What is considered "frequent trailer towing"

[Larry Sciblo]

I am going to do my first transmission fluid & filter change, but was wondering. What is considered frequent trailer towing?

So I am at 62K miles and looking at my maintenance schedule and it says to change the transmission fluid and both filters at 60K miles if used with "frequent trailer towing". We went approx. 5K miles and will probably only travel about another 2-3K miles this year.

We towed our 5th wheel around the US (5K miles) and when I got back I changed the oil, both fuel filters, CCV filter (was getting a "perform service" message while towing up steep grades), and lubed the front drive shaft (4x4). NEXT IS THE transmission!!

 

[Wiredawg]

Wow, never thought about quantifying "frequent towing." Mine qualifies as my towing heavy duty cycle is approximately 98% of total miles. I'm thinking you have a 68RFE. What percent of your trucks duty cycle is towing? Estimated miles towing divided by total miles.

If you want to be safe, do the full transmission fluid/filter change at 60K miles.

FYI: I actually misread the transmission fluid change on my former 09 4500 with Aisin, and just did fluid/filter change at 60K miles. Service interval calls for fluid change at 30K miles and fluid/filter change at 60K miles. Dealer said transmission and fluid all looked grat. It also had about a 98% heavy towing duty cycle.

Anyway, I'm curious the answers to your question others may have.

Cheers, Ron

 

[KATOOM]

The definition of frequent is: occurring or done on many occasions, in many cases, or in quick succession.
Sooooo.....

 

[kthaxton]

I'm not too concerned what fits their definition, I tow several times a year, I am happy to change my fluid and filters at 60,000 and not think twice about it....especially considering the older trans service interval.

 

[Cummins12V98]

On the 68 it's VERY easy to do a "fluid exchange" to get all the fluid changed out instead of a half AZZ change.

 

[gtwitch]

First Auto (68RFE) for me in 2500 as last one was NV4500. I will hook my 33 ft bumper pull enclosed snow machine trailer (weighs 10K or so) up to the pickup at the end of October after I get back form Elk hunting (towing a smaller trailer) and I will not unhook the enclosed trailer until about June next spring when we can no longer use the sleds in the Snowy Range here near Laramie! I think this will qualify for frequent towing but not harsh use by any means. I will probably service Trans at about 30K next fall 2020 October before elk hunting and then again 20?? at 60K. My thoughts only for what it's worth!
gtwitch in wyoming

 

[gsbrockman]

On the 68 it's VERY easy to do a "fluid exchange" to get all the fluid changed out instead of a half AZZ change.

Here we go again....

 

[kthaxton]

On the 68 it's VERY easy to do a "fluid exchange" to get all the fluid changed out instead of a half AZZ change.

Here we go again.....remember, that "half AZZ" change is all that is required by the manufacturer, and thats how its been done for decades.

 

[kthaxton]

Also remember, one of the engineers who designed the transmission recommended against your method.

 

[gtwitch]

What did that engineer recommend??

 

[Larry Sciblo]

Here we go again.....remember, that "half AZZ" change is all that is required by the manufacturer, and thats how its been done for decades.

Sorry to dig up some old threads on this subject..LOL

 

[Larry Sciblo]

Wow, never thought about quantifying "frequent towing." Mine qualifies as my towing heavy duty cycle is approximately 98% of total miles. I'm thinking you have a 68RFE. What percent of your trucks duty cycle is towing? Estimated miles towing divided by total miles.

If you want to be safe, do the full transmission fluid/filter change at 60K miles.

FYI: I actually misread the transmission fluid change on my former 09 4500 with Aisin, and just did fluid/filter change at 60K miles. Service interval calls for fluid change at 30K miles and fluid/filter change at 60K miles. Dealer said transmission and fluid all looked grat. It also had about a 98% heavy towing duty cycle.

Anyway, I'm curious the answers to your question others may have.

Cheers, Ron

Hi Ron

Thanks....as a DYI guy....I always like to do basic maintenance on my vehicles. But to answer your question, we will be towing a 12K lb 5er about 25% of the time. But it seems I should not have questioned it, and just change the fluid and filters now. Thanks

 

[gsbrockman]

Hi Ron

Thanks....as a DYI guy....I always like to do basic maintenance on my vehicles. But to answer your question, we will be towing a 12K lb 5er about 25% of the time. But it seems I should not have questioned it, and just change the fluid and filters now. Thanks

Fluid and filters are inexpensive......transmission repairs are expensive. It never hurts to over-maintain the transmission.....

 

[Wiredawg]

Friends,

I like throwing numbers to quantify.... 25% or more duty cycle sounds like good numbers for frequent towing.

Sounds like we have this covered.... Let's go Limu (Emu).

Cheers, Ron

 

[kthaxton]

What did that engineer recommend??

I don't recall him recommend anything specifically in that discussion, I can assume he would recommend the typical pan drop however. He recommended against Cummins12V98's method.

 

[Cummins12V98]

Also remember, one of the engineers who designed the transmission recommended against your method.

Don’t think so

 

[Cummins12V98]

Fluid and filters are inexpensive......transmission repairs are expensive. It never hurts to over-maintain the transmission.....

Huh??? I also like to over maintain my equipment. That’s why “I” change ALL my fluids if possible.

 

[gsbrockman]

Huh??? I also like to over maintain my equipment. That’s why “I” change ALL my fluids if possible.

What % of fluid have you changed in your AS69RC.....

 

[kthaxton]

Don’t think so

Your memory is short. We already went through this once several months ago....you said you didn't recall transengineer saying that, then gsbrockman found the actual thread where he stated this. You forgot again?

 

[gsbrockman]

Your memory is short. We already went through this once several months ago....you said you didn't recall transengineer saying that, then gsbrockman found the actual thread where he stated this. You forgot again?

Moths and goldfish have longer retention....