Towing questions

[pmartin]

Need advice. I pull a 32 ft 5th-wheel, 12,500 gross weight, with a stock 1996, 5-speed, 3:54 axle. Truck currently has 136,000 miles and with the exception of a new transfer pump at 80,000 miles, has only required routine maintenance (no 5th gear problems). Mileage is good at 21 empty and 11 to 12 towing. I usually tow at 68 MPH @ 2,000 RPM.



When the 2003 models come out, I plan to buy new truck and also a new 5th wheel that will gross about 14,000 lbs.



I would appreciate hearing from members that pull this much weight with either a 6-speed manual or auto transmission. Does auto hold up? Should I specify a 4:10 axle ratio?



Another worry I have is computer controlled functions on 24-valve engine. Mine has mechanical controls and has been trouble free. How about you who have owned both engines. Is the 24-valve as trouble free as you old 12-valve?

 

[Kimrey]

Pmartin, I have a 28'fiver (30 if you measure front to bumper). See sig for what truck I have. I as well as most folks will recomend the 6 speed, especialy if you plan on bombing. Go to the 24v thread and read up on some things they have done. As far as the electronics holding up, no problem from what I hear. With the settup that I have is great for towing with power. This settup keeps my EGT's in check and I can mash the gas all I want. If you don't mind driving empty I would suggest the 3500 for more stability in the rear, especialy if you ever plan on getting a bigger camper. The only problem with the 6 speed is that the clutch dosen't do well when you start bombing, as I know, I'm currently looking for a new clutch this week. The 6 speed trans. holds up well, its designed is great for towing, some irritations when empty. The gears are closer together. If you weren't towing I would say 5 speed, but towing definatly 6.



All in all I love my 6 speed and my truck. Some folks have had some minor problems with the 6. My suggestion would be search the past post for info on that.



The major problem with the new trucks are the fuel pumps going out in them. Mine has held up so far but maybe by the time you get yours cummins will have fixed the problem.



Hope this helps

 

[CGoyette]

4:10 rear for sure

manual or auto ? your call but with that wieght you do anything but a 4:10 you'd make a mistake



I have it in my truck (see sig) and I am gonna put the DTT TC and VB in this summer, but as fro the rear end you only los 1-2 mpg but in towing you get it back meaning a 3:54 might get 10 mpg and a 4:10 12 mpg



curt

 

[CRuD]

I pull a 5er somewhere between 11 and 12,000 with no problem. When I pull our 5er that is the only time I get to use 1st gear.

I agree with one of the above posts that suggested if you are going to pull that much weight you may want to go to a truck with (training wheels)a 3500. You will gain less side wall flex and more stability.

I would rather have a 5/6 speed over a auto, I think they are more durable in the long run and made for pulling stuff. If you have a lazy left foot/leg then go with the auto

My mileage is roughly 18 emtpy and 12/14 pulling the 5er.

See Ya

Chris

 

[CRuD]

couple of other things

Go with the 4:10 with that weight.

A stock properly valved engine (24valve)will out perform a stock improperly valved engine (12valve).

Flame on.



I run my truck through the gears and leave it there. The only time I down shift is when I get in some serious hills or slow traffic. I will not comfirm or deny that I have down shifted to pass inferior truck going to slow.

See Ya

Chris

 

[WCrovo]

3.54 & 6spd

I tow at 18,000 to 20,000 GCW all over the country. With 6 speed I can always find a sweet spot by down shifting. I think the more gears for towing the better. I'm sure I'd be happy with either. One problem with the 3. 54's is if you don't pay atttention you can creep up to 80+ mph. I have caught myself going well over 80mph more than once(with a load).

 

[pmartin]

Thanks

Thanks for the info. I will probably select 6-speed manual with 4:10 ratio.

 

[Barry]

Excellant Choice!

 

[Batman]

I agree... ... ..... I wanted the six speed, all they had were autos at the time... ... ... ... . but I'm real happy with the DTT mods to the trans.



Best of luck!

 

[rhoads]

Ratio??

Having run may miles with an in-law set up the same as mine except auto/354

and a friend sdt 5 spd/354

in both there rigs they can beat my mpg's Empty 4 gal per gal.

The auto pulling was running so close too my mpg,s you had to have lots of 0's to tell the diff. but when we'd hit the bottom of the hill i havve to hit the passing laneto keep out of his back end, I'd be over the top and he 'd be back there about half way up,and would let it run to catch up.

