G56 towing advice

[Randomrunner12]

Hey all,

For those of you with the G56 equipped trucks, How much weight are you towing when your starting in 1st?

I am about to tow around a 2k trailer empty in a few weekends and after having towed even fully loaded Uhaul trailers 1st is still WAY LOW for my truck. I haven't done it often and have an upgraded clutch among other things just wanting to ask and know.

Thanks for any help that may come.

 

[Newsa]

Not going to claim I've towed alot. Less than 5000 miles of towing split between a 6000 lb bumper pull and a 14-15,000 lb gooseneck.

I always start in 1st when towing anything. But I have the 3.42 rear end. If you have the 3.73 rear end, you might be OK pulling up to 2000 lbs and starting in 1st.

I don't recommend doing it with every start.

I like using first when towing anything because I take my turns deliberately slow and I don't like to rattle my load too much. Granny 1st is a perfect gear to not upset my load. I also don't want to pit extra wear on the clutch. I've got the stock clutch and stock flywheel.

I would ask the people who sold you the upgraded clutch just to be sure

 

[RVTRKN]

I agree with Newsa, anytime you connect a trailer, you should start in 1st. It may seem as a nuisance, but your clutch and DMF will love you for it. My 3500 is at 10K GVW and when I start in 2nd empty, it stalls at times, so I use 1st gear most of the time.

 

[Deleted member 995608]

Always use first to start.....always. And when loaded, stay out of 6th unless your cruising on flat highways.

 

[jgillott]

Always use first to start.....always. And when loaded, stay out of 6th unless your cruising on flat highways.

It's funny you mentioned this. I have always started out in first with my G56 truck. Zero transmission or clutch issues in 132k.

 

[Deleted member 995608]

^^^ Yep. All of my previous Dodge Cummins trucks were hand shakers. I could easily get 100K + out of clutches. Drive it correctly and it will last a very long time.

 

[Newsa]

I agree with Newsa, anytime you connect a trailer, you should start in 1st. It may seem as a nuisance, but your clutch and DMF will love you for it. My 3500 is at 10K GVW and when I start in 2nd empty, it stalls at times, so I use 1st gear most of the time.

And the manual only says It's OK to start in 1st when not towing.

But I use first most of the time.

Above, I meant to say..... "...... might be OK to start in 2nd.

 

[andymac]

On my company trucks (all G56) my employees always use first when hooked to trailers. Typically 32' stock trailers weighing in the 22-26K range loaded. Most of the trucks never see pavement (its a ranching operation) and some stay in 4x4 for weeks at a time. My personal truck (17' G56) has the 3.42 and I rarely use 1st during the course of a day. We just took delivery of a new CC with the G56 (4.10) and that thing will climb a mesquite tree in 1st gear.

 

[Newsa]

On my company trucks (all G56) my employees always use first when hooked to trailers. Typically 32' stock trailers weighing in the 22-26K range loaded. Most of the trucks never see pavement (its a ranching operation) and some stay in 4x4 for weeks at a time. My personal truck (17' G56) has the 3.42 and I rarely use 1st during the course of a day. We just took delivery of a new CC with the G56 (4.10) and that thing will climb a mesquite tree in 1st gear.

Andy, don't stand too close to those trailers. That cattle dung can really fly on a hot day

 

[andymac]

Funny you should say that NEWSA. I am used to that happening all the time. However the trooper that pulled me over for short mud flaps on my trailer would have appreciated knowing that. He wasnt happy with my cattle that day.

 

[Brian Criste]

I start in first with any load other than people most of the time. Maybe not on a downhill... kind of use common sense there. If I need any throttle before the clutch is out in second, I use first. If I'm not through "the friction zone" of the clutch in about 1 second, I uses first. 99% of the time I have a trailer hooked up, I'm over 15k gcw and better than 50% of the time I'm at between 32-33k gcw. I really have a habit of using 1st! Anytime I'm in the pits at a racetrack or in any trailer jockeying situation I used 4-low with the front hubs locked out with BD's kit.
About the only time I use 2nd to start is completely empty on level ground or downhill really.