3rd gen, auto trans, towing

[5thram]

I'm thinking of purchasing a slightly used 2003 Dually, loaded, with automatic, to tow my fifth wheel. I'm needing some opinions on how the new truck tows with automatic, what problems you've encountered, etc. Can anybody help? Thanks... . :

 

[klenger]

47RE or 48RE with HO?

 

[Steve M]

We're towing 10,400 lbs with our '03 S/O 47RE with 4. 10 ratio. It's a little sluggish in rolling hills but holds O/D with cruise on at 68-70mph down to 55mph. Very happy with it. The HO would probably flatten the hills out. I'm not at all concerned about towing with the 47RE. Our '01. 5 47RE and '95 47RH held up fine. The new ones come with ATF+4 synthetic transmission fluid. I haven't seen over 180*F in the hot line from the transmission yet. If it's a good deal I'd go for it SO or HO.

 

[5thram]

Guys, thanks for your responses. Mama and I went down to the dealer for a testdrive. I couldn't find the sticker, but I got the VIN# 3d7mu48633g779776. Best I can decipher, that'd be a 47RE and the standard output Cummins. It has the 3. 73 axle, and seemed sluggish, compared to the new one I tested yesterday. I'm gonna pass on it. Thanks again... . Henry

 

[tgrfan2]

A friend has a 2003 QC SB SRW HO 48re with 3. 73 and it tows his 3575 Big Sky real well. I think the weight would be real similar to yours. He bought his for very little more than the dealer wanted for a used 2002. The best part about the 48re to me is lockup in second gear. With the taller rear gear it makes second real responsive in city driving with that kind of load.

 

[RobG]

I recently traded my 6sp HO 2001 in for a new HO/48RE 03 because I was tired of shifting. I was concerned about the automatic, since I thoroughly roasted the transmission in my '96 (whatever it was).



I took my first trip this past Weds and got home today. I had my 2000 Lance 1030 camper on the truck (4500 lbs by itself) and was towing a quad on a flat trailer, maybe 1500 lbs more.



In a nutshell, I was thoroughly impressed with the new transmission. Only once did it have to downshift going up a hill, and that was because I started at too low of a speed anyway. Whenever I had the cruise set at or above 68 mph (speed limit was 70 anyway), it held just fine. It would lose up to 5 mph on some of the steeper hills, but I expected that at the 4500-6000' elevations where I drive, on a truck with about 1400 miles on it.



What I really enjoyed was the couple of times when I was following a friend in his 02 F350 PSD auto, towing two quads on a larger flatbed (probably 3000-3200 lbs) and he would slow down on hills much more than I would... and he generally went faster on the flats than I wanted to, so it wasn't like he wasn't putting his foot in it.



Rob

 

[lynnbrown]

We haven,t had a problem with our 48re pulling a 11,000 lb 5th wheel here in the mountains. Truck has 12,000 miles on it and it just gets better. Love it.

Lynn & Betty

 

[Bill Stockard]

RobG,



I too am a former 6 speed owner and am impressed with the HO/48RE combination. On a recent trip to Wyoming, I could actually gain speed on a 6% grade in overdrive hauling a heavier camper than yours with less than WOT!



Bill

 

[Fireman]

RobG,



That shore is one PURDY truck !



Fireman

 

[RobG]

Why, thank ya, thank ya very much! (/elvis)



Sure is red, isn't it? Never thought I'd own a dually in bright freakin' red. But I wanted a sport this time come hell or high water, and that was the only color they had with all of the options I wanted (which were pretty much all of 'em). I definitely like it better than the oh, so bland silver that my last one was.



I even like the dark interior (I wanted taupe) because it shows far less dirt. My Grand Cherokee has taupe leather and it shows all the dirt.



Rob

 

[plntmgr]

I have no problems with my 48RE. I feel more secure in it opposed to th 47RE in the '98. What do you guys use to help slow down on those 6% downgrades?



'03 Laramie 3500 HO 48RE 3. 73 20. 5 "No Drill" Pullrite



'01 Alpenlite32RL Augusta

 

[RMcCulloch]

I use my exhaust brake and cruise control.

 

[5thram]

RMc,

Nice truck. I test drove one just like it but couldn't reach an agreement with the dealer. I was really impressed with the "sense of urgency" from the combination of the engine, transmission and rear end. I finally "settled" for a 2k1 HO dually, gently used. Got the hitch in the bed Monday, now I'm set. Sold the Blue Mule to a loved one. Guess I have to change my Sig... .

Happy Hauling!

Henry