towing speed and rpm in 3rd gear

[Tractorat]

I have an 02 2500, quad cab, 4x4, 3. 54, automatic,completely stock. My trailer ways only about 3000 lbs unloaded. I notice that if I want to go 60-65 mph on the freeway, Im running between 2400 and 2600 rpm in 3rd gear. I thought I should be able to handle that all day long. But, the guy at the dodge dealership says I should slow down to where Im running only about 2100 rpm when cruising.



Any thoughts on where I I should be for a good cruising rpm and speed ?



Thanks

 

[Fireman Dave]

I have the same set-up as you. My trailer weighs about 6k. I see the same RPMs as you, and my truck loves it. It hurts the mileage a little, but 1800 RPMs is too dang low, in my opinion. Towing in 3rd is better for the transmission, too.

 

[D White]

I don't have anywhere near what your set-up is, but do have an auto. Tow 2 different trailers with it, a flatbed that weighs #5000 when loaded and a 5'ver thats around 8K. Like to keep the RPM around 2300.



Doug

 

[Steve M]

I used to run my '98 12v with 5spd/4. 10 2500rpm all day long while towing our 5th wheel. It was rated for 2600rpm and is designed to run at that rpm. I haven't looked at the data tag on my '01 to see what it's rated for but I'm sure it's at least 2600rpm. I'm puzzled. Why do you tow with O/D locked out to tow only 3,000 lbs. ? I leave O/D enabled when we tow our 7000 lb 5th wheel. I only lock out if we're approaching a grade. It's better to tow out of O/D but the noise gets old after awhile to me and my gang.

 

[Jumbo Jet]

RPMs towing 9,000lbs. in O/D with my 4. 10 gears is too low. With O/D Off, RPMs were high and fuel consumption was high.



I added a GearVendors O/D and with the transmission O/D off and the GV O/D on, at 65 mph the RPMs are 2,250 - just about right.



With a 3,000 lb. load I would be cruising in double O/D at about 1,800 RPM @ 75mph, which I did going to Nevada, MO pulling a flat bed trailer with the shell of a '67 Mustang.



I talked to a CTD owner that pulled a stock trailer and he ran his all day long at 2,800 RPM. Said it wouldn't hurt it. He had 170,000 miles on his.

 

[RBales]

RPM & Towing

I tow a 5th wheel weighing somewhere around 10,000 with a 95 2500 auto. With OD locked out and 60 mph I'm turnin 2250 with cruise on. Seems the cummins would do this all day long. Fuel consumption while towing is between 11 & 13 mpg depending on how hilly or windy it is.



DriveBy Bob

 

[Shooter]

That is why I got my Gear Vendors. I can do the speed limit in 3rd GV od at 2200, the speed limit is 75 out here. OR. sucks !! 60 mph Darn tree huggers. Don't know what WA. is, They don't post it so I do 75.

 

[Cummins Corvette]

I talked to an old fellow who hauls 5ers for a living at a truck stop a year or so ago. He had an 89 d350 3 speed auto with 3. 07 gears and no od. He ran at 65 loaded (2600 rpm), 75 unloaded (2900 rpm, as fast as it would go with the pedal to the floor). He replaced his first motor at 900,000 miles because he said it felt a little "tired". He had 350,000 on the second when I talked to him, and it sounded like new.

 

[jimk]

first generation truck

Originally posted by CAnderson

I talked to an old fellow who hauls 5ers for a living at a truck stop a year or so ago. He had an 89 d350 3 speed auto with 3. 07 gears and no od. He ran at 65 loaded (2600 rpm), 75 unloaded (2900 rpm, as fast as it would go with the pedal to the floor). He replaced his first motor at 900,000 miles because he said it felt a little "tired". He had 350,000 on the second when I talked to him, and it sounded like new.

My dad had a Dodge like that with a Automatic 4X4 without overdrive. He drove it like that all the time, foot on the floor, lets see, he said never had a bit of problem with the motor, 10 or 12 transmissions. The first two were under warranty Dodge, and a wheel barrell full of frount and rear break parts. The sorriest brakes I have ever seen. I will say he had great regards for the motor only. JIm

 

[SnoKing]

The main reason I have a 2001. 5 is the crummy brakes on the 93 I traded in. SNOKING

 

[fmj]

I agree with the posts towing out of OD going a little over 60 at about 2300 rpms. The engine seems to love the rpms and keeps heat and etgs down. I don't tow in OD as the truck likes to get to over 70mph and quick. Forget that the speed limit is only 55 out here, after last week blowing out a front tire on my tandum axle enclosed car trailer it got ugly fast. The front tire tread seperated and wrapped around the rear tire. I got off as fast as I could, luckly it was a four lane with a wide shoulder as semi traffic was heavy. The blown tread came off the rear tire as I got on to the shoulder. I was praying that the rear trailer tire wouldn't go also. Towing at 2300 rpms and 60 mph is safer for me and I like that droan of the engine. I also don't have to work the pedal, and shift in and out of OD for long hills. I think the dealer was probably trying to get you better gas milage or something?

 

[CumminsPuller]

I talked with barryg41, he called cummins and asked about the rpm's..... they told him he could run 2750/ 3rd gear all day and all night long. Send him a PM and double check, but I think I got it right.



Jason

 

[Shooter]

You can run them on the governor and not hurt em: You will need one VERY large aux fuel tank.