Ford/Truck/Towing?

[94fordguy]

If the tranny constantly keeps downshifting, you are absolutely correct...........

If the tranny stays in OD it does no harm to the transmission. It is the constant downshifting under heavy load that will stress the fluids and overall system.

That is as B as in B as S as in S.

Towing in overdrive is just fine as long as it's not hunting for a gear and your trany temps aren't out of hand. Been doing it for years in every vehicle I have owned. If it's constantly hunting or in and out of OD, then I take it out of overdrive until it's either flatter, less windy or whatever was causing it.

What they said^^^

I have over 182,000 miles on my E40D and it still works great for towing, never have a second thought about towing in overdrive. Just lock it out if it starts to "search", and put it back when your past the problem area.

 

[Kong]

RE: Towing in OD. The selector options are different on various models BUT you need to watch for the torque converter locking and unlocking as well as the trans shifting. The torque converter lock feature will really overheat the fluid.

Many trucks like 5 and six speeds will not unlock out the torque converter locking in the first two higher gears, not just the OD position.

The 04 and newer are the way to go based on your information, IMHO

 

[AZ800]

Have had about every model of Triton engine since they came out in '96 (company trucks).
Current truck is an 05 F150, 5.4, 3.73's. It tows as good as any small block gasser I've seen. 454's, 8.1's, V-10s obviously have more power.
The truck does fine towing the ski boat or 2 place enclosed sled trailer.
Pulled a big Bobcat home with it, 8-9k lbs incl trlr and it would maintain 60-65mph up hill at 7kft elev, but she was pegged in 2nd gear.
Over all, I've had great luck with the Ford Tritons, put prolly close to 500k mi on them in the last 12yrs with no unexpected breakdowns.
My 05 however, puked a couple injectors when it was new, but at 70k mi now, it's been fine ever since.
The other problem, is the TQ converter is developing a nasty shudder lately. First time I've had issues w/ a Ford trans under 100k mi though.