Towing with stock 02 Ram?

[chazj]

My Dodge is a stock HO 02 4x4 Ram with the 6 speed manual transmission & 3. 54 rear end. I pull a 9-10K travel trailer. Max torque of 505 ft lbs is between 1600 and 2300 RPM.



In 5th. (between 55-60 mph) I am running around 2200-2300 RPM... upper range of max torque limits.

In 6th... I accomplish the same speeds at roughly 1600-1700 RPM... barely in the lower range of max torque of 505ft lbs. The engine appears to be at ease & with a good response ( no lugging) at these lower RPM's.



I have read here that there are some concerns using OD while towing at lower RPM's. I don't want to screw up the transmission... BUT... would like to use OD for the mileage increase & lower sound level.



Any thoughts on this would be appreciated.

 

[Ragain]

My truck is spec'd like yours. 9,000~10,000# shouldn't be an issue in overdrive. If your on a long pull (incline), keep RPM's up & boost level down. This keeps your EGT's down & doesn't work the engine so hard. I pull way more weight over all 48 & Canada. After over 350,000 mi, I've never had the NV-5600 off the back of the block. Also my ring & pinion gears still have no detectable wear. I like to run in the "sweet spot" of RPM range a little more, so I put the US Gear Underdrive on to give me more gears to select.