Auto Trans Towing Q - Pirate4x4.Com : 4x4 and Off-Road Forum

Mustard Dog · 10-04-2002, 07:36 AM

So we just got a motorhome that we're using to tow the Cruiser that weighs 4490 pounds. The motorhome is a '98, 24' Tioga with the Ford V-10, and I don't know which trans.

I know the rule was that you always towed with the overdrive off. Is that still the deal, or just when climbing grades?

Travis Waldher · 10-04-2002, 07:47 AM

I only tow with OD off. The only time I ever drop it in to OD is when I am doing 75-80mph on very level ground, no head winds.

I also don't let the tranny do the shifting. I'll through it in to 1st, 2nd as needed.

So far a year of towing an 8,000lb Trailer with a 1/2 ton dodge 360 auto and 3.92 gears. I have had no automatic issues. (and yes.. a diesel is in my future someday when I can afford it)

DustyM · 10-04-2002, 09:58 AM

On our 95 Ford F-350 with the auto, I drive with the overdrive ON. I tried it without it and overheated the trans fluid enough were it all puked out. The ford manual says to drive with it on unless, it is hunting for gears. I have drove it over the passes towing the jeep a few times now, and everything is fine. I also put on the biggest trans cooler we could get. I would check the manual just to be sure. (if you have it)

smurfsdad · 10-04-2002, 04:22 PM

I'm with dusty on this one. I put 180,000 miles on a E4OD in a f250 towing a bunch of heavy loads without a problem. Also i changed the fluid and filter every 25,000 miles. I talked to the guy that has the truck now and it made it to 220,000 before the trans

and he didnt service it after he got it.

KS Toy · 10-04-2002, 05:41 PM

I have the V10 in my Excursion and just hauled 7400lbs about 300 miles up & down hills and I too left the OD on. I do have 4:30 gears so that makes some differance.

Bill Collins · 10-04-2002, 07:22 PM

i just put in D on the shifter and go

.my 2001 PS does not have a problem towing 6 or 8k with overdrive on...

The Jerk · 10-04-2002, 10:30 PM

what is all this overdrive shit, buy an old ford, c-6 and laugh

mike · 10-04-2002, 10:37 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Bill Collins
i just put in D on the shifter and go .my 2001 PS does not have a problem towing 6 or 8k with overdrive on...

You got a trans temp guage?

DSI · 10-04-2002, 11:37 PM

Eric...

it's got the ford 4R100, it's the same auto in all teh new Super Duty's V8 V10 and PSD's

i've towed over 20k on my 2k1 V10 truck in OD changed the fluid at 20k, and was going to do it again but traded it in instead

just spend a few bucks and buy a good tranny temp guage (i can get ya some order info if ya want) and don't let it ever get over 190, and change the fluid every 15-20k and she'll be fine...

i jsut towed my double car setup to donner and back, 1800 mile round trip, in OD all the way except when it chose to kick down, and i never saw the tranny break 180...

RE:Todd · 10-05-2002, 07:02 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by DSI

just spend a few bucks and buy a good tranny temp guage (i can get ya some order info if ya want) and don't let it ever get over 190, and change the fluid every 15-20k and she'll be fine...

Info please

.

smurfsdad · 10-05-2002, 07:37 AM

The gauge i had on my auto i got at NAPA. It was mechanical and you just have to drill a hole in the pan and weld a bung on for it. As for temps mine would get up to 260-280 on the really hard pulls for it like hwy 49 between Auburn and Placerville with the gooseneck and 2 rigs on it.

TR · 10-05-2002, 03:06 PM

DAMN 260-280 is WAY to hot for a automatic transmission. im gonna gess that its gonna puke on you any day now.

smurfsdad · 10-05-2002, 05:08 PM

It made it to 220,000 miles, way above average for an E4OD. Quite often the truck, trailer and load were over 30,000 lbs. I was always told 300 degree was when the life started going downhill fast. There were times when it got over 300 but not often. Kinda interesting was with the truck empty with no trailer at high speed (close to 100mph) the trans would go to 250+

DSI · 10-05-2002, 05:34 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by RE:Todd
Info please .

RE:todd you got a chevy, now i gotta do my homework

i have part number's on a posty on my desk for the 4R100!

