P/up My 44' Featherlite Today & Tow's Sweet

[jtek]

Question is I have a 2005 Dually with a stock Autobox and with a trailer weight of about 15K how should I use the overdrive.

Being in flat land of Houston TX my way is to keep in tow mode (overdrive off) when driving under 45~50 then when entering the on ramp to the freeway (Still somewhat flat) I will disengage (towing switch off) the overdrive.

It is a good load and I can tell the CTD is being used like it should be.

I am just a bit concerned since my bombed 1995 went thru 3 autobox TQ.



Brings a 2nd point...

Being such a large trailer, anyone out there running with rear view cameras?

 

[Gary - K7GLD]

Pulling a 15K rig like yours, I'd sorta suggest staying on good terms with your favorite transmission/drivetrain guy...

 

[Bertram65]

I do not tow in OD below 2000 rpm, I have the 4. 10s and stock tires, this means I have to going about 65mph or better to be in OD, the hard spot is if traffic forces me to run at around 60 mph, lots of rpm for 3rd, but I would rather burn more fuel than kill the auto.

 

[TFucili]

Lockout??

Sorry, but you can't lock out OD on an '05. The tow/haul changes shift points and allows a downshift, but OD is still there. There has been much discussion about the desire to have BOTH tow/haul and lockout. I don't think DC is listening.

 

[jtek]

Thanks

That explains why my old 95 would stay in 3rd gear as on my new 05 seem like it stays in 4th.

 

[RKerner]

Sorry, but you can't lock out OD on an '05. The tow/haul changes shift points and allows a downshift, but OD is still there. There has been much discussion about the desire to have BOTH tow/haul and lockout. I don't think DC is listening.

In order to do that, DC must be incorporating a trans temp sensor to force the OD downshift when things aren't right? At that weight, what do transmission temps do at 60mph in OD? I know EGTs are between 970-1050 and boost is around 13psi in OD and throttle is abut 50%. In 3rd and lockup, EGTs drop to about 860, boost goes to 21psi or so and throttle goes to 75% or so. I don't have a transmission temp gauge yet so I am curious if I am getting the transmission all hot and bothered.

Otherwise, I just use my Tow/Haul for cheap engine braking.



Or is DC just using another PCR (product cost reduction) with the assumption that the majority of customers won't tax their rigs with 14K+?

 

[TFucili]

The downshift is not for component protection, but an attempt to replicate the more sophisticated hill descent control that the Allisons(and the Torqshifts??) have. It's lame in comparison, but better than nothing. I would still like to have the ability to lock out OD when I see fit.

 

[lawdog]

I pull my 40' Fetaherlite, about 10k loaded in OD all over Michigan with no problems ... YET... 3. 73 gears and stock tires, Edge EZ off when towing. .

 

[Dieselnerd]

If you have 4:10 gears you should be within or close to your towing capacity and covered by warranty if something breaks. If you have the 3:73 gears you are towing too heavy and it will be harder on your drivetrain. I would suggest gauges if you don't have them. As others have stated, you can't lock out overdrive on the '05.