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08-02-2012, 01:44 AM
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#1
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Member
Join Date: Jul 2012
Location: Northwest Phoenix, AZ
Posts: 56
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To O/D or not to O/D
New to towing and driving with a higher RPM just sounds so....different. Just wanted to ask opinions of whether or not people tow with the overdrive feature turned on or off. I have a 2010 F150 5.4L V.8.....so the "overdrive" is actually a "Tow/Haul" button on the side of the gear shift lever.
Brought a 26RLS home last weekend from the mountains for the first time and I had the "tow/haul" feature engaged (overdrive off) the entire trip home.
Thanks for your thoughts.
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08-02-2012, 03:11 AM
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#2
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: Luray, VA (central Shenandoah Valley of VA)
Posts: 1,430
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Unless cruising on a level flat interstate-like highway, my overdrive is off. But the important thing is to keep your engine from lugging down when pulling hard, as in up a hill. The rpms must stay up in a "normal" range. Lugging down can do severe damage to your engine, particularly to the crankshaft. Thus, just try to listen to your engine, and turn tow/haul off and on as changing conditions warrant. Think of it this way - in riding a bicycle, would you want to go up a steep hill in high gear, or would you downshift to be easier on your legs ? Hope this helps.
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2003 Ford F-350 V-10 Crew Cab 4WD Long Bed
2004 Jayco Designer Medallion 29 RLTS 5th wheel
Bill, Gayle, Teddy (Jack Russell terrier), and Honey (Beagle)
Retired at last !
Nothing is foolproof to a sufficiently talented fool.
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08-02-2012, 06:35 AM
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#3
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2012
Location: Long Island, NY
Posts: 675
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I put the truck on Tow/Haul mode and drive. If I need more power to go up a hill I step on the gas a bit more.
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Thanks,
Brian
TV = 2006 F-350 CC DRW 6.0
TT = 2018 Wildwood 31KQBTS
TT = 2007 Jayco Jay Flight 27bh - SOLD
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08-02-2012, 06:37 AM
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#4
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Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: Myrtle Beach, SC
Posts: 1,261
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i always tow with OD off, then again im pulling with a 6cyl suv.
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08-02-2012, 06:43 AM
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#5
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Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: East Bethel, Minnesota
Posts: 732
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I always tow with overdrive OFF.
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HAPPY CAMPING!! :D
Daryl and Sandy
2013 Eagle 314BDS
2014 Ford F150 Platinum, 4 x 4 Crew Cab with Ecoboost
Equal-i-zer Hitch
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08-02-2012, 06:52 AM
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#6
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: Long Island, NY
Posts: 1,402
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Quote:
Originally Posted by OurJayco
I always tow with overdrive OFF.
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I've always followed the advise of my RV dealer and tow in "tow/haul" mode. I'm also guessing GM included it in the tow package for a reason.
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2018 Jayco 28RLS
2012 F-250 6.2L 3.73
Equalizer Hitch
Yamaha 2400ISHC
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08-02-2012, 07:12 AM
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#7
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Junior Member
Join Date: Jun 2012
Location: Fulltiming...currently in NY.
Posts: 23
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O/d and tow/haul are not the same things on the newer Fords. If you have the factory tow package, it also integrates the computer antisway controls, as well as adjusts the shift points. We have towed well over 29k miles towing and always have it enabled.
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08-02-2012, 07:54 AM
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#8
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Eastern Virginia
Posts: 223
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Quote:
Originally Posted by OurJayco
I always tow with overdrive OFF.
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X2
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Joe
2004 F150 SuperCrew Lariat, 5.4L, Max Towing, CIPA Towing Mirrows, Timbren
2006 Jay Flight, 31 BHDS
Reese Strait-Line Dual Cam
Prodigy P2
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08-02-2012, 08:21 AM
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#9
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Moderator Emeritus
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: Michigan
Posts: 9,424
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Rockypointers
snip....... I have a 2010 F150 5.4L V.8.....so the "overdrive" is actually a "Tow/Haul" button on the side of the gear shift lever.........snip
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Check your F150's owners manual to confirm the actual function of "your" Tow/Haul feature. In the case of the Tow/Haul feature on my GM TV, when engaged it will add about 500 rpm to the top of each gear before shifting to the next gear. I do know that there are some Tow/Haul systems tied in to the overdrive gear, but check your manual.
If you find that your transmission is "searching" for gears often, then it's best not to tow in overdrive.
If your F150 5.4L drivetrain's Tow/Haul is strictly for adding RPM to the gear shifting range , IMO always tow with it engaged.
Also, most gas engines will produce some RPM's (within the torque curve) when towing through the mountains, especially when towing a heavy load.
Bob
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2016 GM 2500HD 6.0L/4.10
2018 Jay Flight 24RBS
2002 GM 2500HD 6.0L/4:10 (retired)
2005 Jayco Eagle 278FBS (retired)
1999 Jayco Eagle 246FB (retired)
Reese HP Dual Cam (Strait-Line)
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08-02-2012, 08:23 AM
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#10
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2012
Location: Chicagoland
Posts: 753
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Quote:
Originally Posted by exthemius
O/d and tow/haul are not the same things on the newer Fords. If you have the factory tow package, it also integrates the computer antisway controls, as well as adjusts the shift points. We have towed well over 29k miles towing and always have it enabled.
