New owner transmission question

[TSLanier]

In the Airstream Forum, there is the usual discussion of which Tow Vehicle is the best choice. Many endorse the Cummins engine, but say the Dodge transmissions are a problem. I have a new 06 with auto transmission. Is there anything I need to be concerned about or should do to prevent any problems.

Stewart

 

[JValdez]

I think it depends on what your towing and how you drive. The ones that seem to give trouble are the ones that sit behind modified motors. If you leave everything stock I don't think you'll have issues.



I plan on changing to a deep sump pan and will change the fluid every 15,000 miles. Other than that when I have a load I just take my time and let the thing work on it's own. So far so good.

 

[Missouri Mule]

The 47rh and 47re torque convertors would go out. I haven't seen much on the 48re. But you can check out the 3rd generation engine and dirivetrain forum.

 

[easleyj1]

I have 02 with 205,000 miles and the original auto transmission. I drive it like I have some sense and self control. I do not pull in o/d unless I can keep my rpm's up around 2000. I manually shift when in traffic below 40 mph. I do not ever lug the engine. Would I rather have a manual, yes but at stock power the autos will last if you drive it sanely and service it yearly. My $ . 02.

Jonny

P. S. The above is what I do when towing. Empty the only thing I do is keep it out of o/d under 50 mph.

 

[JimBob24]

The 47rh and 47re torque convertors would go out. I haven't seen much on the 48re. But you can check out the 3rd generation engine and dirivetrain forum.

This is true. . I had to upgrade my TC on my '97. I pulled about 11K 5th wheel with my previous '04. 5 and am now pulling about 13K with my '06 with no problems at all with either. Both completely stock.



Jim

 

[MLisle]

install a transmission temp guage.

 

[JMarketos]

I have an '05 with Auto. I agree with the other responses, want to add 0. 02-



Majority of heat gets put into the trans fluid from 2 things:

1) When torque converter is unlocked and slipping (esp. under load)

2) During shifts when the trans clutches disengage & engage



Before I installed the trans oil cooler on mine, I had installed a trans temp gauge (probe in pan),

and the extra deep trans pan. I learned the following through observation:



= Highway crusing at steady speed is among best case (coolest) for auto trans.

= Among worst case is slow crusing with lots of shifts or maneuvering.

Examples are inching through slow traffic on a hot day and / or lots of gear

shifting and pulling, such as when backing a trailer into a tight spot or

trying to satisfy wife's desire for position.

You can really see the trans temp climb quickly (well above 200F)

if you get stuck inching through traffic on a hot day.



Note these (and I think most) auto trucks have a thermal heat exchanger

between the engine coolant and trans fluid, so it will be normal to see

trans coolant warm to 180+ in stock form. Also, these trucks do have

a warning light that's supposed to come on if trans fluid temp reaches

above a certain threshold. But... .



Transmission life is directly related to operating fluid temperature, so

installing an aftermarket trans cooler can bring benefits by lowering the

nominal operating temperature and adding extra margin. A side benefit

from adding a trans cooler to dump trans heat is that it lessens the amount

of trans heat that gets transferred to the engine coolant in extreme

conditions, thus lowering the cooling load on the engine coolant system.



I observed trans temps that quickly climbed to the area of 220+ F while

inching through traffic in Texas at about 100F outside (before installing

trans cooler) I'm convinced it would have gotten way hotter, but

the traffic cleared and I was able to get back up to steady cruising speed.

After that trip, I decided to go the extra mile and install a trans cooler.

(I installed a fan forced B&M super cooler - the large one, and I chose

to install it last in line, just before the fluid goes back to the trans pan)

That dropped trans temps a good solid 40 degrees, without the fan.



On my next trip after installing the trans cooler, I got stuck inching

through slow highway traffic due to an accident, in PA, going up a long

grade, on a hot day. I was a hundred times thankful I had installed

the aux cooler. I tow an enclosed car hauler, probably a lot lighter

than the airstream. (weighs 3K empty).



fwiw, after some experience with the fan forced trans cooler,

I'm not even sure you need pay the extra money for the fan.

But in the spirit of Home Improvement's "Tim the toolman Taylor",

how could you go to all the trouble of installing a trans cooler

without also getting the big fan and another

toggle switch & LED light on the dash ?



Amen