Towing-No gauges

[mshirley]

I'm pulling a travel trailer for the first time and I don't have gauges. I have a stock 92 Dodge Club Cab diesel,auto trans (K&N filter), 2w drive.

I've read in past posts about taking it out of OD anywhere near hills. Can I drive on a flat stretch in OD? At what highway speeds can I drive when I'm not in OD without overreving the engine? Can I have the info for the the most likely rear end ratios as I won't be able to get my data 'till later.

The trailer is a 23 footer with a gross weight of 6200 lbs.

Thanks in advance.



Mike

 

[MACHINEST]

If it's a stock truck,and the transmission shifts all right ,leave it in OD it will shift down,Just don't lug it,Keep the RPMS up on the Grades 1700-2200 youll be fine.....

 

[cwsoules]

I tow in OD all the time on flat land. If your rpm is over 1800 you should be able to tow in OD with no problem. If it get hilly and your transmission down shifts, lock out OD until you are out of hills. I recommend you get gages installed. Get exhaust gas temperature, turbo boost air pressure and transmission oil temperature gages. Mine are on the drivers window door post.

 

[Schicken bone]

two good replies. keep the rpms up and let the cummins eat!!!

 

[Bill Stockard]

I towed a 9,500 lb fifth wheel trailer all over the western US with a '92 D350, CTD, automatic in stock condition without any gauges for 100k trouble free miles. I shifted out of overdrive when the truck couldn't hold it's speed in hills or long grades. I had to manually shift down to lower gears on the steeper grades both going up and down.



The mechanical governor in the injection pump will limit the max RPM climbing grades, but there is nothing to prevent over speeding the engine going down the grades so be careful going down the steep grades.



Gauges are handy, but not necessary on a stock engine. There are thousands of these trucks in stock condition towing trailers all over the US without gauges.



Bill

 

[keimmmo]

I have towed 10,000 lbs of travel trailer through the mountains of Mexico with the old '92. I have no extra gauges on it. It has survived over 325,000 miles without a major problem.



I would consider a trans temp gauge. I have had the fluid hot enough to discolor it a few times. I don't think you can hurt the motor in stock form!



Steve

 

[RHARVEY]

Bill,



You are correct... there are 100s of trucks if not more that dont have gauges. One would also think that a stock truck would not hit the critical temps(egts) but there are. Maybe that is not the norm but it does happen. .



Rick

 

[LesStallings]

When my truck was stock (pre Edge) is was possible to exceed 1,200° EGT when downshifted (5th. gear) and pulling a 5-6% grade with a loaded trailer.



The truck would not exceed 1,100° EGT in 6th. gear, but would slow down, requiring the downshift.



So my recommendation is to show restraint when you put your truck under heavy load conditions. You may be able to hurt it.

 

[mshirley]

Thanks!

Thanks for the replys. We made it down and back without any trouble at all other than the transmission seems to want to kick out of OD when it shouldn't need to. This started just in the last 100 miles of a 3000 mile trip. I may have to look at the TPS voltages.

The only downside was how much the truck (stock 1992 auto towing a 5000 lb trailer) slowed down on the steeper grades. I even shifted down to 2nd a few times, doing about 30 mph. Is this normal? I also noticed that I could get more speed from cruise control than flooring the pedal. I'm wondering if the linkage is setup this way? Is this also normal?

Thanks again for your posts... . they gave me the needed confidence in my first trailering adventure.



Mike

 

[Nordby]

Not normal. Make sure you are getting full throttle. The throttle linkage has a tendancy to hit one of the fuel lines when wide open on that VE pump. You should feel 5Klbs behind a 2wd 1992 (I have one!) because the truck does not weigh much (relatively), but it should pull the trailer better than what you describe.



Even though your tow is done - what everyone else said, higher rpms when towing uphill (wind, etc). Altitude will cause higher EGT's as well. Watch your water temp gauge - you will notice a place where it runs a bunch higher/cooling fan does not keep up with the water temp. Then, hit your heater full blast, if it knocks your temp down (and roasts your feet!), you are OK there, but any higher than that and you are on the edge of the 1200+ degree pre-turbo.



good luck, jon

 

[Nordby]

Oh, and if you have full throttle, check your air filter, and that your cat is not clogged (hear the turbo wind down at the exhaust pipe after turning it off.

 

[DBCooper]

Don't think the 92s had cats, but I could be wrong. It does sound like your linkage isn't adjusted correctly. 3000 miles for your first trip?! Sweet! By the way, welcome to the TDR... what part of the Island are you from?

 

[Nordby]

Dang, nope, no cat in my 1992. Mixing advice from other forums... .

Trying to figure out what else could cause fuel starvation and air starvation/restriction.



Intercooler hoses? Are they tight? Pump timing? Do the stock mufflers get clogged at all? Any chance your truck has been on a dyno for emissions (or fun!)? What numbers did it show?



jon