Trans temp when hauling trailer???

[SDeVries]

For the guys with transtemp gauges, which is better for pulling a trailer, overdrive or third (direct) drive? Ive always been told to pull in drive to keep more fluid flowing through the trans and cooler, but lately I read to pull in overdrive to keep temps down. Which is right?? On my old truck (02 RAM) I would pull in drive to keep exh temps down, but what about trans temp? I am currently driving a stock 07,5. 9 4door 4x4 longbox... Thanks for the input. S DeVries, harley hauler... .....

 

[Motorhead]

I'd say if you can haul in OD without the trans hunting in and out of OD then go for it. You don't say how heavy or what kind of trailer you are hauling. I towed in OD with my old '01. 5 and the trans temp stayed at about 160 degrees. When in OD, I always kept my RPM at 1700rpm or above. The '07 has a lower rear dif than the '02 had provided the '02 was 3. 54. My '01. 5 was 3. 54.
If you have the trailer tow package, you have an extra cooler from the factory.

 

[jelag]

I've been talking to gent with a 6. 7L with the Aisan transmission and 60K miles... he's not had a problem... . and he's towing 20K lbs. however everyone with a 5. 9L and the other auto transmissions have told me that a temp gauge and extra cooling is needed with over 10K in trailer weight. . I'm going to watch my 08 5500... but not as closely as I would in the other transmissions...

Hope this helps...

 

[MA2LA]

the most i've seem my transmission read is 175 and that was on a 100+ deg day pulling an enclosed car trailer that feels like a parachute. on the same day with no load it was just under 170 and no thats its down in the 30s its rare it goes over 140 empty and loaded in stop and go traffic it went up to 165. my sensor is in the pan FYI

 

[cerberusiam]

For the guys with transtemp gauges, which is better for pulling a trailer, overdrive or third (direct) drive? Ive always been told to pull in drive to keep more fluid flowing through the trans and cooler, but lately I read to pull in overdrive to keep temps down. Which is right?? On my old truck (02 RAM) I would pull in drive to keep exh temps down, but what about trans temp? I am currently driving a stock 07,5. 9 4door 4x4 longbox... Thanks for the input. S DeVries, harley hauler... .....

Tow in OD with TH unless you are running under 60 mph in slow-n-go traffic then use drive. If it starts jumping between drive and OD then its time to downshift it but otherwise, OD.



The fluid flow is more a function of rpm's than gear and the 48RE has upped that flow a good bit. I rarely see over 200 degrees towing up to 15k any time of the year. Most of the time its 190-195 locked in OD even in the summer. Where you will see the highest temps will be stop and go driving under 45 mph.



These trucks have an excellent trans cooler system on them and really don't need any help unless you are way over the GCVW or doing a lot slow speed driving. Even then its a bandaid addressing the real issue.



Put it in OD and leave it there until the truck tells you otherwise. Add a little extra power and it won't shift anywhere near as much.

 

[JCostello]

I tow a 7000lb TT with mine in D and never had a problem with the transmission doing any surging at all. I don't have a temp gauge for my trans right now and not sure if I need one. Is it important to have a temp gauge for the transmission if your pulling within the limit, or should you have one for some other reason?
Thanks

 

[SDeVries]

Thanks for the input guys. Im sorry I didnt tell you I pull a 24 foot toy hauler, 7000lbs loaded with bike. S DeVries, Harley Hauler

 

[cerberusiam]

I tow a 7000lb TT with mine in D and never had a problem with the transmission doing any surging at all. I don't have a temp gauge for my trans right now and not sure if I need one. Is it important to have a temp gauge for the transmission if your pulling within the limit, or should you have one for some other reason?

Thanks

With that weight I wouldn't worry too much. Unless you are spending a lot of time in traffic and high temps, the built in temp light will alert you if you have any problems.

 

[Dieselnerd]

I tow a trailer that normally weighs about 14. 5K loaded for travel. My transmission temp runs about 170-175. The temps are about the same when I'm not towing. You can't turn off the OD in my '05 so I always tow in OD.