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Catalina/Capri 25/250 Sailor's Forums

Catalina 250 Specific Forum

F-150 Overdrive and Cruise Control

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Steve Blackburn
Master Marine Consultant

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Canada
1091 Posts

Initially Posted - 04/25/2007 : 23:37:21

Hi Guys,

For the folks out there that have F-150's, when towing do you turn off overdrive? Also is it ok to use cruise control? I wonder which combo is more fuel efficient.

Steve Blackburn, Calgary, AB
C250WB - 1999 - Hull 396

Edited by - on

Turk
Admiral

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USA
736 Posts

Response Posted - 04/26/2007 : 05:29:51

I have an F-150 and I turn OFF the overdrive. How do I know this? I had a Dodge Ram 1500 that I used to go get a boat in Virginia. Did not shut off the overdrive and transmission shifted down hard alot in the mountains. I burned out all the seals and some other goodies in the transmission. Kit was a few hundred dollars - labor was $2400.

I do use the cruise control on long trips. I travel no more than 55 and find myself going over this speed if I don't use the cruise.

Just brought my boat to the house last night. The f-150 4x4 supercrew pulls it nicely!

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CaptRon400
1st Mate

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USA
90 Posts

Response Posted - 04/26/2007 : 07:11:00

Overdrive (and tow-haul mode) depends on the load. Pulling 2,000 pounds with a gas engine on relatively flat ground you can get away with it (overdrive on, tow-haul off), but 6,000+ up even a slight (2%) grade is when the transmission has got to be in direct or maybe even a lower gear. Overdrive will hurt the drive train under these conditions. You've got to keep the rpm in the higher torque band (3,000 plus) with additional torque multiplication from the lower gears. Tow-haul mode, if the truck has it, will also modify the shift points. Forget about gas mileage under these conditions. Got a diesel? - you can just about forget all of the above with 6,000 pounds behind you. At fast idle it will put out double the gas engines torque at any rpm.

Depending on the conditions, cruise control will not hurt the truck. But note that a good driver can get better mileage if he watches the road and his right foot. You've got to anticipate what's in front of you. The cruise control can't, and will blow gas out the tailpipe when trying to compensate for a grade at the last second.

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britinusa
Web Editor

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USA
5404 Posts

Response Posted - 04/26/2007 : 07:37:38

yep (F150 4x4 5.4 Lariet supercrew 4 door)
Normally 2WD, OD is off and never use cruise control.
However, when we head up to the B.E.E.R. Cruise in June, and on flat roads, I'll consider OD, but any hint of an incline and it will be off.

I always use 4WD when on the ramps, can pull the boat up a steep ramp almost at idle. Sweet!

Paul

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At Ease
Admiral

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672 Posts

Response Posted - 04/26/2007 : 19:18:04

If you have tow/haul, put it there and forget about it. Cruise is okay for flat country. Bottom line...do what the owner's manual says.

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Steve Blackburn
Master Marine Consultant

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Canada
1091 Posts

Response Posted - 04/27/2007 : 00:40:26

Thank you for the feedback. I have no tow/haul mode, just that button that turns OD off. Probably will try OD on level roads. I'll have a read at the manual if the Admiral decides I can take a break and drive for a while. We're leaving tomorrow morning for Oregon, all four of us. Very excited.

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Steve Blackburn
Master Marine Consultant

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Canada
1091 Posts

Response Posted - 04/30/2007 : 22:49:07

Well I'm back. The Admiral gave me no break at all so I drove the whole 30 something hours. Just wanted to mention for the folks who might be droping in and have the same question that Cruise Control is very useful. I set my CC at about 60-65 MPH then switched the OD OFF as soon as I saw the slightest climb. Without CC I found myself overcompensenting and going way too fast uphill. With CC it was smooth. Not a hint of heat. Just crossing the rockies I would go without CC and OD since the compression was breaking me enough so I wouldn't touch the breaks much. If anyone wonders, an F-150 is an excellent match for a C250. Expect your gas milage to go down by half when towing though.

Edited by - Steve Blackburn on 05/01/2007 13:06:58

britinusa
Web Editor

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USA
5404 Posts

Response Posted - 05/01/2007 : 05:57:16

Good feedback Steve.
was this a typo?
<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">then switched the OD on as soon as I saw the slightest climb<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

Paul

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Steve Blackburn
Master Marine Consultant

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Canada
1091 Posts

Response Posted - 05/01/2007 : 13:02:20

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by britinusa
 Good feedback Steve.
was this a typo?
<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">then switched the OD on as soon as I saw the slightest climb<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

Paul
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

Paul...Yes definitely a typo. I meant switched OD OFF as soon as I saw the slightest climb. LOL

I edited my post. Rookie mistake.

Edited by - Steve Blackburn on 05/01/2007 13:07:33

CaptRon400
1st Mate

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USA
90 Posts

Response Posted - 05/03/2007 : 07:43:35

My "problem" with cruise control on ascending grades is that it will try to compensate too late - I've wound up in 2nd gear at near 5,000 rpm trying to maintain 50+ mph. Since the transmission shifting is controlled partially by engine vacuum, I can trick it a little by slightly increasing speed before the problem, then feather back a drop on throttle as we climb. Forget about the Rocky Mountains, but this will work in foothills or before a bridge.

I think a half ton pickup is at the bottom edge of being "acceptable" for a wing keel boat and a long tow. It's a thousand pounds heavier than water ballast and sticks an extra 2 to 3 feet up into the air flow. Since I've pulled heavier but shorter weights with less trouble - the latter seems to be the main cause.

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Steve Blackburn
Master Marine Consultant

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Canada
1091 Posts

Response Posted - 05/04/2007 : 13:20:17

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by CaptRon400
 I think a half ton pickup is at the bottom edge of being "acceptable" for a wing keel boat and a long tow. It's a thousand pounds heavier than water ballast and sticks an extra 2 to 3 feet up into the air flow. Since I've pulled heavier but shorter weights with less trouble - the latter seems to be the main cause.
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

I totaly agree a WK would be a bit heavy. My comments are based on a WB and the combo F-150/WB feels just right.

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At Ease
Admiral

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672 Posts

Response Posted - 05/04/2007 : 17:14:07

For a lot of serious towing, you can't beat a diesel.

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