Over Drive

[R1Kirby]

I am not sure where this question belongs. I purchased a 1998 Coachman Class C Motorhome with low milage. It has a Ford Triton V-10 engine with an automatic transmission. I have discovered that it has an over drive button on the shift lever. My question is....should the transmission be in over drive while towing a toad? The owner did not have the ford operators manual. Thanks...

[Mandys Man]

The following comes out of a 2000 Ford F-250 Owners Manual:::
When gearshift is in "D" Position (Overdrive) is automatic. This is the normal driving position for the best fuel economy. Transmission operates in gears one through four.

(Overdrive) can be deactivated by pressing the transmission control switch (TCS) on the end of the gearshift lever. The transmission control indicator light (TCIL) (the word OFF) on the end of the gearshift lever will illuminate.

AS for towing with it overdrive, I'm pretty sure the manual will recommend against it.
We had the 454 Chev in ours which said not to tow in overdrive, The trans would constantly try to "hunt" for the proper gear. If we were on flat ground and the torque converter was not constantly locking into and out of overdrive, we would tow in overdrive. If it constantly shifted, we would get out of overdrive. Drove it that way for 11 years with no problems. Remember though, we had a different tranny.

[RedneckExpress]

Can't comment on your specific rig, but I use overdrive when driving in situations that allow it to stay put in the gear. When it starts to hunt, I lock out the OD, and sometimes even lock out Drive and go to second. It all depends on where you are and what the road is like.

[Richard S.]

I had a 2001 Surfside motorhome on the Ford F53 chassis, it had OD. I towed a 2004 ranger pick up, when going up or down hills I would push the button to take it out of OD. Used the OD the rest of the time, never had a problem.