Towing question

liner80 · Oct 21, 2008

Hello all I am new to the forum. I have a 01 ranger supercab 4x4 with a 4.0 auto trans, and 4.10(I think). My question is this winter I am going to be moving and will be pulling my enclosed trailer 6x12 (1300lb empty). I will have it loaded with around 2000lb of stuff. I have to go about 900 miles so my question is can I use OD or only pull it it 4th. I hate to pull in 4th for that far and run the motor at that rpm for that long. Will it be alright to pull in OD?
IF so should I installa bigger trans cooler? If yes can someone point me to a good one? Thanks for the help.

Josh

07rangersport · Oct 21, 2008

try it in OD. If the trans is shifting searching for a gear all the time, the shut OD off. 3000# you should be fine as you are.

Wicked_Sludge · Oct 22, 2008

i would stay out of overdrive regardless. spinning a few extra RPM isnt going to hurt the motor, and as a result you will run cooler, get better mileage, and have more power available.

i always reccomend using an auxilery cooler when towing...but if this is a one-time thing and you dont want to spend the extra money, added wear on your trans. will be minimal.

welcome to TRS!

gw33gp · Oct 22, 2008

I never use OD when towing. I do have a manual transmission but that does not change the engine rpm in high, direct drive gear (non-OD) compared to an automatic. I typically run about 3,500 rpm on the Interstates. Most of the time I tow a combined weight of around 3500 lbs with about 800 lbs additional on the bed. My longest tow has been 5,000 miles round trip. With over 90,000 miles on the engine now, I see no ill effects from towing out of OD.

If you don't want to run the engine at the higher rpm, you can always slow down.

Will · Oct 22, 2008

07rangersport said:
try it in OD. If the trans is shifting searching for a gear all the time, the shut OD off. 3000# you should be fine as you are.

+1

lifted_Mazda01 · Oct 25, 2008

i tow 4 full sized atvs from s. fla to okeechobee and never engauge it into overdrive, but i also got 3.0 with 3.73 gears on 33x12.5, but fuel is a small price to pay for wear and tear on the drive components

rusty ol ranger · Oct 25, 2008

If its not working the engine and shifting back and fourth then obviously the vehicle doesnt know anything is back there and running O/D is no different then running it with an empty truck.

Now if its constantly shifting back and fourth, and losing speed when it shifts, shift into 3rd.

later,
Dustin

Towing question

liner80

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07rangersport

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gw33gp

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Will

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