Towing w/Getrag

[SGibson]

I am driving my dads car up to Minn. this weekend to pick up a new [to me] 93 D-350, then I'm going to rent a car dolly,. put the car on it [2002 chry 300] and tow it 800 miles back to St. Louis. Can I tow this in 5th or should I stay in 4th? The car I figure weighs around #3500. I know this isn't much weight but my getrag exp. is limited to what I've read here. thanks,Steve

 

[ARhine]

I always tow in 5th. Otherwise I am limited to around 62mph tops.



If you are only going 55mph or so it would work to tow in 4th.

 

[1stgen4evr]

Towing

The car does not weigh that much. Actually you are assuming that the Getrag is in good condition. It may or may not be. One way to protect the transmission is to NOT use OD.



That said, I use fifth all the time and I tow more than 8k pounds and up to 19k pounds. I use aw80 gear oil and I overfill. I have 450k miles on the transmission that I recently pulled for overhaul and then discovered that the slack and noise was in the axle so not sure that the Getrag needed anything. My truck is two wheel drive. Since you mention D350, your is as well. IF your transmission is in good shape, the OD is appropriate for the load you are contemplating. Take note of the noises (or lack of noise) when you begin the trip. If all is quiet, let her rip. Keep the rpms up and roll on home.



James

 

[BHiggins]

Just drive it home, you should have nothing to worry about with that kind of weight. I regularly pull an enclosed motocross trailer weighing twice that much with no problem, fifth gear or otherwise.

 

[MMiller]

*IF* its healthy, I would use OD, even at 55. Even stock the truck should handle that load with ease. Listen to James, and then listen to the trans when you first leave. Mine gets real growly when lugged, especially loaded. Don't let it do that, keep the revs up going through the gears and good luck.



This being said, I pull the crap out of my getrag, and run OD whenever I can pull it without downshifting on the hills. My gross weight sometimes runs up to 29,000#



Michael

 

[rlyons]

I've towed my 5th wheel camper all over the country, mountians and all in 5th gear and have had no problems. I use mobile1 10W30 oil and overfill by 1 quart. I agree to listen for noise and also I would crawl under it and check the transmission oil before you leave just for piece of mind.

 

[EZeis]

I'd check all the fluids front to back before heading out. Never know, transmission could be low on fluid and let ya sit. My getrag has almost 306K on it and has been trouble free and works great. Never towed over the GCW rating of 16,000 lbs though and I change it's fluid often with Mobile 1 synthetic. I don't over fill mine. I use 5th gear at all times unless the grade is too steep. Don't lug it.





Earl