FordExcursions.com Forums
E. Long
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• Subscriber since 1/1/2001 |
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• Atlanta, GA, USA |
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• Registered on 1/23/2001 |
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• 2,229 posts |
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 Posted:6/14/2005 22:17 |
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I towed the largest load I've ever towed in my X this evening. A friend just bought a 26-1/2" Crown Line boat. It's somewhere in the 5,500-6,000 lb range w/ trailer. Towing was a breeze around town and on the highway. She runs like a dog with that much weight (I'm sure it's probably good compared to what other vehicles can do, but I don't tow much at all to be able to compare)!
That said, when I was backing the boat/trailer into his driveway (slight incline...10-15% or so), I was taking it very slow being the first time getting the boat into his drive, etc. We weren't sure how it'd fit, if it was going to scrape, etc. It fit fine but when I had the front wheels up against the curb of the driveway, I naturally had to give it extra gas. The turbo really spooled up but it finally got the front wheels up over the curb and onto the driveway and that's when transmission fluid started spewing out from underneath the vehicle. Since I sat there for a bit in reverse trying to get it up the driveway, I'm sure it overheated.
My concern is that it was really quite easy to do this, so I'm wondering if any of you towing masters have some tips/hints for what I may be doing wrong. I'll make more of a running start when reversing again, but considering my X is basically stock (other than exhaust), I was surprised this happened.
-Eric
'67 Galaxie 500 - 390 FE, .030" over, FE to AOD adapter, disc brake conversion. The Daily Driver.
'00 Excursion - 7.3L PSD, LANDYOT Gen-II Radius Rods, Factory Tech Valve Body, 200K+ miles and going |
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E. Long
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• Subscriber since 1/1/2001 |
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• Atlanta, GA, USA |
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• Registered on 1/23/2001 |
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• 2,229 posts |
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GOT8KIDS
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• Rosemount, MN, USA |
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• Registered on 2/10/2005 |
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• 19 posts |
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Posted:6/15/2005 06:56 |
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I am no expert in this area, but here is a few things I do know.
There should be a vent hose on the trany and I am guessing the fluid came from there, which is not a problem. I heated up a suburban once and lost about 7 quarts out that house. That was a problem, but it was because the converter was already toasted before I towed 7000lbs in overdrive. (Live and learn)
Reverse up hill with a load is tuff on the converter. My brother has a dodge with the Cummings. It is a 2 wheel drive and he ordered it with the plowing package. This gave him 3 stock trany coolers with the largest running under the bed of the truck with fans on it. He lives in AZ and regularly tows a fifth wheel back and forth between CALF and AZ. the only time the fans on the truck bed cooler kick on is when backing up the slight incline to park the rig in his drive. Not in the desert when 100+ or going over the passes, but when backing in the drive.
Checks the fluid, if it is burnt at all have it changed. If the computer is not throwing code you are fine.
BTW did the trany gage ever say HOT?
02' X V-10, Limited, 3:73, Stainless hood shield, DVD |
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E. Long
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• Subscriber since 1/1/2001 |
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• Atlanta, GA, USA |
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• Registered on 1/23/2001 |
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• 2,229 posts |
• 1
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Posted:6/15/2005 07:24 |
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| Quote: | | There should be a vent hose on the trany and I am guessing the fluid came from there, which is not a problem. I heated up a suburban once and lost about 7 quarts out that house. That was a problem, but it was because the converter was already toasted before I towed 7000lbs in overdrive. (Live and learn) |
I figured there was a vent that allowed for this overflowing.
| Quote: | | Checks the fluid, if it is burnt at all have it changed. If the computer is not throwing code you are fine. |
I shut it down right when I noticed it. I probably lost about 1-2 quarts, judging by what was on the driveway.
| Quote: | | BTW did the trany gage ever say HOT? |
I have a 2000 model year...no tranny gauges from the factory! I think however I'll finally be installing my gauge when I do the trans flush. I'll be able to keep tabs on everything, then.
Thanks for the feedback! 
-Eric
'67 Galaxie 500 - 390 FE, .030" over, FE to AOD adapter, disc brake conversion. The Daily Driver.
