with our Ford 150 automatic 5.4L do we drive with it in overdrive or not? Thanks
2007-05-27 03:34:51 · 9 answers · asked by tess 6 in Cars & Transportation ➔ Other - Cars & Transportation
the trailer is 3500 lbs fully loaded
2007-05-27 03:44:25 · update #1
Over drive on flat roads turn over drive on, if the transmission hunts for gear, Down shifts and up shifts a lot or on hilly roads turn OD off. You have enough engine and are using a truck just don't exceed the maxium weight the truck can pull. And when pulling more than 4,000 pounds think about trailer brakes. With or with out trailer brakes take it easy allow lot's of stopping distance. Trailers also have speed limits slower than the posted maxium speed limit.
2007-05-27 03:44:44 · answer #1 · answered by John Paul 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Keep your speed down, make sure your side mirrors stick out far enough that you can still see the side of your trailer and traffic. Keep more space than usual between you and the car in front of you. Your truck won't stop as quickly with a horse trailer. Keep your braking soft and gradual so you don't throw your horses forward every time you hit the brakes. don't forget the trailer will go wherever the truck goes...make sure you swing wide enough on turns that you don't take out a road sign with your trailer. When I bought my first horse trailer a few years ago the salesman was very helpful. He made sure I knew how to hook and unhook the trailer from the truck (he made me do it twice before i left) He gave me some tips like make sure the trailer is level and if it isn't it is better for the front of the trailer to be higher than the back rather than the front to be lower than the back. He said if the front of the trailer is lower than the back then you can get into some bad trouble with trailer sway. Level is best though. I rarely go somewhere where I will have to back up. I make sure I can swing around in a circle or just pull through. Practice and common sense are real important.
2016-05-19 00:17:43 · answer #2 · answered by ? 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Depends on the weight of the trailer. A 5.4L will usually pull a light (1,500lb or less) trailer in OD without any problem. But if you are towing a heavier trailer or the transmission is shifting in & out of OD too much, use the regular Drive position.
2007-05-27 03:40:20 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Depends on the weight of the trailer and the kind of terrain you are driving through. It won't necessarily hurt your truck to leave it in overdrive, you may get better performance climbing hills or towing heavy trailers with the O/D selected off.
For the best advice...Read your vehicle owner's manual.
2007-05-27 03:41:43 · answer #4 · answered by JetDoc 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
When up hill don't use overdrive it will help thrust you car up since you are pulling a trailer,when driving on flat road use overdrive it will ease pressure on engine., downhill don't use overdrive too to mak car slower.
2007-05-27 03:40:31 · answer #5 · answered by Rajab 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I would onlu use the overdrive if the trailer is empty. What are you carrying in the trailer? If you are towing any significant weight, only use "Drive".
2007-05-27 03:40:01 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes, unless and until the engine seems to be laboring, and then you would switch down to drive.
At the point you would downshift using a manual is the point you should get out of over drive, if you are familiar with standard transmissions. (If not, ask an old person. *grin*)
2007-05-27 04:53:55 · answer #7 · answered by oklatom 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Put it in drive while starting up from a dead stop and while accelerating and into overdrive gear while traveling at freeway speeds.
2007-05-27 03:40:41 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I would leave it off just to be safe.
2007-05-27 04:11:09 · answer #9 · answered by red77chevy350 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