pulling in 6th gear

[skorski]

I am pulling a 14 k fifth with 2020 3500 what gear should I be pulling in 5th or 6th I been pulling in 6 but have read 5th is better for truck and trans,

 

[Cummins12V98]

Most likely 6th is fine. Do a test and see what gives you better instant average mileage. Also are you constantly down shifting into 5th on any hill or is it holding?

Based on my experience towing 29k combined with 3.42's and the 68RFE I chose 5th for best overall performance running 1,750rpm in 5th at 60.

With you having different gears, more power and a much lighter 5er I would run 6th.

 

[DHayden]

I tow in 6th with a 20k trailer, but I have 4.10s

 

[skorski]

I also have 3 42s 4x4 I will try 5th as long as it dont kill the fuel mileage

 

[HVAC2]

I lock out 6 on long grades and heavy winds. Only 8500lbs but 34 ft long and a brick. Otherwise it's in 6 and at 70 a sweet spot.

 

[Cummins12V98]

I also have 3 42s 4x4 I will try 5th as long as it dont kill the fuel mileage

Is your 2020 a DRW? If not I thought the 3.42’s went bye bye after 2018.

 

[Wiredawg]

Friends,

Since I've been towing, I like to keep the tach anywhere between 1900 and 2100 RPM, which seems has been the sweetspot on each of the 6 Ram Cummins Trucks. I run 65 mph towing and now also on my Cummins MH.

Hope that provides some help.

Happy Trails, Ron

 

[skorski]

22020 is a srw drive

 

[C M McCormick]

I tow 10,000lb 5th wheel in 6th gear with 3:42. Just don't lug it in 6th. I have the 48RFE and always tow in the tow mode..

Craig

 

[bcbender]

I tow in what ever the AISIN wants to do, only lock out 6th on long grades as has been stated.. ( Towing 16~17k @ 70 ). no problems, and yes, 3:73 is the only ratio available on the 19+ SRW truck otherwise I may have opted for 4:10.

 

[Cummins12V98]

skorski, it's been stated that the ONLY ratio for 19+ RAM SRW trucks is 3.73's. Based on this there is NO reason to lock out 6th on your truck. UNLESS you find your self in hills and are constantly dropping into 5th.

I agree 100% the AISIN does what's needed.

 

[EZeis]

Let the trans do it's thing. If it starts hunting, lock it down as needed. Otherwise let the logic do it's thing. You have to be up to pretty good road speed in tow/haul before it will even shift into 6th.

Note, always keep your transmission software up to date as well!

Earl

 

[bcbender]

My AISIN does not shift into 6th until 65mph and low throttle input.. (in tow / haul mode)

 

[Cummins12V98]

Interesting must be a SRW/gearing issue. Mine drops into 6th under 60mph. I tow mostly in 6th at 1,750rpm.

 

[bcbender]

makes sense if you have 4:10s

 

[Learjet]

I leave it in 6th until such conditions that the transmission is shifting too much between 5-6-5...such as when in good hills....then i lock out 6th and let it rip in 5th

 

[skorski]

thanks for all the info it will help

 

[Cummins2014]

Interesting must be a SRW/gearing issue. Mine drops into 6th under 60mph. I tow mostly in 6th at 1,750rpm.

So is it just the 68rfe that holds 5th gear until 65 in tow/haul ?

 

[bcbender]

No, my 2020 AISIN does not upshift when in tow / haul mode until after 65 and low throttle input.. I assume that 12v's truck has lower gearing so the 5mph difference would likely be the difference in 4:10 - 3:73 as the upshift is more likely RPM based than vehicle speed.

 

[Cummins12V98]

So is it just the 68rfe that holds 5th gear until 65 in tow/haul ?

My 11 HO would drop into 6th somewhere below 62 as I towed a lot in 6th at 62 with the 68RFE and 3.42's.