Now the friend withthe stick He'd be pass the auto and be half way between me and the auto going over the same hill BUT he would mile after mile beat me 1. 2mpg's Didn't matter if we were loaded at 32k Or 26K or less. Note when i say empty i mean no trailer in tow. .

One thing we all have noticed the only thing that effected our mpg's was head wind... using the same trailers trip after trip ,wt may be 22k or 26k+++++++ from Nc - Mn gal usage would always be the same unless the wind kicked up.

Now i am just a orded away from the purchas e of 345 gears,why! put the math to say 700k+ from mile one at say for ease a dollar a gal. . ????? What's it worth to be the first to the top and the last one to the savings acct ?????

To do it over from day one I'd go with the 3:54 hind site is 20/20

BUT-----there is still that problem--loaded heavy and having to back up to that hill to the loading dock and having to slip the clutch to control the speed and maybe i want to rethink it some more!!!!!!!!

 

[rhoads]

forgot

almost forgot those thinking with a auto you can get up that steep grade to the dock,My brother in law has been thru one free new d/c auto ! lasted 2 mounth's(They failed to also replace the torque conv& flush the lines and cooler!! Then they rebuilt the transmission & rpl the converter... then on to a noted ad buyer in a mag'zn most of us read,got the _/D treatment returned a few k later for failure replaced no cost and told that is the last time. When to the added coolerwith temp sensor and fans(bypassed the factory installed cooler---BIG restricton)(streached out the mp's to failure ratio) shift kit name it it's been done ,4 grand in a shop in Il 's best,still no improvement. last time fixed it and his cousin wanted it Only 160k on the rig in 4 years and he runs empty all the time and loves it. .

In short IF you looking a loaded miles day after day use that left foot and right arm...

 

[RColston]

Keep that 96.

My 96 2500 has pulled at 20k CGWR ( at least that is what it says on the label) a total of about 30k Mi. I have the same combination that you have eg. 5spd-3. 54. The problem with the 4. 10's is that typically, most of the time you are not towing and you pay the penalty of the lower gears. IF you do go with the 4. 10's in that overvalved truck (flame flame) plan on getting an aux. overdrive US GEAR, Gear Vendor.



Besides, your truck will miss you.



Rick

 

[rubberneck]

6speed and 3. 54's. if you get the auto, by all means get the 4. 10 but with the 6speed, i think you will kick yourself if you dont get the 3. 54. you can always use 5th on the hills, and you will love the rpm cruisin down the freeway with the 3. 54 in 6th gear. right in the sweet spot on the power band. if you add some power, you wont find yourself downshifting often. I also occasionaly tow a 36 ft alfa triple slide 5er @15k dry, i love the 3. 54s with the 6 speed.

 

[Viper Puller]

I'll add my vote for the 6 speed / 3. 54 combo as well. We pull a 48' 2 car enclosed trailer that weighs about 16,500 lbs when loaded with cars. tools, etc. Our 2001. 5 3500 is still 100% stock but pulls this trailer great... .

 

[klenger]

6 speed 4. 10's are great for towing, and not that bad driving empty. Depends on the ratio of towing to empty driving. Yesterday I drove round trip 220 miles Denver to Vail Pass empty and got 18. 8 MPG, and 5000 on the odometer. I could climb all the passes in 6th gear at 65 with cruise on with plenty of power to spare. 100% stock.

 

[Barry]

Pmartin: A pesky email brought me back to your thread. I see by your sig. that you have a 12 valve truck now. Also, I see where a number of 12 valve owners have replied. Opinions are like belly-buttons... ... ..... most folks have one. I had a 2000/3500 ETC/DEE with 3:54s. I kept it 7 months and 23,000 miles. It would not pull and the fuel mileage was awful. I ordered my 2001/2500 ETH/DEE with the 4:10s. What a differance! It will pull!! The 12 valve engines and the 24 valve engine do bare the same name but their operating personalities are very differant. Do I like my 4:10s all the time... ... ... ... . NO! But I also remember why I have the truck and then I spec the truck to do the job I have the truck for! If I just want to ride to the store, I borrow my wife's Town Car.

 

[BigMike]

See Signature!!! I pull an 11500lbs 5er with my 5speed 3. 54. It is absolutely flawless. I cannot imagine a 4. 10 being any better nor a 6 speed for that matter. I have never exceeded 1000 EGT's and never less than 55 mph up 6% grade in 4th, sometimes 5th.