1800 mile trip. transmission shift question 68 RFE

[Bug Out]

Well, I pulled the RV to N/Cal, Sacramento, Sparks,Nv, Vegas and back home in a 9 days time with the 2013 2500 RAM. Up to this point, I have only towed the 5th wheel 2-400 miles max on trips.

Overall, thru all the mountains, Tehachapi's, Donner summit etc, she preformed very well. For the most part, while towing in Ca, I kept it in 5th gear as 60-63 MPH was tops.

Coming back thru Nevada 6th gear 65-67MPH until we started hitting wind etc.

On a couple occasions the transmission shifting concerned me. About 3 times it shifted into 5th from 4th gear but seemed like it was staying in "unlock" (TCL) until I took my foot off the throttle.

The other strange thing was when it would shift into TCL in 5th gear, it sounded like 2 stages as it went into lock. 4th and 6th gear sounds like one smooth drop into TCL.

Any of the 68 RFE folks can let me know if thats normal ?

 

[Cummings]

Why stay in 5th gear? Put It in drive and let the computer do it's thing. We use our truck almost exclusively to tow trailers, and just pet 'er in drive and go. Just towed our 35' 5th wheel 1300 miles, and it goes perfectly. Sounds like you're listening for problems that aren't there. Enjoy!!

 

[Too Tall]

It'll shift like that if you don't use tow haul mode?

 

[Bug Out]

Cummings, I have used 6th gear at 60 and the engine sounds like crap towing at 1300rpm, 25K gross weight... Drop it in 5th 16-1800 and it sounds so much better , plus the fuel economy was better for 60 MPH in 5th gear. JMHO.

Too tall, I was in TH mode the whole way. Thats a idea though. I'll try non-TH and see how it does.

 

[Cummins12V98]

Run TH and EB ALL the time. I tow 28K combined at 62mph in 6th with no ill effects. I hit 5th when the hills come up of any size.