Towing with the 47RE

[JEvers]

I know a lot more about these trucks since buying mine and subscribing to TDR. Wish I had an HO with a 48RE but I didn't know the difference when I bought the truck and wound up with an SO, a 47RE, 3. 73 gears and 315 tires.



I only tow about four times a year and that will be my race car. Total weight about 6,000 pounds with trailer. Generally 500 to 600 miles round trip with an occasional 5 to 7% grades. I love the truck the way it is and have no plans for bombing or modifying it as long as it meets my present needs.



What should I know about towing with the 47RE and will it hold up to my limited towing needs? I've heard that I should lock out O/D anytime the trailer is hooked to the truck. Is that correct? Should I change converters? If I did, would it effect my warranty?



I'm not unhappy with my truck. I just don't want to work it beyond it's reasonable limits.

 

[sdbelt]

My 47RH pulled 6k lbs just fine for years on my last truck. That's really not a very heavy load. I did put a TransGo shift kit into it, but never did anything with the TC.

 

[Steve M]

I had a 47RH in my '95, a 47RE in my '01. 5 and a 47RE in my '03. We tow 10,400 lbs of high profile wind resistance. I haven't had any transmission trouble yet. I did have a governor pressure sensor short out on my '01. 5 but it had nothing to do with towing and the transmission's innerds looked fine when they replaced the sensor. My impression has been it's a very strong reliable transmission if used right and with stock power that it's rated for.

 

[JEvers]

I'm encouraged. Do you lock out O/D when towing?

 

[JSears]

I had both and 1995 and a 1999 with Standard Output engines and the 47RE transmission. I used both EXTENSIVELY for towing a trailer that hit the road at 11,940 pounds. Most of my driving is in high altitude mountains and hills.



I used the OD whenever possible (much of the time) but always kept my finger ready to kick out the OD when needed. The weight you are towing will give you no trouble at all.



Regards-JS

 

[Boonieman]

I agree with the folks who have already responded. I had the 01. 5 47RE SO with 3:54's and I regularly pulled a tractor/bushhog with it. I never had a minute's problem with it. I was pulling about 9000 total. A lot of the towing was on winding, country roads up and down hills. Under those conditions I just kept the overdrive off. On the interstate or good roads, I just drove it normally (OD on) and the transmission took care of itself. I just happen to prefer a stick and that's really the only reason I traded, plus I got a little more towing capacity. I loved that truck and wish I could have afforded to keep it AND get an '03.

 

[Acme Racing]

JE,

My truck and load is the same as yours (24' enclosed sprint car trailer) I've been up and down the Interstate with it for a year now. I can think of maybe three times I've turned off the over drive, and even then it was for only a short time while in the mountains. Don't worry about your choice of trucks/equipment. You've got a great rig.

 

[JEvers]

Thank you, gentlemen. I love the truck, but was having second thoughts about my purchase. Happy again.

 

[Bob Wagner]

JEvers you should meet Fred Swanson. Freds in the Phoenix area



http://www.desertdieselparts.com



Take a ride in Freds truck

 

[Photoman]

Sorry I am coming in late on this post, but thought I might have some useful info. First of all, I tow a 9,000 k fiver with my 03 SO, 47RE. I have the 4. 10 rear end, so the RPMs can be tiresome at freeway speeds. I have done several extended RV trips this summer. What seems to work is that I lock out overdrive until I get to freeway speeds and then back off on the pedal a little and re-engage overdrive. Small hills or rolling terrain don't usually demand locking out overdrive. When I get to a serious grade, I normally always lock out overdrive so the transmission is not hunting gears. I have used this technique (recommended by my transmission guy) with the five RVs I have owned and have never had a serious transmission issue. I also change the transmission fluid yearly REGARDLESS of the mileage, since I do a lot of towing. I just wish there was some way I could add an aftermarket brake to this unit without burning my warranty!! Best of luck with your towing.