Towing and gas millage (somewhat fishing related)

[TDawg]

Hey all I was towing the boat up to Cal Custom Marine in Redding yesterday and got to thinking about my gas millage. Due to having to tow the boat with over drive off, which is basically towing in 3rd gear the entire way, it really eats up the gas. I know that I am supposed to tow with over drive off because that is what the owners manual of my F-150 says and my mechanic agrees. However, doing this really eats up the gas. So my question to everyone is, because of the high price of gas these days, are you all starting to with over drive on to save on gas. I noticed that on the flats if I turned over drive on my RPM'S would drop by about 600, which would save a ton of fuel.

So anyway this is just to see what others are doing to save on fuel during these times.

Good fishing,

TDawg

[Dan McKenzie]

I don't know ford trucks and have never read a ford manual of any sort, but my truck indicates to turn overdrive "off" when driving situations cause transmission to constantly shift, which is a major reason for transmission overheating. On I-5 its in overdrive and cruise control set, this gives me the best possible fuel mileage for my vehicle.

[TomL]

TDawg - don't get mad if you blow your truck up... but, I have a Ford F150 with 185,000 miles on it.. and I have towed my boat all over the darn place. I have never used the overdrive switch on off!

Hope that helps - but, I do need to tell you - my gas mileage still sucks!

SOMEBODY MAKE AN ELECTRIC VEHICLE I CAN TOW A BOAT WITH PLEASE!!!!

[Rod Martin]

I hauled my boat to Clear Lake the other day, my mileage dropped to 17 it was horrable. That little I-5 really sucks the gas when I'm towing.

[Jim Jr 77]

I have a Tacoma that tows a 19.5ft boat...

Only on flat long stretch's will I use my OD....If im constantly going up and down hills it stays in 4th and i dont use my OD...

i know what ur talkin bout w/ OD gas millage is a lil worse but with it on like I said on flat long stretch's I use it and can see a differance!!!!!

80% time OD is off!!!! Cause of where I travel to fish...Hills,hills,and more hills....Lol....Dont feel like burning up my tranny!!!!

Jim

[TomL]

What the heck are you towing with to get 17mpg?

[DeltaDan]

I think it is mostly relative to the weight of boat/traier ect of what you are towing.


I have a '95 Ford with the 351HO as my daily driver... When I am towing the 21' Cobalt (witch has a hull weight of 3100 pounds alone. ) -- I have the over-drive off. My wifes truck .... I just never even have to look into the rear view mirros as you can't feel it at all.

Our old Durracraft and our new Triton 21 .... No need to to disable the tranny from o/d.


If you want to make up the 600 rpm's on your truck .... Just start making them up on the tach of your truck and keep the pedal to the metal -- It's only gas.

[Rod Martin]

A little chevy colorado with an inline 5 cyl. Pulled my Champion to clear lake got 17. 3rd gear with cruise on when ever possible.

[TDawg]

Hmmmm interesting point about weight DeltaDan. I am towing a 94 393V Ranger which is not real heavy. I think all total is probably about 2500 - 2700 lbs. I think I will see what happens when I haul the boat back to the bay area this weekend. My dad has a new F-150 and has towed the boat all the way here to Redding with over drive "on" and has gotten very good gas millage. My truck is a 98 F-150 with a 4.6 V8, which handles the boat real well. Except on hills its a little slow to pick up but it works.

Jim Jr 77 are you saying that on hills you keep your overdrive "off" but are still able to get into 4th gear? I thought that by having overdrive "off" it keeps you in 3rd which avoids over heating the tranny.

Good fishing,

TDawg

[CN]

I allway's us O/D when hauling my boat but that's the advatage of a 3/4 ton truck.

Problem is it get's the same mileage when NOT towing a boat so where's the advantage of one over the other now day's.

I am thinking smaller Truck and smaller Boat.....Aluminum AND I DONT HAVE TO WIPE IT DOWN EVERY TRIP.

[ken]

TDawg, I never take it out of overdrive unless in the hills. Make sure you have a tranny cooler and if not install one. Change the transmission oil as recommended in the owners manual for rough service if you tow a lot.

[GEORGEN]

I HAVE A 07 F150 THAT I INSTALLED NEW EXHAUST AND A HYPERTECH PROGRAMMER AND IT INCREASED MMY MILEAGE 3MPG.