First time trailer hookup

[Markek]

Going out today to buy ball and hitch for my 2001 Sport Trac and will need to connect a trailer for the first time this weekend.

I read where you should take the overdrive off when towing but is that dependent on the load? I am connecting an open trailer and will be hauling a couple 12' ladders and some scaffolding. Nothing heavy.

Thanks,

Mark

 

[MAS Tequila]

You'll be fine in OD.

I used to pull a 10' enclosed Pace trailer daily with no issues.

MT

 

[wifes2011xlt]

O/D shifts up one more gear at sustained speeds to lower RPMs to improv fuel efficiency, lower noise and promote less wear on the engine. However, the fewer the gears you have to shift through while towing the better for the transmission. I never tow in O/D. I would rather spend more on fuel than have to deal tranny issues but I tow long distance with heavy loads quite frequently so maybe that's just me. With that said, if I were to decide to engage O/D, I would be more concerned about towing distance and traffic conditions (stop/go vs cruising on highway) than the weight of the load itself.

 

[Markek]

My current trip will probably be no more than 60 miles round trip (highway and in town). Sounds like not using O/D is the way to go? The last thing I want is transmission problems.

What about just picking the empty trailer up? O/D or no O/D?

 

[sickwilly]

You can turn off the radio and really pay attention, and it you feel like it is shifting in and out of OD, then you are generating excess heat on the tranny. Although you cringe at the thought of the gas, your drive train is more efficient at higher RPMs because that is where the higher torque levels are -- quite the opposite of a diesel set up.

I just towed a boat 9 hours with the OD off the whole way. You get used to not worrying about max MPG pretty quickly, as if even with OD on we get good gas mileage.

 

[MidnightRebel07]

For speeds below 50mph keep the o/d off then when you get onto the highway turn it back on. I've done thousands of trips hauling and towing with my Trac over the years. City stop and go definitely have it off.

 

[Markek]

Can I assume that the empty trailer is not considered a "load" and I can keep the O/D on?

 

[MidnightRebel07]

You're better off with it off but it won't hurt anything with it on empty. Remember even though it's empty it's still heavy and counts as weight.

 

[429CJ-3X2]

Can I assume that the empty trailer is not considered a "load" and I can keep the O/D on?

It depends somewhat on the size and weight of the trailer. My 5x8 open utility trailer is reasonably light. My dad's, now my brother's, 16' open trailer is a heavy load all by itself.

I pull both a 5x8 open trailer and a 6x12 enclosed trailer with my Sport Tracs. I shift in and out of OD on the go as the terrain varies, both loaded and empty. Actually, I pull the open trailer in OD most of the time when it's empty. If it's reasonably flat, it's in OD. If I'm climbing a long, or steep hill, OD is off.

And sneak up on stops! Even empty, the trailer will cause you to need a lot more distance to stop.

 

[wifes2011xlt]

Can I assume that the empty trailer is not considered a "load" and I can keep the O/D on?

You're kinda over thinking it a bit so curious why you are trying to leave O/D on? May just wanna keep it simple for your first few tugs. Off or on (but suggest off)... pick one.

 

[Markek]

You're kinda over thinking it a bit so curious why you are trying to leave O/D on? May just wanna keep it simple for your first few tugs. Off or on (but suggest off)... pick one.

I guess I might be over thinking it. Never actually knew what O/D was or did until you explained it before. The only other time I ever really tried it (not hauling anything) was on an old Ford Ranger. When I turned it off it just seemed loud and not "normal". Now that I know I can turn it off without any consequences (except for a little gas mileage) I will probably just keep it off whenever the trailer is on it.

 

[OffTrac]

I turn off overdrive as a natural part of starting my truck and putting it in drive since 95% of my driving is in town. If a trailer is connected overdrive is off, period. There's lots of things I've done that hurt gas mileage on this truck; turning off overdrive is hardly the worst of them. Keep it simple.

 

[Markek]

I turn off overdrive as a natural part of starting my truck and putting it in drive since 95% of my driving is in town. If a trailer is connected overdrive is off, period. There's lots of things I've done that hurt gas mileage on this truck; turning off overdrive is hardly the worst of them. Keep it simple.

Sounds like the general consensus and the advice i think i will follow.

Thanks.

 

[Kjhadfield]

Good read, I may have to find and revisit the manual od off switch mod I seen floating around

 

[Markek]

Well, first time trailer hookup went without a hitch, pardon the pun.

Trailer was empty and I only went about 20 or so miles but I couldn't even tell the trailer was attached. Got over my O/D fear and turned it off. Couldn't tell a difference, unlike my old Ford Ranger that was really loud with O/D off.

Tomorrow I load the trailer up (nothing really heavy) and will be on the highway.

Thanks for all the good advice.