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Exactly correct. OD and Tow/Haul modes are very different. OD is just the final drive gear and Tow/Haul again adjusts your shift points trying to maintain at least 1500 RPM so the engine and trans will not get hit when you want power and mash the gas. Also in Tow/haul mode the trans will use the engine to help slow the vehicle when coming to a stop.
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2016 Pinnacle 36REQS
2022 Ford F-450 6.7 4x4 CC LB Dually
Mike & Chelle, My kids when they decide to go with us.
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08-02-2012, 09:45 AM
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#11
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Member
Join Date: Jul 2012
Location: Northwest Phoenix, AZ
Posts: 56
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Thanks everyone. Seems to be unanimous. I guess I really showed my ignorance regarding RPMs and engines/trannies. On level surface, I was running between 1800 and 2000 RPMs and 58-62 MPH where I was most comfortable. Sounds like I just have to come to the realization that the engine isn't being "harmed"...it's just doing its job. All these new noises to get used to and trying to find a new "norm". Appreciate all your help!
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08-02-2012, 10:43 AM
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#12
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2012
Location: Chicagoland
Posts: 753
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Eventually, when you get up to cruising speed the trans will hit it's final drive gear and stay there until the computer says so. LOL I use cruise control as much as possible when towing, it makes for the best fuel mileage. And since gas just hit $4.00 here overnight, we need all the help we can get.
__________________
2016 Pinnacle 36REQS
2022 Ford F-450 6.7 4x4 CC LB Dually
Mike & Chelle, My kids when they decide to go with us.
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08-02-2012, 05:13 PM
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#13
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Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: SE Wisconsin
Posts: 455
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I put my truck in drive and hit t/h and exhaust brake buttons and go. The transmission is smart enough to pick a gear.
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1998 Jayco Eagle 302FK (Honda EU3000is)
2016 GMC Sierra Denali 3500HD 4x4 Duramax/Allison
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08-04-2012, 10:17 PM
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#14
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Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: SE Sask.
Posts: 246
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I use a 1997 Suburban and the fellow at the transmission shop told me, "Do NOT pull a trailer in OD. Run it in 3rd." I'll put it in OD if going down a long hill, that's all.
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2012 Jay Feather 197 w/pull-out
1997 GMC Sub 1500 4x4;
or 2015 Ford F150 4x4 SuperCrew EB
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08-05-2012, 09:15 AM
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#15
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Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: Livermore,California
Posts: 375
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old Ford f150......o/d off
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08-05-2012, 10:42 PM
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#16
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Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: North Idaho/Arizona
Posts: 5,446
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One of the problems when towing in OD is that the rpm's are low which results in low line pressure in the transmission. Low line pressure will allow the transmission to slip and over heat the fluid. You may not notice the slipping and over heating but your transmission will let you know when it has had enough.
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2011 Eagle 330RLTS with just about every option.
2017 Silverado 1500 4x4 5.3 with tow package. (no, we don't tow the Jayco with it.)
2018 Surveyor 265RLDS well equipped.
Life in the slow lane is still life.
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08-06-2012, 07:13 AM
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#17
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Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: SE Wisconsin
Posts: 455
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Quote:
Originally Posted by dmax_83
I put my truck in drive and hit t/h and exhaust brake buttons and go. The transmission is smart enough to pick a gear.
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I should clarify my response, my truck is equipped with an Allison trans and both 5th and 6th are O/D. I don't tow fast enough (68mph+) to drop into 6th so my truck stays in 5th, which is still O/D, by default.
When I owned a 1/2 ton, I never towed in O/D.
__________________
1998 Jayco Eagle 302FK (Honda EU3000is)
2016 GMC Sierra Denali 3500HD 4x4 Duramax/Allison
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08-09-2012, 10:39 AM
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#18
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2012
Posts: 195
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I tow with a Buick Rainier and the manual says that it's OK to tow on OD under flat driving conditions, but the guy at the tranny place I use said that it should still be in 3rd. So that's what I do
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08-09-2012, 11:48 AM
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#19
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2012
Location: Peachtree City, Georgia
Posts: 257
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I have the Tow/Haul mode and OD Off. Transmissions are expensive and driving in OD will heat it up and kill it.
My truck performs much much better with OD Off. I'll cruise at about 58-60mph and 2400 rpm. My Hemi loves to run a 2400 rpm .... it's her sweet spot .....
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2012 Ram 2500 Crew Cab 4x4 5.7 Hemi 4.10
2015 Jayco Eagle 284BHBE
2009 Jayco Eagle Super Lite 256RKS
2007 Jayflight 20BH
1997 Fleetwood Cheyenne PUP
1984 Rockwood 1080 - PUP 1969 Coleman PUP
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08-11-2012, 08:16 AM
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#20
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: Fraser Valley British Columbia
Posts: 767
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I do OD off on my F150 it revs way too low in OD at hwy speed.
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2010 Jayco Eagle Superlite 256 RKS
2008 Dodge Ram 3500 Cummins
66 nights in 2016
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