Attention: TDR Forum Junkies 
I just got back from towing my 27' TT from WI to northern California, and back via Yellowstone. I thought there may be some interest in a few observations I made on this trip.
The truck had 13,000 miles on it when we started ('01 2500, automatic, 3. 54). This was the first big trip with the trailer - only pulled it on two other short trips. I'd never pulled a trailer across the country like this before. I changed the trans. fluid and filter shortly before the trip (at 12,000 miles/1 year old). I also installed a post turbo pyro, trans. temp gauge, and boost gauge. Of course, I also changed the engine oil and filter right before I left. Here's the particulars:
Trailer Weight: Aprox 6,000 lbs
Total Miles: 5,600+ (5,536 documented fuel miles)
Average MPG: 10. 52; Highest: 11. 49 towing, 19. 65 unhooked; Lowest: 8. 49 (bad cross wind)
Total Fuel: 525. 93 gallons
Average Fuel Cost: $1. 61/gallon; Highest: $1. 89; Lowest: $1. 43
Total Fuel Cost: $849. 69
Elapsed Time: 3 weeks.
The truck performed great. I towed out of OD, and the trans. temps stayed around 150 degrees as long as the TC was locked up. I saw trans. temps over 200 at times when pulling a long uphill mountain grade behind slower vehicles in 90+ degree heat or when in city traffic. A few times I saw 250 degrees.
Inspection of the fluid shows it to be ok - good color and smell, so hopefully no harm done. It still works fine. On the hot runs, I had no chance to cool down or pass (2 lane roads). I tried to stick to the interstates as much as possible - the grades are less harsh and passing is more of an option when encountering slower traffic.
It was a great trip. It did confirm to me that the automatic transmission is the weak link. Had I not had a temp gauge, I never would have known the trans. was under stress. It irritates me that they do not hook up a properly engineered automatic to these trucks. I didn't abuse the truck by any means - just towed with it at or below the speed limit. I would most like go with a stick on my next truck because of the towing.
My EGTs were never higher than 800 degrees post turbo. The engine temp stayed at 190-200 degrees and was never a problem. I found out my A-Pillar 3-gauge pod can create a blindspot. I almost ran over a Coyote at Yellowstone when I came around a sharp left turn. My wife saw it way before I did.
The only possible problem is that the engine developed a dull knock or faint tick on the trip. It's barely noticeable - in fact most people wouldn't be able to discern it from the rattle of the engine. Any of us would hear it. There are no other indications of a problem. It runs great - just makes this noise. One suggestion was an injector, so I'll treat the fuel and see if that changes it. Another possibility is it could be just the way it sounds now as it's breaking in (now has 18,600 miles), but that's probably just wishful thinking. It reminds me of a 318 I once had that had a loose wrist pin. It ran great, but had a dull knock.
That's about it. Sorry for the length of this. I hope someone getting ready for a first long towing trip will find this helpful. Anyone with an idea about my engine noise, please throw in your . 02 cents.
The truck had 13,000 miles on it when we started ('01 2500, automatic, 3. 54). This was the first big trip with the trailer - only pulled it on two other short trips. I'd never pulled a trailer across the country like this before. I changed the trans. fluid and filter shortly before the trip (at 12,000 miles/1 year old). I also installed a post turbo pyro, trans. temp gauge, and boost gauge. Of course, I also changed the engine oil and filter right before I left. Here's the particulars:
Trailer Weight: Aprox 6,000 lbs
Total Miles: 5,600+ (5,536 documented fuel miles)
Average MPG: 10. 52; Highest: 11. 49 towing, 19. 65 unhooked; Lowest: 8. 49 (bad cross wind)
Total Fuel: 525. 93 gallons
Average Fuel Cost: $1. 61/gallon; Highest: $1. 89; Lowest: $1. 43
Total Fuel Cost: $849. 69
Elapsed Time: 3 weeks.
The truck performed great. I towed out of OD, and the trans. temps stayed around 150 degrees as long as the TC was locked up. I saw trans. temps over 200 at times when pulling a long uphill mountain grade behind slower vehicles in 90+ degree heat or when in city traffic. A few times I saw 250 degrees.
Inspection of the fluid shows it to be ok - good color and smell, so hopefully no harm done. It still works fine. On the hot runs, I had no chance to cool down or pass (2 lane roads). I tried to stick to the interstates as much as possible - the grades are less harsh and passing is more of an option when encountering slower traffic. It was a great trip. It did confirm to me that the automatic transmission is the weak link. Had I not had a temp gauge, I never would have known the trans. was under stress. It irritates me that they do not hook up a properly engineered automatic to these trucks. I didn't abuse the truck by any means - just towed with it at or below the speed limit. I would most like go with a stick on my next truck because of the towing.
My EGTs were never higher than 800 degrees post turbo. The engine temp stayed at 190-200 degrees and was never a problem. I found out my A-Pillar 3-gauge pod can create a blindspot. I almost ran over a Coyote at Yellowstone when I came around a sharp left turn. My wife saw it way before I did.
The only possible problem is that the engine developed a dull knock or faint tick on the trip. It's barely noticeable - in fact most people wouldn't be able to discern it from the rattle of the engine. Any of us would hear it. There are no other indications of a problem. It runs great - just makes this noise. One suggestion was an injector, so I'll treat the fuel and see if that changes it. Another possibility is it could be just the way it sounds now as it's breaking in (now has 18,600 miles), but that's probably just wishful thinking. It reminds me of a 318 I once had that had a loose wrist pin. It ran great, but had a dull knock.
That's about it. Sorry for the length of this. I hope someone getting ready for a first long towing trip will find this helpful. Anyone with an idea about my engine noise, please throw in your . 02 cents.
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