At what point am I lugging in 5th gear?

[klenger]

At what point am I lugging the engine in 5th gear? While towing our ~4000 lb tavel trailer with the new truck, I was able to drive from Glenwood Springs to Vail (2500' elevation gain in 60 miles) almost entirely in 5th gear. It seemed to have plenty of power. I only down shifted to 4th for some of the short hills. I climbed Vail Pass and the west Eisenhower Tunel approach (11,000 feet) in 4th gear at 65 MPH. I guess I was kind of "torqued off", so to speek #ad
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Ken Lenger
2001. 5 2500 QC 4X4 SWB SLT, ETC/DDX 5 Speed, 3. 54 (no LSD), camper group, trailer folding mirrors, RBR CD/Radio, LT265/75R16E AT OWL tires, trailer tow group, Patroit Blue / Agate, Westin CPS Step Bars, Jordan Utlima Brake Controller, Weather_Guard 664 tool box/
Replaces 98 Jeep Grand Cherokee V8 which is for sale.
Trailite 21' Travel Trailer, ~4000 lbs loaded.

 

[C Schomer]

If it's a hard pull like you're talking about, I drop to 4th at about 67mph. Then I'm in the upper end of 4th. I pull those two passes a little over 65. Craig

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97 3/4Ton, 2WD, 5SP, #11 Plate, AFC kit, 14 Housing, AF942M Air filter, Straight Thru Cat, 4"From Turbo, Airlift, Shortened Frame, Custom Bed, 24CKFS Sunnybrook, HEY FORDBOY POWERSTROKE THIS!

 

[David_VT]

Empty I never go below 50 in 5th, something I have to be careful of when the 'boxes' are turned on.

 

[Dave Fritz]

Some Rules Of Thumb:

To reduce engine vibration that loosens the 5th gear nut: Avoid running below 1600 rpm in 5th gear. With an enhanced 12V or any 24V engine, keep the boost under 20 psi in 5th gear (OD) until the engine is turning above 1800 RPM.

Engine "lugging" is defined as operating under a load great enough that engine speed can not increase at wide open throttle (assuming that the governor is not cutting the throttle).

Always keep an eye on the EGT when the engine has a heavy load. Downshift when EGT reaches the top of the safe range (950 at turbo elbow, 1250 at manifold).

These are conservative guidelines that help maximize engine and transmission life.

Dave

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1994 2500HD 4X4 modified for off-road camping
2001 2500 ETH/DEE QC SB 4X4
Fritz's Dodge Ram Tech Page is now dodgeram.org

 

[K_Arts]

Ken...

Just an FYI... being that you are here in CO... . If I can supply some advice...come to one of our local RMTDR meetings and talk to the guys. We have a couple of guys that really tow a lot and they would be excellent sources. . being that they know the CO terrain and all.

Just my $. 02

Kv

 

[illflem]

What I always learned about lugging is what Dave said, anytime you push down on the accelerator and can't go faster you are lugging it. This doesn't apply to WOT at governed rpm.

 

[klenger]

Dave:
Thanks for the info. I refer to your site often for engine / trans specs, etc. At this time I do not have any guages as the truck is new and I am not planning on any bombing, but I may have to reconsider at some time. I don't remember what RPM I was at in 5th gear, but I was traveling at 65 MPH and the truck managed the terrain with no problem. I felt I had power left over. I can't tell if Im lugging with the CTD like I could with a gasser ... listen for the engine knock.

K_Arts:
I plan to make it to one of the upcomming meetings. For one thing I would like someone with Dodge CTD experience to look over the new truck and check for any of the typical problems that they deliver with, like loose turbo, fuel tank vent, etc. If you have an e-mail list for upcomming events, add my name to the list.

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Ken Lenger
2001. 5 2500 QC 4X4 SWB SLT, ETC/DDX 5 Speed, 3. 54 (no LSD), camper group, trailer folding mirrors, RBR CD/Radio, LT265/75R16E AT OWL tires, trailer tow group, Patroit Blue / Agate, Westin CPS Step Bars, Jordan Utlima Brake Controller, Weather_Guard 664 tool box/
Replaces 98 Jeep Grand Cherokee V8 which is for sale.
Trailite 21' Travel Trailer, ~4000 lbs loaded.

 

[CWade]

After reading Dave's comments, I realize it is possible to overheat a stock "unbombed" engine. Pulled my wife's 11,000 lb 5'er up the 8 mile grade on I-77 at Fancy Gap,VA last Saturday. I downshifted to 5th gear and let it pull with my foot on the floor. It accelerated to 66 mph and held there. Towards to top the pyro was climbing to 1050 degrees or more. I eased off the throttle alittle and kept it at 1000. Now that I think about it, may not let it get that hot next time. My pyro sender is in the exhaust brake elbow, post turbo.

Charlie


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2001. 5 3500 Quad Cab 4X2
HO, 6 spd, 3. 55AS, Jacob's brake, patriot blue, 22K Reese 5th wheel,Reese digital brake controller, Isspro pyro & boost gauges, Snap-On tool box

 

[illflem]

Charlie, I think at even 1000° post turbo you are getting dangerously close to the meltdown zone.

 

[LarryB]

Mine will not reach 1300egt (pre-turbo) unless its over 2200rpm, no matter what gear. I pull mostly in fifth because of my 4. 11s. About the only time I need 4th is when I must slow because of traffic, turns and other nonpower reasons. It,s amazing how low this engine will pull. As far as low 5th gear pulling goes, I have done the preventative 5th gear nut with only around 5000mi on the transmission and figure if I can't use 5th then I'll replace the shaft/gear so I can.

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1972 Chinook class C with 96/215 5spd, 4/5" exh, 4"BD, MagHytec, 85gal fuel, K&N RE0880, AutoMeter, 370's, BD gov kit, BD afc kit, 16cm, 16%btdc, yada-yada-yada
www.fostertruck.com/cummins

 

[RHoblitt]

I pull a 13000 lbs 5th wheeler with my 12 v 98 3500 5sp 2wd reg cab. and never go over 900 egt after the turbo even to the floor in 5th gear. i have a dr performance pump and injectors. 258hp at the rear wheels on a dynojet with a us gear underdrive. with 3. 54 but gears direct the underdrive gives me 4. 44 direct. 4 gear. Had to install a centerforce dual friction clutch, the stock one wouldn't hold under a load. now have 56000 miles on the rig. and plan on keepin it until it wears out. it will break the rear tires loose all 4 on wet pavement in third and fourth gears. the mileage went up a little towing with the dr performance kit. and it is much easier to drive now with a lot less shifting.

 

[Bad340fish]

SO going off this post maybe I can convince my employer that my Battery truck needs a 11 litre cummins instead of the wenus DT 466E lol. I have to apply WOT to get this 35K(210HP) pig moving from a roll. Is that considered lugging? lol
Clark

[This message has been edited by Bad340fish (edited 04-05-2001). ]

 

[LarryB]

I think due to the fact that the governor controls the fuel, you are only lugging when things start to make noise, rattle and shake. Or, egt gets too high.

No easy answer, comes with experience #ad


Larry

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1972 Chinook class C with 96/215 5spd, 4/5" exh, 4"BD, MagHytec, 85gal fuel, K&N RE0880, AutoMeter, 370's, BD gov kit, BD afc kit, 16cm, 16%btdc, yada-yada-yada
www.fostertruck.com/cummins