dupe00
New Bedford, MA
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I have a 2007 Expedition with the 6 speed tranny, i usually tow with the OD off, does anyone tow with it on or have any recommendations from Ford on this?
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kknowlton
Wisconsin Border Country, IL
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Our Explorer's owners manual specifically said to tow with O/D OFF.
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kghenson
Akron, Ohio
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dupe00 wrote:I have a 2007 Expedition with the 6 speed tranny, i usually tow with the OD off, does anyone tow with it on or have any recommendations from Ford on this?
You really need to see what your owners manual says. Mostly they say if it isn't hunting then it is ok, but read your manual.
Somebody that tells you that you should or shouldn't do something based on what they have experienced on thier vehicle may not be your best source of info. LOL
Tell us what your manual said then we can all chime in with how dumb FORD is.
Ken
08 Ford F250 SuperCab Lariet LB 4x4 6.4L Powerstroke
04 299RLS Sprinter
07 Ultra Glide Harley
00 BMW 540I Maroon
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PUCampin
Castaic, California, USA
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I believe it states to turn off OD if the transmission starts hunting. If we are on a long flat stretch with no headwind I will leave OD on, but pretty much any other conditions and the trans starts unlocking the torque converter and hunting, so I lock it out. BTW, 5th is the only gear you can not actually control. Turning OD off locks out both 5th and 6th as they are both OD gears, and 4th is actually slightly less than 1:1. I really like this trans, first is 4.17:1 which for an auto is very low and matched with the 3.73 axle ratio in the tow pkg it makes getting moving very easy.
2007 Expedition EL 4x4 Tow pkg
2006 Pioneer 180CK (No more pucampin!)
Nights in 07  : 4 (But our new kitchen, is SO nice!)
Nights in 08 : 6 (Gotta change that!)
Me DW
DD 6/14/06 DS 11/27/07
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WI_Campers
Waukesha, WI
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kghenson wrote:
Somebody that tells you that you should or shouldn't do something based on what they have experienced on thier vehicle may not be your best source of info. LOL
Isn't that the truth!!! I've seen this same question asked on the Ford boards and everyone has an opinion.
I have a 2008 EL, same generation, same powertrain. From my owner's manual -
****
Driving while you tow
When towing a trailer:
• Keep your speed no faster than 70 mph (112 km/h) during the first 500 miles (800 km) of towing a trailer, and don’t make full throttle starts.
• Turn off the speed control. The speed control may shut off automatically when you are towing on long, steep grades.
• Consult your local motor vehicle speed regulations for towing a trailer.
• To eliminate excessive shifting, use a lower gear. This will also assist in transmission cooling. (For additional information, refer to Driving with a 6-speed automatic transmission in the Driving chapter.
• Anticipate stops and brake gradually.
• Do not exceed the GCWR rating or transmission damage may occur.
If your vehicle is equipped with AdvanceTrac with RSC, you may
experience AdvanceTrac with RSC activations during typical cornering
maneuvers with a heavily loaded trailer; this is normal. Cornering at a slower speed while towing will reduce the tendency of the AdvanceTrac stability enhancement system to activate.
****
Your manual should be available online at https://www.fleet.ford.com/maintenance/owners_manuals/default.asp and likely will have the same, if not similar, information.
The short answer is, unlike other transmissions where you are explicitly told to NOT tow in o/d, Ford leaves the necessity of towing in o/d to be up to the consumer.
Now, for my experiences with my vehicle. I have towed my TT (6200 lbs loaded) with OD on for most of the trip, but will turn it off when I experience A) any (not even excessive) shifting/hunting a gear, B) anytime I approach a 5% or greater grade or C) transmission temps reach 200 degrees with O/D on. For the latter, you will need to install a transmission temp gauge/monitor as Ford does not have one factory installed.
Mike & Tammy
2001 Keystone Bobcat
2008 Ford Expedition EL
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dupe00
New Bedford, MA
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What are your transmission temps that you find? I do have a scan gauge II that i monitor my temp with, without towing on an average day I am 176-187 degrees. While towing on the highway I am about 197, if in the city maybe 202 or so.
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WI_Campers
Waukesha, WI
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dupe00 wrote:What are your transmission temps that you find? I do have a scan gauge II that i monitor my temp with, without towing on an average day I am 176-187 degrees. While towing on the highway I am about 197, if in the city maybe 202 or so.
I am right about the same range. Not 100% sure about when not towing as the expy is my wife's daily driver, but when I'm towing I see right around 192-196 on flat, and about 204 when going through hilly country. In stop and go driving I have seen 210, but never got out of 4th gear so that isn't overdrive related. That is with ambient air temps around 75-85.
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dupe00
New Bedford, MA
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Does sound the same as me, I usually tow with the OD off, the maunual does state as posted, just curious with the OD off you do stay in 4th gear optimally higher RPMs. Will be doing the first long distance tow, from near Cape Code to Lake George NY, about 300 miles. Do you have the HD cooling package?
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WI_Campers
Waukesha, WI
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dupe00 wrote:Does sound the same as me, I usually tow with the OD off, the maunual does state as posted, just curious with the OD off you do stay in 4th gear optimally higher RPMs. Will be doing the first long distance tow, from near Cape Code to Lake George NY, about 300 miles. Do you have the HD cooling package?
If by the HD cooling package you mean the enhancements added in the Heavy Duty Tow Package, then yes - that was an absolute requirement for any truck I bought, and one of the reasons we ordered instead of buying off of the dealer's lot.
With the higher RPM's in 4th gear, keep an eye on your fuel mileage. Our last trip out was 8.8, return was 11.1 with overdrive on. I was conversing with someone towing a similar trailer as ours with O/D off and he averaged between 6 and 7. On a long trip that might make a significant difference. Of course, we took our trip when we were paying 4.19 a gallon, luckily it is down to 3.63 now. (never thought I would be so happy for 3.63 gas!)
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dupe00
New Bedford, MA
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Ok, thats why I was inquiring about driving with the OD on, get some better gas mileage. I thought I had the HD cooling, but do not, I only have the 7 core auxillary cooler, however, the temps I monitor do seem to be comprible to everyone elses with the HD setup.
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