1997 Ford F250 Owner's Manual - Page 212

Driving While You Tow Be especially careful when driving while you tow a trailer. Never drive faster than 45 mph (70 km/h) when you tow in hilly country on hot days. Also, anticipate stops so that you can brake gradually. If you use the speed control while you are towing on very long, steep grades, the speed control may shut off. If your vehicle is equipped with an Electronic 4-Speed Automatic (E4OD) transmission, operate in Overdrive. Refer to the automatic transmission operation earlier in this chapter. When descending a steep grade with a trailer, operate in Drive rather than Overdrive. If additional braking is needed, shift the automatic transmission gearshift into the 2 (Second) or 1 (Low) position. If your vehicle is equipped with a manual 5-speed transmission, operate in 4th gear. Overdrive (5th) gear should not be used when towing. If additional braking is needed when descending a steep grade with a trailer, downshift the transmission into 3rd gear. Launching or Retrieving a Boat When backing down a ramp during boat launching or retrieval, u Do not allow the static water level to rise above the bottom edge of the rear bumper, and cm (six inches) above the bottom edge of the rear bumper. u Do not allow waves to break higher than 15 212