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OverDrive or Not?
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Posted by: Vytas---------------------
Conducting a Survey!!!
I have an '02 Excursion with 7.3L PSD. When towing an enclosed trailer with an estimated weight of 3800lbs. Should I be in overdrive on the expressway or tow out of OverDrive. I can understand NOT using OverDrive when starting or in traffic but what about when I am travelling at 65MPH. What do the rest of you guys do. Thanks.
Posted by: Okiewan---------------------
It's been my understanding that as long as it stays in OD, no problem. I could be totally wrong 
.
Posted by: Highbeam---------------------
I agree. The problem begins when the overdrive gear is too high so your truck shifts down to accelerate then kicks back into overdrive and begins to slow until it shifts back down to accelerate. When this happens over and over it tears up your tranny. If the tranny stays in overdrive and/or the downshifts are very spaced out (minutes) then I would recommend staying in overdrive. Especially so in your case with a diesel that makes so much power in the low rpms.
This is a hot topic, one argument is that by staying out of overdrive the engine rpms are up which spins the tranny fluid pump faster and circulates more tranny fluid through the cooler. Another argument is that some older tranny designs allowed more line pressure in lower gears so that the clutches hold tighter.
Refer to your owners manual. That is an expensive vehicle you're driving.
Posted by: Vytas---------------------
The manual states NOT to tow in OD. I went to www.ford-diesel.com to research the topic and seems that the consensus is that OD is OK. One post stated the one manager at the Kentucky plant, SD's and Excursions, said that it is not a problem to tow in OD. Just beware of inclines that could cause the loss of speed and cause cruise control to shut off and or start cycling which could cause problems. I will keep looking and probably run in OD on flat highway. Thanks for the input.
Posted by: KDX220rm---------------------
I have a 14' fully enclosed trailer that weighs 3500 lbs and hauled cargo weighing close to another 1500 and I never had any trouble with my 2000 F250 PSD in overdrive. I did have a 3.73 rearend.
On my 2002 F250 PSD, there is a tranny temp guage. As long as it doesn't get hot, I think you should be ok. Its when the tranny keeps upshifting and downshifting in overdrive is what will kill you.
On my 2000 F250, I would just watch the engine temperature which is directly related to the tranny temp.
Posted by: nikki---------------------
We have a 2000 F250 PSD and a 24' enclosed trailer. We use the tow button when going about 0-60 mph. When going over 60 mph - we let the truck go into OD (unless really hilly - then we leave the tow button on). I even use cruise control with the trailer and in OD when going 70 mph on flat ground (we live in Illinois - there is lots of it!) 85,000 miles and no problems (knock on wood!)
Posted by: 94ruck---------------------
I pulled my 26 foot toybox loaded to the gills (10000#) and used OD on the flat running 70 miles per hour. As soon as it got hilly or the speed decreased we dropped out of OD. Under 4000 # no problem. My truck has the 6 speed manual and I use 6th most times until it gets hilly. I don't have a 4x4 hence the use of my buddies truck.
Posted by: JPIVEY---------------------
No to OD while pulling a trailer, Highbeam is right on the money
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