Towing in over drive

[desertryder]

Have a 30ft 5th wheel and sometimes the truck seems to be running around 2400 rpm at 65 with the tow haul switch on.

When I put it in over drive the rmp drops to 1800. I do not have the 4;11 gears.

As long as I am on a flat road not pulling hills is that ok or will it cook my 48re transmission.

The truck feels right with the tow haul option off and I turn it on when pulling hills.

 

[bmoeller]

Generally, if the transmission isn't hunting in and out of O/D, you can use it. That being said, also keep in mind, that the lower RPMs and heavy trailer aren't always a good thing. The lower RPMs also lowers the line pressure in the transmission and torque convertor lock-up clutch. Also, unless D/C also made changes to the valvebody lube circuits, the O/D (at least on a stock 47RE that WAS in my truck), the O/D unit doesn't really get suffient lube.



When I had my new transmission put in, I got to see the inside of the old one. Had 2 burnt clutch packs, and a bad sun gear in the O/D. Not much towing had been done with the truck either.

 

[JimBob24]

I have always pulled my 32' FW in OD when towing level roads like interstates. In hills and in slow and go traffic I turn off the OD. I did this with my previous '97 and now my 04. 5 with no problems. Temps stay good too.

 

[JeepRig]

Pretty much what I do when towing my Jeep, about 7000lbs. I keep it in OD on until I feel that I need to down shift. I don't let the transmission downshift by itself. I keep it in OD off until I get to about 55 or when towing in traffic. It seems to be okay. I have 80k miles on mine with no problems yet.

 

[JRyan]

I’m just a novice but from what I have read on this forum, I thought 1800 RPMs towing what for you is (like me) probably between 10k and 12k load was getting a little too low, although for the engine more than the auto. The inability of the Dodge auto to run at about 65 mph at roughly 2000 or 2100 RPMs is one reason we are considering a manual when we trade up to a 3500 in a few weeks.



To answer your question with regard to the auto itself, I know the 48re is a big improvement from the 47re. The service manager at my dealer tows with a similar setup at 65 mph in OD on interstate (with a 14k fiver) and claims it is not a problem for the 48re. Of course, you have to consider the source.



Maybe other’s with more experience will jump in for both our benefits.

 

[MRosinski]

If the engine isnt lugging my 05' will be in O/D, mainly because I cant lock it out. And thats pulling a 10K enclosed car hauler. When I dropped my trans pan 10,000 miles ago there was quite a bit of material on the magnet but I think the hot juice did that not towing in o/d.

 

[WHazelwood]

I tow a 11K # 5th wheel with an 04. 5 auto and I'll turn off the OD in the mountains but other wise it stays in OD. I usually keep my speed about 65 on the interstates and get about 14 mpg. the Trans temp is lower in OD than not. Truck seems happy at about 2000 rpm.

Keep grinnin,

 

[desertryder]

Thanks fpr the input.

I am heading from Tulare Ca to Twin Falls Id in 2 weeks for some r&r.

Love my Mopar.





wurty

 

[viper700]

desertryder

You did not mention that you have gauges for EGT and transmission temps. Watch the gauges for increase in temps. The transmission temp gauge will warn you on how much heat is building up , the transmission temp when it goes up will take a long time to cool down. On the EGT's when I see a quick increase there if the terrain is rising I will drop out of OD and the EGT's will drop 300 degrees immediately to a safer zone. The gauges are your best protection from overheating the engine and transmission. Drop a gear and lose a few miles an hour will make huge difference in temps and give you better piece of mind. I haul a 15k 3 axel 5er around AZ in the winter months. I also added a 65 hp chip from Qualzilla for towing that helped a lot on power and seemed to be easier on higher temps. I still want to put a MBRP on it and leave the Cat.

 

[desertryder]

Sorry to say no gauges just the stock idiot light for transmission temp.

Knock on wood I have never seen it lit.



Thanks to all.

