who tows with a 5.0 4x4?
08-05-2014, 02:10 PM
#21
Ford DOES recommend locking out overdrive; and as my truck doesn't have overdrive, about the only thing I CAN do would be to either put it in tow/haul mode, and/or locking out 6th gear.
http://www.ford.com/resources/ford/g...rv&tt_f150.pdf
http://www.ford.com/resources/ford/g...rv&tt_f150.pdf
Driving With An Automatic
Overdrive Transmission
With certain automatic overdrive transmissions,
towing especially in hilly areas may cause
excessive shifting between overdrive and the next
lower gear.
To eliminate this condition and achieve steadier
performance, overdrive can be locked out (see
vehicle Owners Manual)
If excessive shifting does not occur, use overdrive
to optimize fuel economy
Overdrive may also be locked out to obtain
engine braking on downgrades
When available, select Tow/Haul Mode to
automatically eliminate unwanted gear search
and help control vehicle speed when going
downhill
08-05-2014, 02:11 PM
#22
No, it says overdrive CAN be locked out, it also says to see the manual which mentions no such thing. If it's not hunting and it is pulling fine, there is no reason to lock out 6th. (It also says that if it is not shifting excessively that you SHOULD use overdrive to optimize fuel economy). So if anything, they recommend using OD whenever you can (which is pretty much the opposite of recommending that you lock it out as a blanket statement).
In the OP's case, with his 3.55 gears and 35" tires, it is hunting and he probably should lock out 6th.
In the OP's case, with his 3.55 gears and 35" tires, it is hunting and he probably should lock out 6th.
Damn beat me to it.
08-05-2014, 02:47 PM
#23
IT nerd geek DORK NERD
Originally Posted by =11screw50
No, it says overdrive CAN be locked out, it also says to see the manual which mentions no such thing. If it's not hunting and it is pulling fine, there is no reason to lock out 6th. (It also says that if it is not shifting excessively that you SHOULD use overdrive to optimize fuel economy). So if anything, they recommend using OD whenever you can (which is pretty much the opposite of recommending that you lock it out as a blanket statement).
In the OP's case, with his 3.55 gears and 35" tires, it is hunting and he probably should lock out 6th.
In the OP's case, with his 3.55 gears and 35" tires, it is hunting and he probably should lock out 6th.
I live in the Ozarks, and have for the last decade. Therefore, if I tow and DO NOT lock out overdrive (at least 6th) it *WILL* hunt. So I tend to assume it's common sense that if one tows, OD should be locked out, period, because it WILL hunt if I tow. LOL But you're right - if I lived in, say, Iowa or Nebraska, I'd only lock out when it was necessary - when it hunted a bunch.
My attempted point overall was that the manual/towing pamphlets say enough for the average Joe to infer that OD (or 5th/6th if necessary) can and maybe should be locked if someone's having shifting issues with their truck while towing.
Last edited by Kung; 08-05-2014 at 02:52 PM.
08-05-2014, 02:49 PM
#24
IT nerd geek DORK NERD
Yeah, I know - read my response to 11screw50. LOL Basically I live in the Ozarks, and if I tow, OD (or 5th/6th) darn near HAVE to be locked out, or else half of the time I'll be dealing with a severely hunting transmission. But you're right - if I'm towing somewhere where it's nice and flat, I don't lock out OD.
Last edited by Kung; 08-05-2014 at 02:58 PM.
08-05-2014, 02:59 PM
#25
IT nerd geek DORK NERD
Don't worry - I occasionally screw up, and you'll have your chance soon enough. 
For the record, the user manual actually DOES mention using overdrive. (I looked it up. LOL) However, it's completely in the wrong section - it references using it in hilly/sloping terrain, but in reference to 4WD and slippery/sliding roads, which is a completely different issues. Odd, but meh.
For the record, the user manual actually DOES mention using overdrive. (I looked it up. LOL) However, it's completely in the wrong section - it references using it in hilly/sloping terrain, but in reference to 4WD and slippery/sliding roads, which is a completely different issues. Odd, but meh.
Last edited by Kung; 08-05-2014 at 03:05 PM.
08-05-2014, 08:08 PM
#26
Senior Member
ok I just towed 1000 miles with a full truck and my TT weighing in at 8590LBS loaded. I did hills mountains and long flats my 5.0 4x4 with 3:55's never hunted for gears. and I got a average of 12.4 MPG on the life time gage for that trip!
The following users liked this post:
elfiero (08-06-2014)
08-05-2014, 10:51 PM
#27
Senior Member
I just did a 3000 mile trip towing my 5000# travel trailer. Denver to the Oregon coast and back thru Wyoming. Lots of Big mountains. I mainly towed with the tow/haul on but sometimes kicked it off to drop it out of a low gear. I also used the manual shift and sometimes locked out 6th gear.
It felt great cruising at 68 mph most of the time.
It felt great cruising at 68 mph most of the time.
08-06-2014, 07:55 AM
#29
Senior Member
I have a '13 FX4 5.0, 3.55s, 20s, regular tow pkg.(brake controller, etc.), and have put on over 800 miles pulling a 10,000 pound dump trailer(combined total weight: 16,700 pounds). I obviously use t/t mode and locked out 6th gear. I averaged 12.4 mpg and was completely happy with how the truck performed! It was a little slow off the line, but what would you expect? The factory brake controller work magnificently, and the truck seemed to "learn" the weight I was pulling and started to "adapt" the downshifts on braking. If I was going to do this long term, I would have gotten a super duty, but for once in a while this truck works great!
08-06-2014, 08:44 AM
#30
Don't worry - I occasionally screw up, and you'll have your chance soon enough.
For the record, the user manual actually DOES mention using overdrive. (I looked it up. LOL) However, it's completely in the wrong section - it references using it in hilly/sloping terrain, but in reference to 4WD and slippery/sliding roads, which is a completely different issues. Odd, but meh.
For the record, the user manual actually DOES mention using overdrive. (I looked it up. LOL) However, it's completely in the wrong section - it references using it in hilly/sloping terrain, but in reference to 4WD and slippery/sliding roads, which is a completely different issues. Odd, but meh.
