Shift! **** You Shift!
I have a 2013 Ford F150 5L V8 Long box extended cab 4x4. I was towing a 1999 Rockwood Ultralight 24' travel trailer. The thing doesn't even weigh 3000 lbs. There was this magical speed where on the...
Forum Discussion
Turtle n Peeps wrote:swimmer_spe wrote:
So, here are my thoughts as to why it annoys me.
1) Why is it that when I press the Tow/Haul button the computer does not automatically lock out the top gear? If what everyone is saying is true, than that button should lock it out to prevent damage to the transmission.
2) Eventually I plan to buy either a 250 or a 2500. These would have manual transmissions (I hope), So, in a manual, do you not go into the top gear as well?
3) My truck is rated for 10,000 lbs. Why at 1/3 the capacity do I loose a gear? Would I loose 5th and maybe 4th if I was hauling my max weight?
4) Why was it that 3 years ago I towed a trailer almost double the weight at even faster speeds and it would stay in the top gear? In the summer of 2014, I drove across Canada from Victoria to Sudbury with a 1975 Terry TT 21'. It weighs about 5000 lbs. I was traveling at 110km/hr in Alberta/Saskatchewan/Manitoba. Driving from Toronto to Sudbury with a trailer weighing 3000lbs, It was hunting at 100km/hr. This is why I am concerned. Not because I cannot use the top gear, but because I never had that issue with my heavier one.
5) Who do I slap for a poor designed transmission/computer system.
#1. Because if other people tow different trailers that are more aero it would be silly to lock out 6th gear.
#2. If you buy new and a diesel your only option is a Ram for a manual. If you buy a gas you might or might not have to use 5th gear. Depending on gear ratio or the aero of the trailer and the power that the engine puts out.
#3. Because your truck is also designed to tow without a trailer too. It's very possible depending on the weight and aero of the trailer.
#4. I have no idea? Maybe the other trailer was more aero? Maybe your truck has been losing power? Who knows?
#5. Nobody. It's working as designed. Put a 4.56 gear in the thing if your so set on using 6th all the time. You'll get your wish then for sure. But then you will come on here and talk about fuel mileage......or lack there of :R
The other trailer is a box. This one is more like a wedge. So, it is more areo, and lighter.
The loosing power actually makes some sense. Truck has 177000km on it.