 

[DaveHess]

Shortly after buying my 2003, I went throught the owners manual and searched out every section concerning towing in O/D. I am sorry I can't quote page numbers from the manual but the short of it was the owners manual was not as clear and concise as my narrow mind would have liked. . So, I wrote a letter to the local district office (minneapolis) regarding my concerns. About two weeks later I received a telephone call from the district office and the short answer of it all was tow in O/D unless she starts to hunt and peck. Otherwise rock-n-roll. My '95 gasser with the 46RH owners manual was adamant to NOT tow in O/D. The 46RH to the best of my knowledge was better known for being weak but I put 96,000 miles on it in 9 years changing the fluid and filter every 25,000 and it never let me down. Not once. So, I continue to pull my 9000# TT in O/D without fail. But here is another one for you all who pull trailers. At 65 MPH the 48RE will drop out of O/D on a hill whereas the same hill at 70 MPH will not??? I am assuming there is a "sweet spot" there when towing.

 

[JeepRig]

At 65 MPH the 48RE will drop out of O/D on a hill whereas the same hill at 70 MPH will not??? I am assuming there is a "sweet spot" there when towing.

This is true, I try to keep my speed close to 70mph and on most interstate hills, it will stay in OD with out any effort at all. Only on the long climbs when I start to get down to about 55mph will I turn OD off.

 

[Maheebaahaabah]

Advice needed: towing this weekend with no EGT gauge yet

I've read the posts in this topic so think I know the answer to my question but want to make sure anyway.



I have a 2003 2500 CTD 4x4 SLT with auto 47RE transmission and 4. 10 axle. This weekend I'm pulling my recently acquired 1989 24-foot camper trailer with GVWR of 5,200 lbs. A friend is going to install a new pillar mount with EGT gauge but hasn't gotten around to it yet so I'm pulling my camper up into the mountains of Southern Utah this weekend with no way of monitoring exhaust temp which has me just a little concerned.



I'll go through a couple of good climbs including 2,000 feet up to 3,300 and then another climb from 3,330 up to 7,500 feet... both climbs are less than 20 miles distance. To ensure that I don't overheat my transmission, how soon should I drop out of O/D to play it safe?



My other question is about heading downhill at the end of my trip. The biggest climb is also the steepest drop and the roads are narrow so I'll only be going about 30 mph or so as I head down the mountain. Should I be out of O/D and also in 2nd gear?



Really appreciate any guidance y'all can give me.



Thanks!

 

[GaryCarter]

If you're pulling a 24 footer with a stock truck, just get in and drive.

Driving in OD will not heat the transmission. Driving in lower gears with the torque converter unlocked is what generates transmission heat. If you have to drive slow, keep the revs up at 2k or so to keep the TC more efficient and cooler.

Unlocked + low revs + high torque is what kills trannies.



Gary

 

[GLASMITHS]

Sorry to say no gauges just the stock idiot light for transmission temp.

Knock on wood I have never seen it lit.



Thanks to all.

If you have guages... DTT says that 1800rpm is ok as long as you are not making more than 12# of boost. If you are at 1800 rpm and pulling the transmission will over-heat. The 2nd gen trucks do better at 2000+.

 

[cwsoules]

A EGT gage is valuable, but I would want a trany gage. I watch mine carefully. I routinely tow at about 62 mph in O/D at about 1900 rpm. I watch my EGT and speed when it gets hilly and shift out of O/D if the speed is dropping to 60. My DTT smart box helps by keeping the transmission locked in 3rd.

 

[RSeymon]

transmission/o.d.

greetings one and all,



My '92 first gen. stays in o. d. on the flats and goes out of o. d. on the climbs.



I'm pulling around 12,000 to 14,000 lbs.



Going to So. utah and up to I-70 no problems. I just watch my gauges and drive accordingly

 

[RDelissen]

little to add, but if I wouldn't be towing in OD I never would go over 50-55 mph :-laf



Just keep EGT and transmission temp in check (in case you don't have gauges, it's one of the better 'investments' if you're seriously towing ... and a boost gauge is also helpful)

 

[DaveHess]

Just a note to add to this thread. I toweerd for the first time with my VA 3. 1. I towed the same route to the same State Park we have numerous times. This time at 65MPH with the VA 3. 1 and the truck did not kick out of O/D once. Even on the grade that would throw it out of O/D at 70 MPH. The MPH dropped 1 MPH, picked that back up and climbed the grade in O/D. I am thrilled. Just my . 02.