Tow haul mode on '05's

[Rick@TAD]

A complaint has just come to my attention re: tow/haul mode in the '05 Ram. Apparently overdrive is not cut out when in tow/haul and that this is the way the transmission is configured. We have tried to find a fix but so far there is no way around the electronics. Has anybody heard of this or better yet, have a fix?

 

[GFrance]

:-laf :-laf where you been Rick? There has been a few discusions on this & everyone was hoping you or tommygun were going to have the fix.

 

[ACF]

05 48-re

I like the new set up. I have had both an 04 with the old 48-RE and the new one an 05. I did not like the fact that the old set up appeared to be just an O/D lockout. My new set up is still not as good as Ford/GM but it is getting there. It holds a gear (although sometime I have to "reset it") and I can set it and forget it as I now will go into O/D coming down hills etc. Also I do not know if this has to do with programing but it shifts much better and smoother than my old unit. On my 04 going into torque converter lock-up was almost vilolent. The 05 feels like a old GM transmisson doing it. Still not as good as the others but good enough for me. And it seems like if you leave your Cummins stock these 48's are holding up well.

 

[JCrockett]

I just got done towing a 8000# load up to AK from MT. Ran in TH and when going down hills it shifted into 3rd, I think it works very well. At least for what I have used it for so far. just my . 02

 

[Rick@TAD]

:-laf :-laf where you been Rick? There has been a few discusions on this & everyone was hoping you or tommygun were going to have the fix.

Since this is my first complaint on this I haven't been watching and got a little busy. DC has told us the fix is "just around the corner". Darn long corner if you ask me. We have tried virtually everything internally here except bolting on the kitchen sink and so far, no joy! I was hoping someone else had a fix although it sounds like from some other comments here, some are worse than others. We will keep at it and let you know our progress.

 

[AMink]

Will a 3 way switch (on-off-on) like some use in 2g's work? Normal, lock disabled, lock locked? I don't know about the wiring in the 3g's; I'm sure it's a little more complicated. Just a thought that the gurus have probably already thought of.



Oops, just reread and noticed the "no way around the electronics" part! Nevermind!

 

[MikeBeggy]

See the thread on this forum... . driving on T/H ... ... or something like that. It's same date as this thread.

 

[Rick@TAD]

Will a 3 way switch (on-off-on) like some use in 2g's work? Normal, lock disabled, lock locked? I don't know about the wiring in the 3g's; I'm sure it's a little more complicated. Just a thought that the gurus have probably already thought of.



Oops, just reread and noticed the "no way around the electronics" part! Nevermind!

I am informed this morning that ATS will have a lockout fix ready for this problem in about a week (probably will take a month). This will be an aftermarket item so warranty could be affected. If it in fact works, we will hope DC incorporates this fix into the next generation. Will let you know more when I hear it.

 

[BHolm]

I am a little curious as to why you need an OD lock-out? I have a pair of '03s with the lock-out, it never gets used and those trucks tow for a living. I have been one of those very pleased with how the new T/H works. It holds third with the convertor locked from 35-65 mph even under ~80% throtttle. It will also hold third coming down the mountain with the convertor locked, up and over 2000 rpm in my experience. It takes a little getting used to and is not a manual control but, I do like it a lot better than an OD lock-out since it works as advertised for me. Just trying to picture the situation where you think a lock-out would be better than the way the T/H functions?

 

[Russknh]

I bet this change is in the 06 trucks, unless I remember wrong tomeygun mentioned that the 06 is going to have a dual purpose switch for lockout and lockup or maybe it was something Carlton Bale said when he recently told us about the exhaust brakes being approved in just a couple of weeks for some automatics

 

[Matt400]

I am informed this morning that ATS will have a lockout fix ready for this problem in about a week (probably will take a month).

I wonder if that is related to what was posted in their ad in issue 48-

Capable of down shifts from 4th to 3rd while maintaining lock up

 

[TFucili]

Not mutually exclusive

I am a little curious as to why you need an OD lock-out? I have a pair of '03s with the lock-out, it never gets used and those trucks tow for a living. I have been one of those very pleased with how the new T/H works. It holds third with the convertor locked from 35-65 mph even under ~80% throtttle. It will also hold third coming down the mountain with the convertor locked, up and over 2000 rpm in my experience. It takes a little getting used to and is not a manual control but, I do like it a lot better than an OD lock-out since it works as advertised for me. Just trying to picture the situation where you think a lock-out would be better than the way the T/H functions?

