Questions on towing

[Jackpine]

Mark, I see I did not answer your last question.

I think Bill could optimize your tow tune over the canned one given that you are running on smaller tires and are pulling 4500#. I'm pretty sure the canned tune is set up for somewhat higher weight and perhaps a different effective gear ratio. Even if it's not, Bill will improve on the performance of ANY canned tune if he customizes it for you.

- Jack

[04FX4]

I have read many post about this and most say DO NOT TOW WITH OD ON. I do not tow with OD on, I have also seen people post about tranny troubles when towing with OD on.

[Jackpine]

Originally Posted by 04FX4

I have read many post about this and most say DO NOT TOW WITH OD ON. I do not tow with OD on, I have also seen people post about tranny troubles when towing with OD on.

Peace, my friend! I'm not disagreeing with the substance of what you said. I just pointed out that MY owners manual, at least, did not say to turn the O/D off when towing. And, it doesn't talk about TC unlocking and locking. I simply don't think there are "cut and dried" rules here.

I've not experienced any transmission troubles by letting my transmission tell me what to do. I tried, for a while, towing with the O/D off. It seemed like the engine was revving much too high all the time. I decided to put it back on and things got a lot quieter and the truck seemed to be pulling without effort. Please notice I DO turn it off when hill climbing or hill descending. And, I shift down to 2nd on really steep hills (both ways).

I don't think we're saying much that's different here, and I've really appreciated the input you've given us on this subject.

- Jack

[JWBFX4]

Originally Posted by 04FX4

I have read many post about this and most say DO NOT TOW WITH OD ON. I do not tow with OD on, I have also seen people post about tranny troubles when towing with OD on.

Well I am sure I might be repeating something already said, because I didnt read everything but.

As pointed out earlier...let your tranny tell you whether you need to OD on or off. This is especially easy when you are monitoring comm gear. If you see the TQ locking and unlocking a lot or shifting in and out a lot, you just need to lock it in 3rd OD off.

I don't regularly pull heavy loads, but when I do I keep OD off untill I hit and maintain highway speeds then turn it on. After that I turn it off at all hills and also lock it in 2nd when need be. But its to each his own on the situation.

[white eagle]

I am going to be contrary to popular opinion but I never tow with the od off
most of the time
I tow a 16' tandem axle trailer loaded most of the time with firewood
I have been doing it that way for 130,000 miles now no ill effects

[Longshot270]

Originally Posted by white eagle

I am going to be contrary to popular opinion but I never tow with the od off
most of the time
I tow a 16' tandem axle trailer loaded most of the time with firewood
I have been doing it that way for 130,000 miles now no ill effects

X2 except we have campers and livestock. 3000#s of 2 horses in a heavy dual axle trailer is as light as it gets.

[white eagle]

care to do the math on what a cord and a half of oak firewood weighs ?

[Longshot270]

whew, dont have a clue. I'd guess somewhere around 4000+ depending on how green it is. I know we filled a 20 foot trailer as high as the cab with green cedar posts and hauled it over a 100 miles. We were really glad we had electric brakes and the old power stroke.