towing recommendation

[rrab1]

guy's, I'm going to tow w/my 2000 auto 4x4 this weekend for the first time I'll be pulling a tandem axle flat bed with a john deere 4x4 large lawn tractor. I think the trailer and tractor will weigh less than 5500lbs. should I tow in overdrive or turn it off? The trip will be 100 miles one way with one long hill to climb and I hope this dodge cummins can make it Oo. or the guy I'm doing this for will not let me live it down

thanks for the imput Don

 

[Charley]

I tow a 15,000# fifth wheel with a 2001 4X4, auto, 4:10 at 65/68 MPH on the flat and level in OD. I have to go out of OD on the hills and going up the really, really big hills I have to shift down but all in all it handles it. I don't think I've ever got below about 35 MPH on the 8% grades.



Charley

 

[Jammar9082]

If you have not towed anything before you will notice it but I think the cummins will be just fine and if it is a warm day the engine will purr like a kitten.



I would turn overdrive off but that depends on the transmission, axle ratio and the terrain. I have and automatic with a 3. 54.

 

[Shooter]

First off you probably do not have a 75mph speed limit so OD is out. you should not tow in OD below 1900 rpm, or pull a grade in od. direct lockup should handle it fine.

 

[Fireman Dave]

I agree with the last 2 guys.

 

[D White]

One thing hasn't been mentioned yet. If your gonna be using cruise control while towing, I've found that turning it off for hills keeps it from floor boarding the throttle. Cruise makes mine shift down when it doesn't need to. Surprised me the first time it happened, couldn't believe it shifted. I had plenty of RPM's.



DW

 

[Shooter]

They may have changed the cruise since going fly by wire, if so then the following is not applicable to the newer trucks.



My best recolletion of cruise on the 2k's is that it will downshift when speed drops about 8 - 10 mph from set point. Great indication that gearing down is needed as inadeaqute power is available in the higher gear to maintain speed.

JMHO