I, personally, would like to have BOTH features. I find it annoying on roads where your speed is hovering in the 45mph range when you momentarily get near 50mph and it GRABS overdrive and proceeds to lug as your ground speed reduces. I know, I know... "more torque than a locomotive, etc. , etc. , etc... . ", but when the whole driveline is thrumming that, my friends, is lugging. In these situations I would prefer to lock out overdrive and let it lock up in third.

 

[BHolm]

"Lugging" to the best of my knowledge is defined as applying full throttle below the torque peak. It doesn't have anything to do with the loaded, low rpm harmonic you describe. If you applied full throttle in that situation the trans would immediately downshift to prevent lugging. I don't see how you could actually lug the engine down with the auto trans period, it will always downshift. So, IMO, while it may feel like you are lugging the engine, by definition you are not doing any damage as the trans wont allow it. I love the deep rumble as it pulls from low rpm, that is what this engine is all about, always has been.



For those wanting more control, why not run the manual? Or you are relegated to pumping $$$ into the auto trans. I still think it works very well just as it is and I still don't see where a lock out would be better. With T/H you pretty much get the same thing, it just happens to be an automatic feature now.

 

[TFucili]

Webster says...

*Lug-to carry or drag with great effort. * In the circunstances I am referring to the engine RPM falls into the 1100-1200 range, and while it does pull itself along it does not sound "happy" doing it. No offense to you, but I've been around all sorts of equipment big and small and I can tell when an engine is out of its sweet spot. As to the six speed, if I could teach my wife to drive stick :-{} I would never own an automatic in the first place. :-laf

 

[mattymac]

I hate to say this but the D-Max has the right set up for this problem IMHO, T/H button that when held for a few seconds doubles as an OD lockout. I think that the T/H on the 05's suck, I would rather have a OD lockout.

 

[Rick@TAD]

I, personally, would like to have BOTH features. I find it annoying on roads where your speed is hovering in the 45mph range when you momentarily get near 50mph and it GRABS overdrive and proceeds to lug as your ground speed reduces. I know, I know... "more torque than a locomotive, etc. , etc. , etc... . ", but when the whole driveline is thrumming that, my friends, is lugging. In these situations I would prefer to lock out overdrive and let it lock up in third.

As to lugging or not, liking the "rumble" or not, everybody has different tastes. Having the ability to lock out does not mean ya gotta use it! The ability to lock out would solve a lot of my customer complaints and maybe I can finally go fishing. Now if DC would just add the in dash trailer brake capability... ... .

 

[TFucili]

I hate to say this but the D-Max has the right set up for this problem IMHO, T/H button that when held for a few seconds doubles as an OD lockout. .

EXACTLY. I have mentioned this in previous posts, to no avail

 

[BHolm]

Wives notwithstanding , and fortunately mine can drive a stick I don't see the motivation for DC to add a bunch of control features to an auto trans. That is precisely why they offer the six speed, for those wanting/needing more control.



What would be an even better solution IMO is to simply incorporate the auto-stick type feature to the auto. Allow a manual mode and place a couple of buttons on the wheel to allow manual shifts. It shouldn't be hard to do but again I think DC sees little incentive.



Another thing both DC and GM need to do is offer a position on the indicator for every gear. Ever notice the Allison trucks only show four gears and ours three?



Lots of way to solve it I guess. I still think the manual trans is the ultimate answer. Possibly the next round of auto transmissions will bring features currently offered on many cars, like the ability to manually shift. Convertor lock-up would be nice too but they will never give us that. Way too much liability.

 

[Matt400]

What would be an even better solution IMO is to simply incorporate the auto-stick type feature to the auto.

Oo. That would just be too slick! The wife has that on her 03 PT Turbo and its real nice. Up or down shift with simple pull of the lever and it holds that gear. Would be real nice on the 48re.

 

[pecandude1]

has anyone found a way to lockout overdrive on the 05s yet?