Mustard Dog · 10-06-2002, 09:14 AM

Thanks alot for the input, it really helped

Lord Baskerville · 10-06-2002, 03:19 PM

This is the best info I have.....
And, I've allways felt that anything over 260 deg. is where ATF starts to break down.

Synthetics are another chart.

Cory

Automatic Transmission Fluid Oxidation
Automatic transmission fluid will provide 100,000 miles of service before oxidation occurs under normal operating temperatures of about 170°F. Above normal operating temperatures, the oxidation rate doubles (useful life of fluid is cut in half) with each 20° increase in temperature.

The approximate life expectancy at various temperatures is as follows:

175°F 100,000 miles
195°F 50,000 miles
212°F 25,000 miles
235°F 12,000 miles
255°F 6,250 miles
275°F 3,000 miles
295°F 1,500 miles
315°F 750 miles
335°F 325 miles
355°F 160 miles
375°F 80 miles
390°F 40 miles
415°F Less than 30 minutes

This information clearly shows why transmission oil coolers and the various maintenance intervals are recommended for severe usage.

Above 300°F, the metals inside the transmission will warp and distort in varying degrees depending on the severity of overheat. Because this damage occurs and fluid life is so seriously impaired, rocking out of snow, mud or sand should never exceed a very few minutes.

TR · 10-06-2002, 03:43 PM

Yup that was the chart i was looking for. thanks.

Bill Collins · 10-06-2002, 07:24 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by mike

You got a trans temp guage?

my truck does not have a tranny guage,but it is the towing package.on some of the big passes in colorado i had to take it out of overdrive to keep it from shifting back and forth....

RE:Todd · 10-06-2002, 08:21 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by DSI

RE:todd you got a chevy, now i gotta do my homework i have part number's on a posty on my desk for the 4R100!

You offered, thanks. It's a 97 C3500 if it helps

.

TR · 10-06-2002, 08:38 PM

so im guessing that it has a 4L80E? also any genaric temp guage will work.

Joe V · 10-16-2002, 06:04 PM

What was or is the purpose of taking the AT out of OD when towing? Is it because the tranny works harder, heats up and in effect reduces it's like expectancy?

Just the other day I towed a 1/2 ton PU on a double axle wood bed trailer with my 92 W250 CTD and kept the OD off, however after dropping off the 1/2 ton PU I felt confident enough to tow an empty trailer back home with the OD on.

SpaceGhost · 10-17-2002, 12:47 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Mustard Dog
So we just got a motorhome that we're using to tow the Cruiser that weighs 4490 pounds. The motorhome is a '98, 24' Tioga with the Ford V-10, and I don't know which trans.

I know the rule was that you always towed with the overdrive off. Is that still the deal, or just when climbing grades?

If the tranny is the e40d/r100 (likely) there is a plug above the pan rail on the drivers side for a gauge. Common aftermarket stuff. Get one and keep tabs on the temps. It's the fluid that cares about temps, and synthetics are superior to dino for this. I ran down the road at 85 with temps in the 170 range, maxing at 185. Amsoil will last a long time at these temps. However Ford has specific instructions NOT to use multi rated fluids in there trannies, the Amsoil and all synthetics I found are multi rated. I've been running it since 3000 miles, along with a transgo shift kit and the gauges. Just clipped 43000 coming back from Farmington at 80+ mph.

Ford suggests using OD with the power strokes and as long as it's not hunting for gears on the road, use it. My trany converter (with stock program) doesn't lock the converter till in OD, they get hot when unlocked. More so when backing up.

10-04-2002, 07:36 AM	#1 (permalink)
Mustard Dog Chubby Chaser Join Date: Oct 2001 Member # 7889 Location: Dumb Island Posts: 13,025	Auto Trans Towing Q So we just got a motorhome that we're using to tow the Cruiser that weighs 4490 pounds. The motorhome is a '98, 24' Tioga with the Ford V-10, and I don't know which trans. I know the rule was that you always towed with the overdrive off. Is that still the deal, or just when climbing grades? __________________ Eric Anderson TIN BENDERS Hendrix XR Chassis #001 Ultra4 #66 4Wheel Parts, Raceline, PSC, Bilstein, Marlin Crawler, Smittybilt, HendriX, PacificFab, G2 Axle, PAC Spring, G&J, MAXXIS Roxy's in the industry and I'm a sponsored professional driver. The two of us together make a powerhouse. Accepting the things I cannot change.

