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Old 11-01-2016, 05:47 PM   #1
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engine RPM when towing.

Hi all, I'm new to forum joined yesterday. I'm towing a 5th wheel with a 2007 f250 super duty 5.4l. @ 65 mph I'm running around 3000 RPM, does this sound about right?
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Old 11-01-2016, 06:11 PM   #2
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It all depends on gearing. Personally that sounds high to me but I am not a Ford guy. If you know how many forward gears you have in the Transmission, count how many times the trans shifts to see if it goes through all the gears and into overdrive. Maybe overdrive is for some reason locked out?

My 2008 Chevy runs about 1800rpm but I have two overdrives.
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Old 11-01-2016, 06:30 PM   #3
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it's a ford torque shift transmission 5speed auto. on flat surface it will run around 2000 in overdrive but with traffic, hills, overpasses it seems I mainly stay @ 3000 rpm. Sometimes I'll turn overdrive off to keep from overworking the trans, that's when I'm running at 3000 RPM.
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Old 11-01-2016, 06:42 PM   #4
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I'm also not a Ford guy but it sounds high. My 09 Silverado runs at 1800-2000 RPM's as well. I know some Ford guys will chime in soon.
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Old 11-01-2016, 07:28 PM   #5
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Welcome to the forum anotherrv!
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Old 11-01-2016, 09:42 PM   #6
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The 5.4 is a gas burner guys, in a heavy duty Truck It probably has a high gear in it so it would make sense that the r's would be that high
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Old 11-02-2016, 10:30 AM   #7
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Quote:
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it's a ford torque shift transmission 5speed auto. on flat surface it will run around 2000 in overdrive but with traffic, hills, overpasses it seems I mainly stay @ 3000 rpm. Sometimes I'll turn overdrive off to keep from overworking the trans, that's when I'm running at 3000 RPM.
You have the 5r110 tranny which has a tow/haul feature, not an ODrive lockout. Using the tow/haul mode, the tranny does Not lock out overdrive. The tranny uses all of its gears, just the shifting points change, both accel and decel.
More then likely, you are pulling many of the time in one gear above o/drive.
Not sure what you're towing but the 5.4 struggles when towing heavy and the tranny adjusts for a better rpm fit.
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Old 11-03-2016, 02:06 PM   #8
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The RPM sounds high to me. My last two vehicles the 2011 f-150 and the 2011 f-250 diesel both on level straight highway 65 mph would not tow with any higher of an RPM than when I was not towing. (1800 and 2000 respectively) My Tacoma would sit at 4000 RPM most of the time while I towed. Looking back on the Tacoma it really is not a great trailer towing truck even though it was rated at 6500# towing so it was extremely under powered. The only time either of the Ford trucks go over 3000 rpm is on hills or high power demand situations.
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Old 11-03-2016, 05:13 PM   #9
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thanks for the replies all, when towing I do use the tow/haul button for the trans. I also notice if I tow over 70 mph the rpm's seem to be more constant and not as much shifting. However I really don't care to tow at high speeds. I guess there always seem to be a trade off.
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Old 11-05-2016, 03:33 PM   #10
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thanks for the replies all, when towing I do use the tow/haul button for the trans. I also notice if I tow over 70 mph the rpm's seem to be more constant and not as much shifting. However I really don't care to tow at high speeds. I guess there always seem to be a trade off.
With my diesel, shifting isn't that noticeable and not quite that often. However, when you have a 5.4, it's trying to keep you in a power zone best suited for that engine and shifting to keep there, will be far more often.
When I pulled a trailer with my Expy with a 5.4, I could downshift into second and not strain the motor or tranny. However, it had the 4r100 4 sp auto and could shift into second and lock it there.
You probably can downshift manually to 3rd but unfortunately, not to 4th to hold it and avoid multiple shifts with your 5r110.
I know some will say sixth, not fifth as your tranny really is a 6 speed that only uses 5 speeds unless really cold and 4th replaces 5th. Never mind those details.
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Old 11-05-2016, 05:00 PM   #11
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You have not stated what the GVWR is of what you are towing. That could make a huge deal in RPMS of the truck
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Old 11-05-2016, 05:56 PM   #12
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OK thanks, i have put it in 3rd in traffic to keep from shifting back and forth, but at 3k rpm again, it would nice to lock in fourth.
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Old 11-05-2016, 08:04 PM   #13
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My F150 tows 65 mph at 1900 rpms.
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Old 11-06-2016, 07:27 AM   #14
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Good morning Mark, do you know your differential ratio. Also I see you have a '13 335ss, we have a '11 335ss and found the the outer lower deck bedroom side is wet and rotted. Have you heard of a fix for this?
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Old 11-06-2016, 07:42 AM   #15
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The GVWR is 12380, I try to keep close to the dry weight which would be around 1000
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Old 11-06-2016, 07:46 AM   #16
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Mark and I have basically the same truck. Gear ratio is 3.73

Also with the Eco-Boost engine.
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Old 11-06-2016, 10:55 AM   #17
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The GVWR is 12380, I try to keep close to the dry weight which would be around 1000
We still don't know if you have a 3.73 or 4.10 rear end ratio, or if it's a standard cab up to a crew cab. As you can see from my chart below, you could be as much as 3,200 lbs over max tow capacity.

Just maybe that would help to account for your engine running in 4th most of the time.

You have too much trailer for your truck.
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File Type: png image.png (188.2 KB, 16 views)
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Old 11-06-2016, 11:54 AM   #18
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Like Lloyd said, my rear end is a 3.73. Do not a have a problem with the bed deck getting wet and rotten. Sounds like the slide might have to be removed for repair.
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Old 11-07-2016, 05:38 AM   #19
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The truck is a supercab with a 3.73 rear end.
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Old 11-07-2016, 06:41 AM   #20
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If you put all that information about your trailer and truck in your signature, we will all know at a glance what you have. It will help in answering your questions without having to ask for more info.
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