towing question

[Cobra]

My neighbor just bought a 1995 RAM 3500 Cummins with auto trans. It replaces a Ford F250 diesel with 5 spd. I can't answer his question becuase I have a 5 spd and never had an auto. When pulling his 5e r (8,000 lbs) should he manually shift from 1 to2 to Drive or just leave it in drive and let it shift up on its own?

Also, he has overdrive and wonders how he should use it while pulling the 5er. Any tips would be appreciated.

Thanks guys.

 

[Dkevdog]

While I only have a 2500, I regularly tow a 8500lb plus fiver, and I have never (under normal driving conditions) had to do any manual shifting at all. I do have the DTT upgrade, but even before I got the upgrade I just let the transmission do its own thing. The only exception is a super steep driveway, where I will then put it in first or second manually.



I doubt your friend will have any issues at all leaving it drive. As far as the OD goes, I take it out of OD manually on long steep grades. Not that the truck can't do it, the EGT's get too high. With a 4:10, out of OD that puts me crawlin' but still pullin' hard at about 45 @ 2300 RPM. Other than a grade though, OD is fine for me.



Kev