Pulling a trailer with OD question

[lrlima]

2000 5.0 2wd.

Towing an open utlility trailer (5x8) to go pick up a riding mower and some misc lawn equipment, ladders, etc. I think the mower weighs a bit over 500lbs. So figure another couple hundred lbs, im looking at apprx 750 plus the weight of the trailer (unknown).

The trip is about 5 hours and ill be on a major interstate (I-95) most of the way. On the way there, the trailer is empty and on the way back it will have the items mentioned above.

My question: Do i need to keep overdrive off for the whole trip, or just when I have the stuff on the trailer, or can i leave it on the whole time?

Thinking that a 5 hour trip with the OD off would really hurt fuel economy, but totally willing to pay a little more $$ for gas if i dont hurt the tranny....thanks for any advice.

 

[JW]

Let the vehicle decide. If you find it's shifting out of overdrive a lot on its own, then lock it out. If you do leave it on, proactively turn it off for hills and such. You're not talking about a huge amount of weight; you could carry that much just in passengers alone.

 

[Xplorer82]

i would Never drive on the highway w/OD off. but that is just me.

just drive it Normally. your not pulling a army tank

 

[kert0307]

Let the vehicle decide. If you find it's shifting out of overdrive a lot on its own, then lock it out. If you do leave it on, proactively turn it off for hills and such.

That's what I would do.

 

[BBQ Bandit]

Let the vehicle decide. If you find it's shifting out of overdrive a lot on its own, then lock it out. If you do leave it on, proactively turn it off for hills and such. You're not talking about a huge amount of weight; you could carry that much just in passengers alone.

+2 on the above advice... thee's very little load (approx. 500 lbs - empty ) 10% verses 5,000 lbs load. You should barely notice that little trailer bouncing around empty - which it will.

 

[lrlima]

much thanks on the replies....sounds like a plan.

 

[ash98fordexp]

i tow a empty trailor weighting arouns 1,000 lps for work with mine and i dont turn the od off. when it is loaded it about 2500 -3000 and i still use od on flat areas and when i take hills i turn it off then back on after going over the hills mine doesnt do bad as far as gas goes and i have the 4.0l sohc v6 i think u shold be fins unless u find a really steap grade.. good luck