Transmission fluid and towing

[bryan_1980]

I've heard many conflicting statements on this subject. Is it necessary to change the transmission fluid after every time you tow, lets say, a 3500# trailer? In my case, I had mine changed about 5000 miles ago. I might have to pull a 3500# boat to a lake about 80 miles from where I live. But, if I'm just going to have to change the fluid again, I might reconsider that. I haven't towed many trailers, so just thought I'd pose this question to the towing gurus

 

[manaen]

nope, but yo do want to shorten your change intervals if you tow. probably something like 15 to 20k between changes. Also check the fluid often for darkening and smell, that is a good indicator of fluid life.

If you are worried about your fluid, do you have a heavy duty cooler installed, and a temp gauge? they are both well worth the money for towing anything.

Do you have the V8 or the SOHC setup ?

 

[manaen]

Never mind I jsut notice your SIG...

did you do any of the Ford updates, and shift kit. You may also want to consider an external filter. Before I did all that stuff my tranny was going through fluid (probably beginning to slip) then I did the following

1) Ford tranny updates
2) New EPC Valve
3) Transgo shift kit
4) Temp Gauge
5) HD cooler
6) HD Hydraulic filter
7) Pressure gauge on the filter (just for fun)
8) Line pressure gauge (to be installed when I have time)

some of those were not critical but I did them because I could

 

[manaen]

Oh and dont forget to adjust your bands, very important

 

[aldive]

There is no need to change the ATF after a tow.

Be sure to monitor the tranny temperature and use high end synthetic ATF. The cooler the better.

Good luck ....

 

[bryan_1980]

Thanks for the replies, guys. I didn't think you had to change the fluid after EVERY time you tow, just wanted to make sure. I would seriously consider an external transmission cooler(one of those ones with the neat little fan)if I towed on a regular basis. I haven't done any of the Ford updates or adjusted the bands or anything. I've never had any problems, shifting good and firm so far. I know that this transmission does not like to get hot. As far as the 3500# boat, it'll be a one-time thing only, if it happens at all. Aside from that, the only thing I'll probably tow is a 2000# pop-up. Do you think I might need all of that stuff for that?

 

[manaen]

I would recomend that stuff for any towing situation, in fact I would recomend that stuff, if the truck was just going to climb mountains on a regular basis. The stock tranny setup is just not adequate for cooling on hot and/or heavy use situations.

Remember that the cooler the tranny under normal use the longer it will last. The cost is minimal for all that stuff it is just cheap insurance to keep your tranny shifting good for a long time.

But I guess I am just **** when it comes to my vehicles mechanical condition. I like to know that it is ready to do whatever I ask of it, anytime.

But all that is just a personal choice, if you feel comfortable with the stock setup that's great, just keep checking your fluid, and on the first sign of problems perform the service.

 

[BrooklynBay]

Check your fan clutch, and thermostat to make sure that they are working properly. Install a stacked plate cooler. They are more efficient than a tube & fin cooler. Full synthetic fluid has a broader temperature range compared to semi synthetic Mercon V.

 

[bryan_1980]

Wow, makes you wonder why Ford even bothers to rate it for towing! Of course, other vehicles might have the same problems. My opinion is that if you spend the extra dollars to get a "towing package", it should be able to tow what it's rated to tow without the transmission grenading. Heck, why get the towing package? You could probably do all of what manaen suggests for cheaper than what the factory tow package costs, if you did all the work yourself.

Sorry, just a little frustrating when Ford can't make a transmission designed for a body-on-frame truck, and not have it be able to handle a little towing:scratch:

 

[manaen]

Sorry, just a little frustrating when Ford can't make a transmission designed for a body-on-frame truck, and not have it be able to handle a little towing

I think we are all frustrated with the same thing

Heck, why get the towing package?

good question

It used to be that you would get a larger radiator, and external cooler. Heck some even came with an oil cooler in the towing package. Now all you get is the wiring, hitch, and a dinky little cooler. Transmissions also used to be overdeveloped for the application. I guess they can save some bucks by keeping the design right on the line of acceptable performance for it's use. The 5r55e has some design flaws that will never make it a great transmission, the upgrades only give it a chance to overcome and operate normally. Add to the mix the possibility of heavy duty use (like towing) and now it's just a marginal tranny.


Hey it is frustrating, that is why we do what we can to make it better

 

[bryan_1980]

I'm right there with ya', manaen! That's why forums like this are good. Nothing beats tips and tricks from guys who actually own and drive Explorers.

 

[mawrazen]

My Ex has almost 242K miles (truck not wife).

I towed a 3500# boat 900 miles on the Hwy nonstop from Atlanta to the Poconos in PA and back. I had some serious problems. ATF overheated, especially going up the mountains. It spilled out of the overfill vent and leaked onto the Cat and exhaust (lots of smoke but thankfully no fire)

I Installed a 2nd tranny cooler, but the mod that really made a difference was a 12 VDC Aux fan that I pulled from a Subaru radiator and installed it infront of the stock tranny cooler (only place it would fit). I wired a 12 Volt switch to it and it stopped smoking going up hills when I turned it on.

I have now traveled over 3000 miles pulling the 3500# boat. Stock tranny and V6. The fluid looks good still, But It sounds like I should change it to synthetic.

Towing with your stock setup is good for a short distance, but if there are hills or any Hwy miles I would concider some mods.

 

[bryan_1980]

The electric fan sounds like a great idea. I've always been a fan of those. Copcars have them, and those engines know some heat! I'll probably get them to put in the synthetic Mercon in the next time around, too. Heck here in Dallas, you can sit for 30 minutes or more idling in traffic, in 110-degree temps. That alone will cook a transmission given enough time, towing or not.

By the way, mawrazen. Was that fan a pusher or puller?

 

[manaen]

well I can tell you that after the mods that I did, on the hottest of days this summer (99 in the NE) I was towing a 4500# camper for 200 miles up mountains and as long as I kept the air conditioning off going up the mountains my temp stayed below 190. With the air on it would climb to 209 which is just too close to the upper limit so I am also going to add some additional cooling fans. I'm actually going to a full electric cooling setup to remove the OEM fan. On normal flat/hilly roads the tranny would run at a constant 160 to 180 with the AC on and the truck would have no issues pulling 65 to 70 mph on the highway. All this was done with the OD off of course.

if you get an external cooler be sure to purchase the stacked plate design, they both cool better and flow better.