Ideal V8 rpms when towing?
My F350 SRW 4x4 with 6.2L gas has a 3.73 axle and 18" tires. I carry a 9'6" NL truck camper which puts me at about 11,000lbs total. When cruising at 70mph, I turn 1,800rpms in 6th gear, and 2,300rp...
Forum Discussion
Siletzspey wrote:
When cruising at 70mph, I turn 1,800rpms in 6th gear, and 2,300rpms in 5th gear. On a mild up slope the engine seems fine in 6th at 1,800rpms (e.g. I don't get any odd sound or sensation of lugging).
Is there any thought on what a good rpm is for the engine and transmission when towing a load? With my prior 1997 Ford Expedition, the TOW button would disable the highest gear (OD).
My old E150 was the same way. I would frequently disable OD when approaching a hill so that it would not lug down too low before it kicked down itself.
The newer Ford 6 and 10 speed transmissions are computer controlled and the engine should not lug down too low. I am sure there is a way to manually shift it. If you manually put it in 5th, it is going to stay there forever, even when you slow to a stop, unless you shift it or put it back in full automatic.
