Using a 2011 Ford F150 as a tow truck???

Thank you for the input. You all have been a lot of help. We just bought a 240MK Laredo made by Keystone. On the way home I noticed that as we went through the rolling hills that we kept going in and out of 6th gear so I locked out the 6th gear. Just wanted your input to see if I was doing it right. Thanks again.

APT wrote:
Tow/Haul lock out 6th gear is what I recommend and do with my similar power and weight combo.

Unless I've got a good tail wind and I'm on driving on fairly level terrain, I also put it in tow/haul and lock out 6th. If I do have a tail wind I check to see if it moves a lot between 5th and 6th and if it stays consistently in 6th I don't lock it out.

Dave H M wrote:
Actually, I am not sure if my trans technically has an "over drive".


I have heard "rumors" that the top two in the 6 speed ford are over driven. I don't know though.

Yes Dave, 5th and 6th are overdrive.

I also lockout 6th when running thru the rolling hills but out on the flats it is 6th gear and cruise control all the way.

I have a 2013 Ecoboost and lock out 6th gear when towing. It bumped me 1.5mpg from when I didn't lock it out.

Actually, I am not sure if my trans technically has an "over drive".


I have heard "rumors" that the top two in the 6 speed ford are over driven. I don't know though.

Interesting about the different transmissions. My 2008 F250 has the 5 speed Torq-shift transmission. I can't "lock out" over drive, but in Tow/Haul mode the truck won't shift into it until cruising on long, flat stretches of road.

Actually, I am not sure if my trans technically has an "over drive".

Same drive train and similar wt. trailer. Sometimes i lock out 6th depending on the terrain and the speed I want to travel. The tow mode seems to be pretty good at knowing which gear will work best.

MitchF150 wrote:
Regardless of the engine or even the gear ratio, if the trans shifts in and out of 6th to 5th a lot, I lock out 6th.. Depends on the road, wind, speed limit, etc..

And I've got the EB and 3.73 gears and only towing a #5000 TT...

I did the same thing with my old 97 F150 towing the same TT and locking or not locking out OD (E4OD trans).

So, as I said, for me, it just depends... ;)

Mitch

I run my Ford the same way. It is a 250 thought with 4.30 diffy. Kinda same boat since I tow 11.5K. I just do not like all that commotion under the hood with tow haul. I personally like being a little more in control myself.

baitboy wrote:
6200 lb. TT, 26 1/2 ft long. This is my loaded weight.

I towed a similar TT with my '97 4.6L without a problem. That one was a 4 speed and I just let it do its thing.

I currently tow a 9000lb FW with the same setup as yours except I have the 3.5L. Again, I never lock out 6th gear. I just put it in tow/haul and let it do its thing.

MitchF150 wrote:
Regardless of the engine or even the gear ratio, if the trans shifts in and out of 6th to 5th a lot, I lock out 6th.. Depends on the road, wind, speed limit, etc..

And I've got the EB and 3.73 gears and only towing a #5000 TT...

So, as I said, for me, it just depends... ;)

Mitch

That's what I do also.