Ecoboosters - towing in 6th gear?
09-08-2012, 10:40 AM
#12
I tow a 7200# TT with mine (3.55 gears). Mine will go to 6th fairly easily. But at times, when you go up a slight grade, if you give it enough gas, it will downshift to 5th.
Believe it or not, the truck tries to determine how you are driving. If you keep you foot in the gas, even a little, the truck seems to think you are trying to gain speed and will stay in 5. On the other hand, when you let completely off the gas, it will think you want to slow down (brake) and will stay in 5 to slow you down. You just have to drive it a while and get the feel for it.
There is nothing wrong with your truck. Just give it a chance to learn you and give yourself a chance to learn it.
Believe it or not, the truck tries to determine how you are driving. If you keep you foot in the gas, even a little, the truck seems to think you are trying to gain speed and will stay in 5. On the other hand, when you let completely off the gas, it will think you want to slow down (brake) and will stay in 5 to slow you down. You just have to drive it a while and get the feel for it.
There is nothing wrong with your truck. Just give it a chance to learn you and give yourself a chance to learn it.
09-08-2012, 11:50 AM
#14
Senior Member/Vietnam Vet
When I'm towing, I have too much to think about to worry about what gear the truck is in. I'm making sure I don't get close to the vehicle in front or going too close to the lines or if oncoming traffic is crossing the line, or the line I need to take to make the next turn or whether the gas station I'm coming to has easy in/out with a trailer. It's the truck's job to select the right gear and I don't worry about that part.
09-08-2012, 11:57 AM
#15
When I'm towing, I have too much to think about to worry about what gear the truck is in. I'm making sure I don't get close to the vehicle in front or going too close to the lines or if oncoming traffic is crossing the line, or the line I need to take to make the next turn or whether the gas station I'm coming to has easy in/out with a trailer. It's the truck's job to select the right gear and I don't worry about that part.
09-08-2012, 01:06 PM
#16
hi all, FYI. you only need to bein tow/haul on incline/downhill type stuff on level ground pulling or relatively flat. ford recommend to let the tranny do it thing. tow haul recaps the trans to allow the torque converter to stay locked up and reduce up/downshifts. on level towing my TT ( 6000lb aljo ) I get into 6th at about 60 if I'm on level type terrain.
09-09-2012, 03:36 PM
#18
Senior Member
I lock out 6th with everything that I tow. I pull my 4wheeler and mowing machine to my property on a bi-weekly basis, with a total load of ~3500#. I find my MPG to be higher locking out 6th gear. My truck's instant economy shows ~13mpg in 6th gear and ~14.5mpg in 5th gear. I have a habit of using t/h mode for all towing. I prefer the higher shift points and TC lock up in t/h, makes the truck feel stronger.