'00 Excursion - 7.3L PSD, LANDYOT Gen-II Radius Rods, Factory Tech Valve Body, 200K+ miles and going |
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bigfoot567
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• Fort Worth, TX, USA |
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• Registered on 3/18/2005 |
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• 55 posts |
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Posted:6/15/2005 10:30 |
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Not that my experience has anything to do with towing or backing up, but after a daytrip of driving at highway speeds of 75 from DFW area to College Station ( 170 miles) in central Tx on a recent hot 95 degree day, stopping the truck for about 45 minutes then getting back in and heading back to DFW (another 170 miles on the highway and heat). I got home and noticed a small puddle of tranny fluid at the front of the trans,,,ran up to the store nearby and after parking again saw another small puddle of the red juice.
checked with a couple of trans shops and both said the PSD trannies tend develop a leak at the front seals after a few miles (mine has 115K) and in the heat.
Mine never leaked again, but I never ran it that long in the heat either, but I did get it fixed within a week, but kept driving it locally. It was 1-2 quarts low after that long day trip.
Cost was about $350 to replace this seal ( one place wanted $575 so check around) and another $100 to replace the filter and refill with Mobile One synthetic.
FYI |
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E. Long
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• Subscriber since 1/1/2001 |
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• Atlanta, GA, USA |
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• Registered on 1/23/2001 |
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• 2,229 posts |
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Posted:6/15/2005 10:44 |
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Bill,
The temps are starting to rise around here, but I haven't had a problem with regular highway/around town cruising and trans leakage during previous summers. 87K on my first trans before it died. I now have about 59K on my current trans. I hope that it's not a seal issue. I inspected it today and didn't see any leaks after driving 30+ miles highway/city. I think I'm OK but will definitely be keeping an eye on it. 
-Eric
'67 Galaxie 500 - 390 FE, .030" over, FE to AOD adapter, disc brake conversion. The Daily Driver.
'00 Excursion - 7.3L PSD, LANDYOT Gen-II Radius Rods, Factory Tech Valve Body, 200K+ miles and going |
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Texas4x4
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• Tyler, TX, USA |
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• Registered on 7/25/2003 |
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• 289 posts |
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Posted:6/15/2005 11:10 |
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Eric,
I have seen where tranny fluid got hot enough to build pressure and literally spew out of the dip-stick tube. That should give you something else to check.
However, I have towed more than what you have stated from here in Arlington down to Uvalde (about 7 hours away) in the middle of a Texas summer and didn't have any tranny issues. I also checked for the burnt smell. It was with a '99 F250, however, not an Ex.
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
Kevin Curry
Staff Writer: www.ROCKCRAWLER.com
[email protected]
http://www.texas4x4.com
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scott young
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• Lexington, KY, USA |
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• Registered on 9/30/2004 |
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• 29 posts |
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Posted:6/16/2005 20:44 |
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E.Long
When backing up a load in reverse, this puts a tremedous strain on the torque converter...ie...slippage etc....This will overheat the Trans fluid well beyond 240F very very quickly...You more than likely may of blown your front trans seals....Keep an eye out for leaks when the trans get warmed up.... |
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Scott Stover
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• Fayetteville, NC, USA |
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• Registered on 4/16/2004 |
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• 354 posts |
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Posted:6/17/2005 12:47 |
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I too agree, not too much to worry about, backing a ride that big sometimes is hard on them backing. That Crownline should weigh in around 7200 or so, unless its a bowrider then it will be in the 5500# range, so your right towing it around town should be a breeze...glad that shes ok though...got any pics of the boat??  Im shopping for one!!
Scott
2000 X 4x4 V-10 4.3 LS
K&N
Gibson Catback
"Custom" Kickplates |
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E. Long
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• Subscriber since 1/1/2001 |
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• Atlanta, GA, USA |
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• Registered on 1/23/2001 |
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• 2,229 posts |
• 1
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Posted:6/17/2005 13:18 |
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| Quote: | | I too agree, not too much to worry about, backing a ride that big sometimes is hard on them backing. That Crownline should weigh in around 7200 or so, unless its a bowrider then it will be in the 5500# range, so your right towing it around town should be a breeze...glad that shes ok though...got any pics of the boat?? Im shopping for one!! |
Since it's a friend's boat, I'm not up to speed on its specs. He said it weighs 4,500 lbs. No clue what the trailer's at, so we were figuring around 6,000 lbs. It sure did feel heavy and it's going to be one hell of a workout for his F150. Pics are here and taken at his house after backing it into the driveway and spewing tranny fluid on his driveway.
I'm new to boats/boating, so this is going to be a lot of fun. What type of boat are you looking into?
-Eric
'67 Galaxie 500 - 390 FE, .030" over, FE to AOD adapter, disc brake conversion. The Daily Driver.
'00 Excursion - 7.3L PSD, LANDYOT Gen-II Radius Rods, Factory Tech Valve Body, 200K+ miles and going |
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