Towing 7k for the first time...lock out 6th?

[SAP2018]

I know this has to be the dumbest question for you guys but here goes:

I’m towing my car and trailer tomorrow for about 200 miles, have to hit a 6% grade for like 10 miles.
I know the weak 68rfe is a piece of glass, my truck is deleted with a MM3 and tunes from DRD with trans tuning, only run the 30hp tune (deleted to get rid of emissions, not to make power)

I love my truck, cost a bunch of money but is my dream truck, I don’t drive the living hell out of it, I just drive, like a normal human being...a human being that doesn’t tow often.

Do I lock out 6th right out of the bat? Do I tow in 6th? I’m sure tow/haul is a must correct? Help a new towing guy out guys/gals please.

Mario.

 

[SAP2018]

I meant lock out 6th by the way, I don’t know how to edit the title.

 

[SAP2018]

Fixed.

 

[beaverguy]

The 68rfe transmission is NOT glass... It's a very solid transmission, by the way towing 7k is nothing to your truck. Just put it in tow haul mode and go JMO of course.

 

[EZeis]

Shouldn't need to lock out any gears unless it's hunting. When in tow/haul, it won't shift to 6th until highway speeds. At least on the Aisin.
I use tow/haul and the exhaust brake at all times, towing or not. The exhaust brake performs better while in two/haul as well.
The 68 trans is a good trans. Abuse/high power mods will kill any trans.
As stated, 7k is not a heavy load.

Earl

 

[Cummins12V98]

Start truck hit EB and TH. Don't forget it's back there! Let it do it's thing, if you find it going back and forth 5-6 6-5 just lock to 5th until terrain levels out.

Report back how well it went!

 

[Newsa]

Because of the tune, lock out 6th on the inclines. Don't wait to see if it hunts because none of us know exactly what your tune will do to your shifts. And none of us know if & how the programming affects TH.

 

[Timd32]

I would think the 68RFE would be the better choice for a deleted truck. They are a beast of transmission, would gladly put one in my 2nd Gen, trade you, can just swap them over at a truck stop, my built 47RE @ retail price of $6k I think its pretty even trade.......

The 66RFE in my 18' gasser is a great transmission. 4.10 LS rears, I haul 2k to 2.5k in the back of the bed it tows great. Reverse up the driveway after getting the mail is like 4k RPM different story.

Yeah some of the tunes are pretty basic and don't account for some of the situations you are going to throw at it. Take control, and see how it feels, set tire psi, use the best straps on your load. Always sucked when our race cars would get loose in the trailer, sometimes after a long night would forget one or two loosen up. Never caused any real damage to anything.

 

[SAP2018]

Thank you for all the replies, as soon as I load up I will post a picture, aired tires back up to 80psi last night, just waiting on my buddy to show up.

I think I’m definitely just throwing it in TH mode and see what she does on the incline, lock it to 5th if needed.

So even with the 68rfe towing in 6th is not a problem huh? At what point is it considered a “Heavy” load?

I will definitely report back tonight, thanks again.

Mario

 

[Jim W]

Mario; Please fill out your signature so, we know what year and model of truck. I would also include any mods to truck.
Now with that being said I will offer you information on my truck which has been modified so, you can make up your mind as what you would like to do.

I installed a Smarty S67 in 2009 with a 60hp/120lb-ft TQ program into the ECM. I have gauges to monitor the EGT, Boost and transmission temps on my truck. There has been no modification of my transmission other than a Mag-Hytec deep dish pan for additional oil capacity and cooling, the diff are 3:73. I tow a 34RL Cedar Creek 5th wheel total GCWR of trailer and truck is 21,000 LBS. I use LT285/70R/17 126R Nitto Dura Grapplers tires on my truck when towing. This is my set-up.

This combination of TV and trailer have been all over the US, I have climbed I70 up and through the EISENHOWER Tunnel. I have also been out east and traveled on I40 through NC and have driven through the Smokey Mountains. With the slopes being anywhere from 6 to 7% on these road ways.

