towing with or without OD?

[jtisdale]

A friend of mine just bought a new (leftover) '03 with an auto and 3. 73's. He has a 26 or 27' TT and wants to know if he can tow it with the OD on. Or, does he have to leave it locked out of OD and slow down to grannys pace (to keep the rpms down to a bearable level)?

Thanks, Jim

 

[SRadke]

He'll get better transmission life if he tows in direct but depending on the weight, speed, and road conditions overdrive is not always bad. If he has the option of overdrive versus direct at 2500 rpm or lessin direct to get the speed he wants, I'd take direct.



-Scott

 

[Bertram65]

I was towing about 5K lbs yesterday through Boston, it would go into OD and not come out unless I slowed way down. It was difficult because i was running between 45-60 mph. I turned OD off and ran it that way at about 50-55. I was running 25-2600 rpms, the EGTs went down about 150 degrees but the engine oil temp went up to about 225 degrees from 210. Much better throttle response and some slight compression brakeing when I let off. Trans never got above 160, when I got home and started backing up a few times it went up to 175.

 

[Wiredawg]

You Need Gauges

You need EGT, transmission Temp and Boost gauges. On my wife's truck, I judge whether to be in overdrive based on EGTs, transmission Temp and seat of the pants feel. I take her out of OD under 60 and try not to have her below 1800 RPM.



Hope this helps, Wiredawg

 

[jtisdale]

Thanks guys. I told him to keep the rpms above 2000 if he is in OD. I also told him to leave the OD off if he is cruising around 55 or 60.

Jim