

Im taking a trip about 300 miles from the Tacoma WA area east to lake Chelan/ruffus woods brideport. I will be towing a boat with a gross weight of aboiut 1500 lbs 14' runabout with a 50 horse.
My 2000 f150 extended cab 2wd 4.6 is already a pig on gas and Im realy pinching pennies on this fishing trip Thursday.
My question is, when on on flatts and down hill can I use my overdrive while towing soo light? Im only getting about 300-350 miles a tank it seems when not towing. I have a few slight power mods, performance injectors, coil packs, flowmaster exhaust..
Ive left my overdrive on while towing the boat around town here and it was fine but I cant afford to break anything and I cant afford the gas either lol.
Opinions????

bobkyle2

I think you will be fine like that...

ANT2010KR

Like Bob said, you should be fine, you're towing a fairly light boat so you will only lose about 20-30% of your gas mileage as long as you stay off the pedal. Do a good maintenence on the trailer before you leave, fill the tires and make sure you grease the bearings so you get less resistance, it's amazing how much those two things can drain your tank if they are not done.

bobkyle2

I tow my 18 foot fish and ski with a 150hp merc loaded down with fishing equip.. I only lock out the over drive in hills... or windey roads... where im going below like 60... And i have a v6...

dnlow

My 2005 manual states that you should turn off OD if the transmissions is constantly changing gears while towing. So, as long as the transmission is not searching a lot you will be okay. Of course, many people say to always turn off OD when towing. I generally go by what the manual(manufacturer) states, so check your manual for towing recommendations.

mlts22

You should be fine. I do have a few questions/comments:

1: Are you bumper towing? If so, check the tongue weight. You likely are not near the 500 pounds if bumper towing, but it can't hurt to doublecheck.

2: Does the trailer have its own set of brakes? Electric or surge brakes (all U-Hauls use surge brakes.) If electric, do you have a TBC? If no brakes, I'd recommend practicing with the trailer to get used to the extended stopping distance.

bluescrew

You're still coming in around 15 mpg+ depending when you fill it. It's not doing all that bad.

Advice: practice backing up.

Really practical advice: if you can hardly afford the gas...find somewhere closer to fish. If something goes wrong on a shoe string budget (don't forget Murphy's law), you might just find yourself up sh*t creek...though you do have a 50 horse so it might now be so bad

Enjoy the trip, good luck with your angling.

aguynamedmike

Thanks for all the feedback its been a ton of help and comfort.
To answer some ???..
I was a landscape foreman for a # of yrs and am pretty skilled a trailering forword and reverse lol, the SOB who built my house put the driveway slab to the garage at a 30 degree angle to the left and its only 9 feet wide and I get my boat in there first shot everytime.
Im also a Ford convert, my last 2 trucks have been GM and im not used to ford specs or factory recs.
Good advice about the wheel bearings being greased!!
And when I say pinching pennies I mean tent not a hotel, and taking a buddy to split the beer tab lol and that is to save money not because I have none.
I cant wait, I have a tent pitched in the living as I type!
This state is wierd, in the west its 2-3 lbs trophy trout and 40# salmon and over there its 8-10 lbs salmon and 20 lbs trout!
All in all Im pretty impressed with this truck tho, only had it a cpl months now and got all the bugs worked out, blew a p0420 code for awhile until I chased down and changed the performance intake back to stock. now it goes nice.
The fist fulls of wireing under the hood look pretty intimidateing tho..
Thanks again guys. Mike.