10-04-2002, 07:47 AM	#2 (permalink)
Travis Waldher Pirate4x4 Addict! Join Date: May 2001 Member # 4878 Location: Bremerton, WA Posts: 7,523	Re: Auto Trans Towing Q I only tow with OD off. The only time I ever drop it in to OD is when I am doing 75-80mph on very level ground, no head winds. I also don't let the tranny do the shifting. I'll through it in to 1st, 2nd as needed. So far a year of towing an 8,000lb Trailer with a 1/2 ton dodge 360 auto and 3.92 gears. I have had no automatic issues. (and yes.. a diesel is in my future someday when I can afford it)

10-04-2002, 04:22 PM	#4 (permalink)
smurfsdad Registered User Join Date: Mar 2000 Member # 324 Location: Nevada Posts: 4,005	I'm with dusty on this one. I put 180,000 miles on a E4OD in a f250 towing a bunch of heavy loads without a problem. Also i changed the fluid and filter every 25,000 miles. I talked to the guy that has the truck now and it made it to 220,000 before the trans and he didnt service it after he got it. __________________ Family, Friends, riders and racers, its who we are.

10-04-2002, 07:22 PM	#6 (permalink)
Bill Collins Registered User Join Date: Feb 2000 Member # 163 Location: Village Mills, TX 77663 Posts: 2,629	i just put in D on the shifter and go .my 2001 PS does not have a problem towing 6 or 8k with overdrive on... __________________ 85 runner with some stuff...

10-04-2002, 10:30 PM	#7 (permalink)
The Jerk Registered User Join Date: Feb 2000 Member # 107 Location: Pollock Pines Ca Posts: 14,135	what is all this overdrive shit, buy an old ford, c-6 and laugh __________________ RockZombie:68FJ40 LPG350/sm420/d300/d60/d70

10-04-2002, 09:58 AM	#3 (permalink)
DustyM Registered User Join Date: Jun 2001 Member # 5089 Location: Sultan, Washington Posts: 198	On our 95 Ford F-350 with the auto, I drive with the overdrive ON. I tried it without it and overheated the trans fluid enough were it all puked out. The ford manual says to drive with it on unless, it is hunting for gears. I have drove it over the passes towing the jeep a few times now, and everything is fine. I also put on the biggest trans cooler we could get. I would check the manual just to be sure. (if you have it)

10-04-2002, 05:41 PM	#5 (permalink)
KS Toy Registered User Join Date: Nov 2001 Member # 7938 Location: The Land of OZ... Posts: 3,512	I have the V10 in my Excursion and just hauled 7400lbs about 300 miles up & down hills and I too left the OD on. I do have 4:30 gears so that makes some differance.

10-04-2002, 11:37 PM	#9 (permalink)
DSI Pirate4x4 Addict! Join Date: May 2000 Member # 920 Location: The Land of Debauchery (NV) Posts: 15,129	Eric... it's got the ford 4R100, it's the same auto in all teh new Super Duty's V8 V10 and PSD's i've towed over 20k on my 2k1 V10 truck in OD changed the fluid at 20k, and was going to do it again but traded it in instead just spend a few bucks and buy a good tranny temp guage (i can get ya some order info if ya want) and don't let it ever get over 190, and change the fluid every 15-20k and she'll be fine... i jsut towed my double car setup to donner and back, 1800 mile round trip, in OD all the way except when it chose to kick down, and i never saw the tranny break 180... __________________ Thanks to the companies that make it happen: Bilstein Shock Absorbers, Trail-Gear, Trent Fab, PRP Seats, Raceline Wheels, PSC, MJ Motorsports

10-05-2002, 07:37 AM	#11 (permalink)
smurfsdad Registered User Join Date: Mar 2000 Member # 324 Location: Nevada Posts: 4,005	The gauge i had on my auto i got at NAPA. It was mechanical and you just have to drill a hole in the pan and weld a bung on for it. As for temps mine would get up to 260-280 on the really hard pulls for it like hwy 49 between Auburn and Placerville with the gooseneck and 2 rigs on it. __________________ Family, Friends, riders and racers, its who we are.

