48RE Towing Question

[ERogers]

I've got a 2005 with 52,000 non towing miles on it. The manual says that I should tow no faster than 50 MPH for the first 500 miles. Does this still apply?



Thanks.

 

[07 ThunderRoad]

No. It applies to the truck when it was new.

 

[Gonzo 1066]

I would assume your new truck should be broke in in the same method as the 05.

 

[HBarlow]

ERogers,

That caution was only to allow the differential ring and pinion gears to wear and mate to each other when the truck was new.

 

[BIGNASTY]

Agree with others but I let it come up to operating temps before I ask a bunch out of it. I always drive in tow/haul in town and in the Mountains. Overdrive on the interstate above 55mph even pulling a trailer. I have done this sence new and have 99 k on with no problems, along with the maint. You can tell when your asking a little to much from the truck

 

[ERogers]

Thanks for the info, I appreciate it.

 

[DFark]

Big Nasty, my 05 shifts into overdrive while in tow haul, the shift point is just higher, some times I back off the throttle to make it shift up. I thought I read that this was normal. I know on my old 95 Chevy tow haul meant no overdrive at all. So on level ground you don't use the tow/haul?
Thanks, Doug

 

[Grizzly]

What size and weight of trailer are you towing? You might need to upgrade the TC.

 

[BIGNASTY]

Big Nasty, my 05 shifts into overdrive while in tow haul, the shift point is just higher, some times I back off the throttle to make it shift up. I thought I read that this was normal. I know on my old 95 Chevy tow haul meant no overdrive at all. So on level ground you don't use the tow/haul?

Thanks, Doug

I drive my truck kinda by the seat of my pants. I have talked to DTT in Abottsford BC I hope I spell this rite. Bill Kondelay they when I need it are going to do my trans. Bill and Steafan and on the web site said to drive it loaded or empty in town under 50 or 55 in Tow/haul. Something about better lubrication of a part in the trans. I have know idea what they are talking about but I do know that they know a HELL of allot more than I so I do. And yes when on the big road with the trailer in tow over 55 I take it out of T/H and run like that. I have stock HP stock tire size and have 373 gears. I think the secret to it is if it down shifts allot(I dont let it ) then drop it into T/H and leave it. When driving down the Hwy I look far enough down the road that if a little hill is coming up and I think it will downshift I gas on it build up enough speed up that it wont down shift thus no need to take it out or OD and drop it in to T/H not good for fuel mileage but cheaper than trans trouble I think. When I get off the Hwy I put it in the T/H and leave it . And when I hit the grades at lower speeds in the mountains it's already in T/H and most of the time I drop the trans into 2ond. For two reasons first and foremost not to go around turns so fast as to throw things out of cabinets so the wife wont get P O, and not to let the RPM of the motor get to low. I feel that if when your driving and you dont think that what is happening in or feeling like or sounding like in you truck is different or not real good for it. It more than likely isnt. My BIL built a 72 chevy 4x4 with a 1 gen cummins in it for his sister the trans is a TH400 built up and I think that is a really sweet set up. Some of the new stuff I think that it's getting to be to technical and just is a bunch of headaches

 

[DFark]

Grizzly, trailer weight varies I tow a livestock trailer and other farm trailers. Sometimes it does lug the motor too hard before it shifts down so I do it manually. I will definitely upgrade the T/C when the trans is out for repair. I'm at 85,000 mi. currently on a stock truck.

Unfortunately we have not found ourselves a 5er yet, but I have received my copy of the r/v buyers guide per your advice. As you said, its recommended reading for anyone in the market for an rv, especially a newbie such as myself. :-laf

 

[Grizzly]

Good for you DFark. Lot of great information in the RVCG.