Towing in Overdrive...Bad?

[v8merc]

I have a 5000 lb travel trailer I have been towing with my 06 tow package equipped v8 Mountaineer. The owners manual states that you should not tow in o/d. What about if the road is completely flat or I am going downhill? Why let it rev to 3000 rpm at 60mph if you dont need to? Just wondering what everyones thoughts were on this.

 

[ragajungle]

I dunno what transmission is in your truck but, I know after doing extensive reading on it (and it's affects) I wouldn't do it if it is a 5r55e or w (v6)... I am sure that people with the v8 & transmission explorers might wanna chime in...

 

[v8merc]

Its the 6 speed trans..

 

[2000StreetRod]

lugging the engine

According to one of my engine rebuilding books lugging the engine causes the fastest main bearing wear.

 

[Marcus Aurelius]

Having read some of those threads about towing with or without the overdrive gear, I found it best to switch in and out of it when needed. You will be able to tell if your transmission is ready by the feel.

If it is running really rough and not holding it's speed, I would turn off the overdrive. If your on flat roads or highways, I put it in overdrive.

Basically, if the roads have alot of hills, if you need to speed up faster to pass, or if your towing a heavy load, keep the overdive off. If your rpms are high and your on flat roads, use the overdive gear.

Btw, my engine is a 4.0L SOHC V6, so that's what my opinion is based off of.

I'm not sure about the 5.0L V8. Towing will obviously come easier to it, but it still may need some help by turning off the overdrive.

 

[v8merc]

I was thinking the same thing. Dont see where the harm is on a flat or down hill.

 

[thebrakeman]

I'm not sure why some owners manual state to turn it off wheneve you tow, and others advise you to leave it in OD, but turn it off if the trans is "hunting". I like the later approach, in general.

We just bought our '06 Mounty, and we plan to trade in our 3000 lbs popup for a hybrid travel trailer soon (5000-5500 lbs range, loaded weight). The biggest thing that ticks me off is that you can't select 5th gear. Hitting the OD button locks out 5th and 6th. If I could hold 5th, i would lock out 6th whenever I towed. But I don't like the idea of making the engine spin in 4th whenever I'm towing. Around town? Sure, I'll keep the OD off. But once I get on the highway, I expect to use OD unless it's hilly and the trans is jumping around a lot.

Another tip:
Using cruise control while towing will have the trans shifting more than is needed. When towing, unless it's absolutely flat, I keep the cruise off, and use a steady foot. When you see a hill coming, pick up a little extra speed, but not enough to downshift or unlock the convertor. Keep your foot at the same place uphill. If you lose 5mph by the top of the hill, who cares? Half-way up, if you have lost too much speed, lock-out OD and finish the grade. But if you can keep the trans in 6th, and not lugging, that's the goal, and you will get the best fuel economy.