Tow/Haul

[DaveNelson]

When pulling a load, 10,000 lbs, while in tow haul are you able to get into the highest gear, ie same rpm as when not in tow haul? No I'm not pushing the button twice to shut off od. 08 5500 Thanks

 

[HBarlow]

No. Tow/Haul mode locks out 6th gear/second overdrive and top gear in Tow/Haul is 5th gear/first overdrive. If you are in Tow/Haul mode and then depress the button in the end of your shifter twice (to OD lockout then regular drive) the transmission will shift up one more gear and use 6th gear again.

 

[DaveNelson]

Thanks HBarlow... haven't had the 5500 long, wondering if I should have gotten a manual trans. How do you like your CM bed, I have one also, so far so good.

 

[HBarlow]

Thanks HBarlow... haven't had the 5500 long, wondering if I should have gotten a manual trans. How do you like your CM bed, I have one also, so far so good.

Dave,

I think you made the right transmission choice. I don't mean to offend owners of new Rams with the G-56 manual six speed transmission but, in my opinion, the G-56 is not a good choice because of the dual mass flywheel/clutch assembly.

Apparently Dodge decided to use a dual mass flywheel/clutch assembly on trucks with the G-56 for two reasons. One is because the G-56 has an aluminum case. The dual mass flywheel softens the shock loading in case the clutch is engaged too harshly. The second reason was apparently NVH related. The dual mass flywheel reduces or eliminates the old rattle/vibration we heard in Gen II Dodges with the NVG-5600 manual six speed when the driver lugged the engine down to idle in second or third gear then accelerated lightly. The power pulses of the Cummins engine at low rpm would rattle the entire transmission creating an offensive noise like shaking a tin coffee can full of nuts and bolts.

The dual mass flywheel system is trouble prone and very likely to fail with relatively low mileage. I have talked to several unhappy owners of trucks used for towing that have experienced repeat failures of the expensive dual mass flywheel/clutch assembly.

I'm very pleased with my CM bed. I bought the basic flatbed model with rear skirt only and had four boxes mounted under the bed . . . two 30" boxes in front of the rear wheels and smaller ones behind the wheels. I have larger storage volume than the more expensive full skirt beds at a lower price. I will admit that the full skirt beds look a little better though. I saved enough by doing it that way to more than pay for converting all the lights to LED and still had money left over.

 

[KEpperly]

Is the none 6th overdrive thing only on the c&c because my truck will shift into 6th in tow/haul

 

[mpaulson]

Yes, only the cab and chassis versions have the aisin auto and it locks out 6th gear when in tow/haul mode. The pick up truck versions have the 6 rfe transmission and it will go into 6th gear when in tow/haul mode. A better set up in my opinion.