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

[baitboy]

I have a 2011 F150 that I am using as my tow truck and I was wondering if any of you who use the newer F150's as tow truck----do you lock out 6th gear when you are towing?

[Dave_H_M]

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.

[Tvov]

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".

[Mvander]

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.

[Dave_H_M]

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.

[2112]

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.

[EcoBullet]

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.

[APT]

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

[MitchF150]

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

[baitboy]

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

[rhagfo]

What are you towing and how much weight?

[baitboy]

I have the 5L V8, 3.73 rear end with the tow package. Hope that helps.

[trop-a-cal]

What engine?