Towing and OD

[brucebotti]

I just installed my class III hitch and brake controller. I will be towing a combined trailer / car weight of about 3,500#. Every thread I see seems to recommend towing with the OD off. My question is, how about on level ground when the vehicle isn't under a lot of strain?
Thanks,
Bruce

 

[kb0nly]

On a level stretch of highway overdrive is fine, the reason why so many recommend shutting it off is when your going down a hilly road thats enough to make it downshift your trans will be shifting up and down a lot, building up extra heat and adding wear and tear to it.

Main thing is if your in overdrive and it tends to downshift and shift back up a lot, hilly or not, then turn off the overdrive to prevent it.

 

[KeswickDave]

Hi Bruce, I tow a travel trailer, around 3500 lbs when loaded.

I would agree that if the road is flat and it will stay in OD without downshifting on it's own then you'll be fine.

My experience though has been that unless you're going across the Praries, roads are rarely perfectly flat and level

Even a slight incline will usually cause mine to start slowing down and downshift to maintain cruising speed (using cruise control).

That could vary depending on what you're towing, a travel trailer has a large frontal area causing wind resistance too - something with a smaller profile could be better.

Dave

 

[Dave]

x3.....I tow in O/D on flat highway with no issues. But lock out O/D otherwise.

Dave

 

[kb0nly]

Yep, it depends on the load, wind resistance, you name it. But like we all said, if it behaves you can definitely tow in overdrive, but when it starts shifting a lot lock her out!

Roads certainly aren't flat around here... Maybe if we visited Kansas?? LOL

 

[brucebotti]

Thanks for all your help. It confirmed what I thought. I guess "when in doubt...turn OD off".
Bruce

 

[RageOfFury]

I haven't towed anything yet, but when I do, O/D will be off the whole time.

I also turn O/D off when going up a hill when not towing.

 

[riptricket]

my o.d. is on all the time!

 

[HoosierJeeper]

I always leave my OD on....but I don't tow, and my driveway is usually the steepest hill the KJ sees....