Towing Prep for W350 with auto

[NOMOFO]

About to do my first real towing with my rig. 3 or 4 2200 mile R. T. "s coming up. Moving out to the Rockies.

Would appreciate any suggestions/comments about my preparations. Will first explain everything I've done/plan to do at this point.



1) Bought a 10,000 GVW car hauler, weight distributing hitch, sway control.



2) transmission is 518 auto.

2. 1) Have added Mag Hytec double deep pan. ( 4 extra quarts of fluid )

2. 2) Have trans temp guage

2. 3) Have factory H. D. cooler under bed. Have bypassed thermal switch.

Installed a manual switch/relay. Plan to turn on at 150 degrees.

2. 4) Have newer flex plate (POD's, tweaks, excessive enthusiasm,DOH!)

2. 5) Will entirely flush, incl. T. C. , and replace ATF.

3) Rear end

3. 1) Have installed "E" load range tires ( 2500 lbs. each X 6).

3. 2) Have air bags

3. 3) Have aftermarket sway bar

3. 4) Will replace Diff fluid. ( Change to synthetic???? )

4) Engine

4. 1) Have new radiator

4. 2) Will cange out 12 cm turbo to 16 cm

4. 2) Will change all fluids filters etc. prior to coming long trip.



Towed it home from lot (50 miles) and barely knew it was there. Empty of course. Some highway, some two lane winding road, some grades, some wind, semi's went by both ways. Feels pretty good so far.

Whaddya think?

Thanks ,Bob

 

[paccool]

Sounds like you have covered just about all the bases. One thing would be to adjust the transmission bands when the fluid is being changed.



Turning on the transmission cooler at 150 is good, I have mine set up about the same way with a switch and turn it on at 160 or so. I left the thermal switch hooked up so if I forget to turn it on it will do so by itself.



When towing in the hills, I take my transmission out of OD. When I do this I see about 150 degree drop in the EGT's. Dropping the EGT's also helps keep the engine temps lower which also helps the transmission temps. I can see the water temp go up first and then watch the transmission temp start to follow the same trend. I see you don't have an EGT gauge, I strongly recommend you get one for heavy towing.



Have fun moving, stay safe!

 

[NOMOFO]

Thanks for the response Stan. Good call on the transmission bands. I think the guy I used would do it anyway but I'll certainly ask for the full service.

I actually do have an EGT guage, just mentioned as Hewitt Pyro in my Sig. Did it not come up? Have EGT, Boost, Tach, and Trans Temp guages.

Yes I will take out of overdrive on the grades. Am really aiming to keep everything cool and will set up itinerary to hit the long grades in the hot areas of I 15 esp. between Barstow to Vegas and thereabouts at night.

Not having fun with the moving process yet. Perhaps when the run starts it will be.

I promise to be safe, stay cool, and go slow. Am moving to a slower place. Might as well start practicing!

Thanks again,

Bob

 

[paccool]

Duh!! I didn't even look at your sig, just the list of stuff you made up in the thread. Yep, the pyro is there



You will get a real pull on the hill coming back into CA from Vegas. You should be empty coming back so it won't be too bad.



Stan

 

[NOMOFO]

Oh yeah that one! Not as bad as the one out by Needles though if I remember right. Did that one with the big slide in camper when it was 112 degrees. Wind blowing hard on the nose too and a tumbleweed sticks right in the center of the grill. :--) An already hot running situation got critical quickly so I had to pull off and get that sucker off. That was the first time I wired the underbed trans cooler directly. Clipped the wire off that thermal switch,wired directly and had to open hood and pull fuse to shut it off. That really helped cool everything. It was easy to remember to shut off once the engine was shut down. That thing is loud and really moves some air. Rather musical in that instance!

 

[guava]

How can you tell if the aux transmission cooler is mopar or not. My truck has the one under the bed but its a less than professional installation which leads me to think its aftermarket.



I'm looking to this thread to help me get my 93 back in shape.

 

[paccool]

I believe the coolers were installed at the dealer. That might explain why the "less than professional look" (l'll probably catch it for that comment!). Mine is the same way. Has rubber hoses running from where they cut into the main line at the front of the transmission back to the cooler and the wiring looks aftermarket as well.



Stan

 

[NOMOFO]

Dealer installation is correct. The installation of mine sounds just like Stan's.

I would really like to replumb that thing some day. The dealers have the best access to all the parts of course but I never expect the best work from them. In fact... . well I better stop at that!

Those coolers really work well. My transmission guy says they're one of the best ones he's ever dealt with. While they were still available he used to buy them for other applications. Nice to hear.