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matthewijenkins's avatar
matthewijenkins
Explorer
Mar 31, 2015

Towing with Overdrive Off

Hi,

I just bought my first travel trailer. It's not too big or heavy, a 1970 Fleetwood Wilderness, 16' single axle. My truck, a 97 Ford F250 has plenty of muscle to tow it, and I can hardly tell the difference. However, since I'm new to towing, the guy I bought it from told me to turn the overdrive OFF. He said having it on would "burn up my transmission" but having it off would keep my RPMs slightly higher and cost more diesel, but would be better than ON.

Is he right? I tried it on the way home from the purchase, a two hour drive. It seemed OK but I was missing that higher gear. Also, I won't know until I drive it some more, but it did seem to burn up more diesel than other times.I know there's a lot of info about this on this site but if someone can let me know, I'd greatly appreciate it.

Thx

28 Replies

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  • opnspaces's avatar
    opnspaces
    Navigator III
    Mar 31, 2015
    You might try a few local transmission rebuilders in your area. They can probably tell you if you have a weak overdrive.

    My owners manual (Chevy) says I can tow in overdrive but I generally do not unless it's down hill. I figure the extra $5 in fuel that I waste 4 times a year is far cheaper than a rebuild on a 1996 transmission with 167,000 miles on it
  • pira114's avatar
    pira114
    Explorer II
    Mar 31, 2015
    azdryheat wrote:
    Have you considered referring to your truck's owners manual? Perhaps the engineers who designed your truck have already answered your question.


    You might be surprised. My original owner's manual has very little useful info
  • pira114's avatar
    pira114
    Explorer II
    Mar 31, 2015
    I have a 92 F250. And an 87 Wilderness.

    Under 55, you should turn off OD. Over 55 (sustained cruising speeds) turn on the OD. This is a general rule with or without towing. But that trailer shouldn't give your truck any trouble at all. Even on hills. If you come up to a really steep grade, you may turn off OD, but don't do it at 70+ mph. Slow down a bit first to maybe <65 mph
  • azdryheat's avatar
    azdryheat
    Explorer
    Mar 31, 2015
    Have you considered referring to your truck's owners manual? Perhaps the engineers who designed your truck have already answered your question.
  • mdamerell's avatar
    mdamerell
    Explorer
    Mar 31, 2015
    matthewijenkins wrote:
    Hey thanks. But what do you mean by "hunting" ? Like it keeps switching gears?


    Yes. If the trans can't figure out which gear it wants and keeps shifting back and forth..ie it's hunting for a gear.

    I just put mine in Tow Haul and set the cruise. It will run in OD and downshift as I start up a hill. I pull 12,000#. I diesel pulling that size trailer should a piece of cake for your truck. Your truck may be pre the tow haul feature. When your truck is in OD does the transmission "lock up" to minimize transmission slip? I'd read my owners manual in the towing section to verify things.
  • mdamerell's avatar
    mdamerell
    Explorer
    Mar 31, 2015
    An F250 diesel pulling a 16' TT I would not worry about the overdrive as long as the transmission is not "hunting". If it stays in gear and temps remain normal, I would not worry.

    If it was gas and kept dropping out of OD then I'd be concerned.

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