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Tow in 5th or 6th?

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FDNYMOPARGUY

I have an '02 2500 Quad Cab 4x4 with the H. O. engine and 6sp transmission. I noticed that when towing my 7000 pound travel trailer my exhaust temps go up then towing in 6th at about 60 mph. The increase is about 100 degrees. This seems to make sense(less gear, more fuel, higher exhaust temps). Is there anyone else pulling a similar wieght, and what gear are you using at highway speeds?
 
We've got a 24 ft 5er that weighs the same as yours - and easily pull in 6th gear - even on moderate upgrades... Just now installing guages, so can't comment on EGT... 7-8% grades usually require dropping to 5th gear to maintain 60+ mph...
 
Bought our 02 in 10/01 and we have 19K towing about the same weight. I use 6th all the time when towing. General rule of thumb is if it will pickup rpm readily its not lugging or overfueling. egt's have to be figured in with that also. I try to not hammer it to hard in the 14-15 hundred range though.

Not many years ago the old N series cummins (743 ci I think) had a very narrow power band. Also the 71 series GM products fell off real quick below 17 hundred. These are motors that were up against the govenor at 2150. The width of the power band on these little B series is nothing short of amazing to me. :D :D :D
 
I have a GCVW of 19k pulling our 5er. I pull in 6th at 65mph and faster. Having the 3. 54 gears any lower speed can tend to lug the engine unless its flat. I really havent noticed a significant difference in mileage driving 65 in 5th gear as well. Average between 10-12 mpg depending on the terrain.
 
On the flats, with 4. 10 gears, I almost always tow in 6th gear. Climbing the passes in CO, I'm usually in 5th. Very rarely use 4th. I have towed our 5er over LeVeta pass in 6th.
 
RThompson



I know all about the N series - I drive one at work - a '95 Seagrave 75' TowerLadder with the N14. Your right on the money, 2150 rpm and thats it! And all the other guys wonder why I'm always manually shifting an automatic!
 
I would run a little faster and use 6th. I have fould I have the best results at 2000 much above or below I loose mpg. 1800 is the bottom of the sweet spot for our engines so if you are pushing the engine and running hot it is probably because you are not spinning fast enough.

Ted



I assume you have 3. 55 gears, may be a little larger tire and fifth gear would work out very well for you.
 
I do have 3. 55 gears. I was thinking about bigger tires, but after taking it on the beach, the 265's did great and I don't want to get into alignment problems that guys have with the bigger tires.
 
With 4. 10's, 65 MPH in 6th is about 2200 RPM, right in the Cummins' sweet spot when towing the 13,500 lb 36' 5ver. I seldom have to use 5th, even on 5-6% grades in the Texas Hill Country.



Rusty
 
FD, Alingment problems coem with altering the suspension and you don't have to do that unless you are going to a much larger tire. You could put on a 255/85, 285/75, 305/70 or 295/75 without any problems or mods.



I have calculated for you the following data based on the metric sizes of the tires and your gearing. This can be done with calculators found at 4lo.com

Code: 
<html>

<body link="#0000d4" vlink=purple>

<table border=0 cellpadding=0 cellspacing=0 width=300 style='border-collapse:

 collapse;table-layout:fixed'>

 <col width=75 span=4>

 <tr height=13>

  <td height=13 width=75>Tire Size</td>

  <td width=75>diameter</td>

  <td width=75>2000 rpm</td>

  <td width=75>2000 rpm</td>

 </tr>

 <tr height=13>

  <td height=13></td>

  <td></td>

  <td>5th gear</td>

  <td>6th gear</td>

 </tr>

 <tr height=13>

  <td height=13>265/75</td>

  <td>31. 6&quot;</td>

  <td align=right>53</td>

  <td align=right>72. 59</td>

 </tr>

 <tr height=13>

  <td height=13>285/75</td>

  <td>32. 8&quot;</td>

  <td align=right>55</td>

  <td align=right>75. 3</td>

 </tr>

 <tr height=13>

  <td height=13>305/70</td>

  <td>32. 8&quot;</td>

  <td align=right>55</td>

  <td align=right>75. 3</td>

 </tr>

 <tr height=13>

  <td height=13>255/85</td>

  <td>33. 1&quot;</td>

  <td align=right>55. 5</td>

  <td align=right>76</td>

 </tr>

 <tr height=13>

  <td height=13>295/75</td>

  <td>33. 4&quot;</td>

  <td align=right>56</td>

  <td align=right>76. 7</td>

 </tr>

</table>

</body>

</html>
 
Last edited:
'01 ETH/DEE 29' Alpenlite

I usually tow in 6 and keep an eye on rpm (likes to be @ 2200 at 70+). I usually drop down as rpm begins falling below 1900.



Klenger - have you used your trailer in the cold? (-10F and lower?)
 
Oly:



We camped in the Fox several times during the winter. The lowest temps were 10 - 20 F. That's cold in my book. No problems with water freezing, but the furnace does run a lot.
 
tow in 5th 0r 6th

I have a 2001 HO six speed with 3. 55 axle. I tow in 6th gear all the time. Still in stock configuration, my truck will never exceed 1100 deg even with the pedal buried to the floor on a 6% grade at 60 mph in 6th gear. I pull a 29 foot Terry Taurus trailer that weighs about 7700 in travel trim. You shouldn't have any problems if you are still stock.
 
Top gear!

I gross 18,500- 20,000, tow in fifth as long as i'm maintaing 1500 or better- torque curve starts at 1400- remember? for me that means i down shift at 55 on a hill- with my mods i pull most all hills without shifting. I will go a little slower idling thru a flat town or something like that.



Also with my mods I almost never see 1150, mostly peak at 1100 and never see higher than 1150 EGT. This combo rocks for towing. Sorry- forgot my sig was clipped- DD1's, Edge EZ, BHAF, 3. 54 with 285/75 tires.



Good luck!
 
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Issue 128 – Digital Version
Digital Magazines
FREE!
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Renew
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Back Issues
Subscription Status
Address Change Form
Buyer's Guides
Ram Diagnostic Trouble Codes
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The Perfect Collection Vol. II
TSB Updates
Dodge/Cummins Historical Overview
Cameron Collection
What Makes Us Tick?
Product Showcase
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