10-05-2002, 03:06 PM	#12 (permalink)
TR Zeus of the Sluice Join Date: Jan 2001 Member # 2877 Location: Gordonsville, Va Posts: 3,502	DAMN 260-280 is WAY to hot for a automatic transmission. im gonna gess that its gonna puke on you any day now. __________________ Penn State study finds that heavy drinking is 100% easier than giving a shit

10-05-2002, 05:08 PM	#13 (permalink)
smurfsdad Registered User Join Date: Mar 2000 Member # 324 Location: Nevada Posts: 4,005	It made it to 220,000 miles, way above average for an E4OD. Quite often the truck, trailer and load were over 30,000 lbs. I was always told 300 degree was when the life started going downhill fast. There were times when it got over 300 but not often. Kinda interesting was with the truck empty with no trailer at high speed (close to 100mph) the trans would go to 250+ __________________ Family, Friends, riders and racers, its who we are.

10-06-2002, 09:14 AM	#15 (permalink)
Mustard Dog Chubby Chaser Join Date: Oct 2001 Member # 7889 Location: Dumb Island Posts: 13,025	Thanks alot for the input, it really helped __________________ Eric Anderson TIN BENDERS Hendrix XR Chassis #001 Ultra4 #66 4Wheel Parts, Raceline, PSC, Bilstein, Marlin Crawler, Smittybilt, HendriX, PacificFab, G2 Axle, PAC Spring, G&J, MAXXIS Roxy's in the industry and I'm a sponsored professional driver. The two of us together make a powerhouse. Accepting the things I cannot change.

10-06-2002, 03:19 PM	#16 (permalink)
Lord Baskerville Registered User Join Date: Apr 2000 Member # 582 Location: Rosendale, WI, USA Posts: 679	This is the best info I have..... And, I've allways felt that anything over 260 deg. is where ATF starts to break down. Synthetics are another chart. Cory Automatic Transmission Fluid Oxidation Automatic transmission fluid will provide 100,000 miles of service before oxidation occurs under normal operating temperatures of about 170°F. Above normal operating temperatures, the oxidation rate doubles (useful life of fluid is cut in half) with each 20° increase in temperature. The approximate life expectancy at various temperatures is as follows: 175°F 100,000 miles 195°F 50,000 miles 212°F 25,000 miles 235°F 12,000 miles 255°F 6,250 miles 275°F 3,000 miles 295°F 1,500 miles 315°F 750 miles 335°F 325 miles 355°F 160 miles 375°F 80 miles 390°F 40 miles 415°F Less than 30 minutes This information clearly shows why transmission oil coolers and the various maintenance intervals are recommended for severe usage. Above 300°F, the metals inside the transmission will warp and distort in varying degrees depending on the severity of overheat. Because this damage occurs and fluid life is so seriously impaired, rocking out of snow, mud or sand should never exceed a very few minutes. __________________ FJ-40 HP 2F SM420, 4:88, Locked F&R, 98" WB, Sawsalled, Welded, dented, 36" SX's, 3spd gears in a 4 spd case, Newfields, Lots of other mods all done by Me... Towed to the trail with a 97 Crew cab 4X4 PSD (slightly improved)

10-06-2002, 03:43 PM	#17 (permalink)
TR Zeus of the Sluice Join Date: Jan 2001 Member # 2877 Location: Gordonsville, Va Posts: 3,502	Yup that was the chart i was looking for. thanks. __________________ Penn State study finds that heavy drinking is 100% easier than giving a shit

10-06-2002, 08:38 PM	#20 (permalink)
TR Zeus of the Sluice Join Date: Jan 2001 Member # 2877 Location: Gordonsville, Va Posts: 3,502	so im guessing that it has a 4L80E? also any genaric temp guage will work. __________________ Penn State study finds that heavy drinking is 100% easier than giving a shit

10-16-2002, 06:04 PM	#21 (permalink)
Joe V Registered User Join Date: Nov 2000 Member # 2243 Location: Riverside, CA Posts: 900	What was or is the purpose of taking the AT out of OD when towing? Is it because the tranny works harder, heats up and in effect reduces it's like expectancy? Just the other day I towed a 1/2 ton PU on a double axle wood bed trailer with my 92 W250 CTD and kept the OD off, however after dropping off the 1/2 ton PU I felt confident enough to tow an empty trailer back home with the OD on. __________________ "After all is said and done, a hell of a lot more is said than done." Clark Olmstead

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