trailer towing

[SRehberg]

This is a probably dumb question, but I am new to trailer towing with the Cummins. Our trailer weighs approx. 5800lbs. dry, so I am definetly within tow ratings, even when loaded. The question is, do you tow in OD on the flat and disengaged in the hills? I think it's obvious for the hills, but there are a lot of flat stretches that OD could be used. Is everyone towing o. k. with the stock setup i. e. valve body, converter etc. ?



Thanks for any information you can pass on.



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'96 2wd auto

 

[chuck3]

Yes you will be ok on the flats and small hills in OD, I tow mine in OD most of the time and have had no problems, but try keeping the RPM's up above 1700 to keep press. up in the trans. I dont know what rear end you have so I'm talking about the 3. 54 which is what I have in mine.

 

[SRehberg]

Thanks for the reply. My truck also has the 3. 54 rear end, but to keep the RPM up at 1700+ is about 65mph by my tach. Here in California the towing speed is 55mph so it may see something around 60mph to try and avoid getting bit. My line pressures have been turned up but otherwise it's completely stock. I plan on having the valve body changed by Bill K. of DTT when we pass thru Abbotsford, B. C. this summer.





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'96 2wd auto, driftwood, longbed, trans guage, no check valve, pulling 27ft. 5th wheel.

 

[dabubba]

if your trucksat 1700 in od at 65 then I'd stay out of od unless your really on the flat--- hard to find in ca I know as far as 55 when towing you can go to 60 when comfy and a little more when you have to-- just watch the big rigs they will slow down a bit when the chp gets on the road- trailer sway is what's going to tip them off - if you have a bumper pull have a sway control added- will help in windy conditions-- also call bill k he'll be more of a help on the od issue--- good luck

 

[SRehberg]

I might try the OD and see how it seems to act, as my stock valve body has had the line pressure turned up some; once I get Bill K. 's valve body, it should help the situation a lot. Now if I can just figure out how to swing a torque converter at the sametime, I would have it made!



I notice in your signatures, that we are all about the same size trailers... . how does the mileage do on the average?



Thanks for the replies.



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'96 2wd, auto

 

[dabubba]

I have a one ton so my average is a bit less probably about 11-15 depending on my right foot- when i had my 2500 stock with the auto and the same trailer i was was getting about 12- 16 and my transmission never worked right--- (alas another story) You will like bill k's set up on your truck- I borrowed a buddies with bill's transmission in it when mine was down to tow my 5'ver to an event and it's money well spent----(he wouldn't let be show up in a borrowed ford) enjoy your trip

 

[SRehberg]

Dabubba, thanks for the information; if I can get mileage like that I will be more than pleased. It's those kind of things that makes it hard to get to upset with these trucks. If I had just been smart enough to get a stick when I bought it, but getting older I thought it would be nice to have a few comforts. Little did I know about the weakness of the autos! Thanks to all for the comforting words, I feel confident the truck can handle the task.





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'96 2wd auto

 

[dabubba]

Well you can't go wrong will bill's stuff-(just my $. 02) but I have spoken with him and seen him stand behind his product, more than once. the major key to a dtt transmission is to be truthfull about how you drive and what mods you have or will have- I've driven a well bommed truck with his transmission- WOW and his test truck too- If I still had my auto I would have upgraded to a dtt too--- Dodge bought back my 99 ca. lemon law ya know-- happy travels