I now have 124,000 miles on my truck with about 102,000 miles with the Smarty installed. I tend to drive with the EB on and in Tow Haul mode, watching the EGT's, Boost pressure and RPM's as we climb up the mountains interstate roadways. I try to keep my EGT's under 1100F, Boost Pressure between 25 and 30 PSI, the engine RPM's between 1600 and 1900. If I need to lock out 6th gear I will, but this usually happens up close to the summit as I approach the crest. Traveling down hill I will remain in what ever gear I was in when I crested the hill. My trans temps are normally around 190 to 200F max towing my trailer. On flat roadways I am in 6th gear and the cruise is set to 65MPH.

My only concern is the fuel gage as I what this gauge make it's way to empty!

 

[Timd32]

They laughed at me with my 18' gasser 2500 moving my sisters camper 9600lb 34' long, 11'1" tall, and right fully so truck is rated around 15k towing thats a 64% load doing the super simple math. Trying to figure out my set up, we got it and will try it out tomorrow or Monday.... i have one really nasty turn on to my road, I know that and expect it so will just be a little more careful.

Its not the heavy part of towing I find, I moved my tire machine and balancer on a small trailer with my 2010 Tahoe, it was an adventure, the TH mode on that coming down a 8% grade it was neat how well it took control, it was a odd load on that trailer and set up.

These hotshot loads are impressive at times keep your eye out.... you will notice them more and more.

 

[beaverguy]

I pull 17k with no problems locked in 5th 3:42 gears. Just start out slow to get load moving & you'll have no problems.. JMO

PS

2016 4x4 no mods all stock.

 

[SAP2018]

 

[EZeis]

View attachment 112124 View attachment 112125

I'd say you're under 7k lbs. May want to lower your ball mount and level out the trailer.


Earl

 

[JR]

I'd say you're under 7k lbs. May want to lower your ball mount and level out the trailer.


Earl

Agreed. Approximately 3200 on the Stang and 2500ish on the trailer. No more than 6k on a good day. SAP, your good on towing in 6th except on the grades. I haul stuff like this quite a bit, if the 68 is a glass transmission it must be of some good temper

Not sure what the blotch is about but that should be 22080 on the gross. 5 ton of gravel, roughly 8k truck and 4k trailer. No sweat.

 

[Larry Willard]

When towing any weight, when it downshifts I use the button to lock that lower gear until topping the hill or stay going down for better exhaust brake operation then shift back to 6th until the next hill.

 

[NIsaacs]

Agreed. Approximately 3200 on the Stang and 2500ish on the trailer. No more than 6k on a good day. SAP, your good on towing in 6th except on the grades. I haul stuff like this quite a bit, if the 68 is a glass transmission it must be of some good temper

Not sure what the blotch is about but that should be 22080 on the gross. 5 ton of gravel, roughly 8k truck and 4k trailer. No sweat.

Yes, I would say about 5500 lbs, car and trailer. If you are going to haul, haul big or stay home, JR

 

[JR]

Yes, I would say about 5500 lbs, car and trailer. If you are going to haul, haul big or stay home, JR

View attachment 112138

Any bigger of a load and I'll be leaving a trail like Hansel and Gretel

With my dump truck TU I am in the market for a real dump trailer. Just as soon as this house stops demanding so much attention

 

[Cummins12V98]

OK since yawl are showing yours I may as well show mine! Double towing my MC trailer.

 

[SAP2018]

So towing was 100% successful! I love this truck even more, and yes at about 6k and towing up a hill was absolutely no problem with this Cummins. My old 5.3L Silverado couldn’t get out of its own way let alone haul my car.

As far as the ball mount, I need to purchase a new one, that was the lowest my current one would go.

THANKS AGAIN FOR ALL THE TIPS AND KNOWLEDGE SHARED!

-Mario