Towing in Overdrive
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Senior User
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Towing in Overdrive
Providing the tranny isn't slipping in and out constantly, does anyone see a problem with towing heavy loads with overdrive on? For example, if I'm pulling a 15,000# 5th wheel across illinois, which is pretty much flat, it would be nice to run in O/D to get the best fuel economy. What I'm concerned about is whether the extra load while in O/D would cause the tranny to run too hot. Thanks.
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Joined: Jun 2005
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From: Fairfax, VA
get yourself a nice set of gauges... that way you can m onitor everything.. i love mine.. and it only took me 2 hours to install.. www.dieselmanor.com has the best kit IMO and the best step by step directions.. my $.02
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From: New Jersey
Tow in Drive (D) with the tow haul mode on. This is how the torqueshift is designed to tow under all conditions. I have towed up mountains with mine and never used any position other than (D) with tow haul on and never had a problem. This transmission is very smart and does not hunt gears at all. It knows and picks the appropriate gear it needs to be in very efficiently
Jäger
Joined: Jan 2005
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From: Northern Arizona
Originally Posted by johnnysF350
Tow in Drive (D) with the tow haul mode on. This is how the torqueshift is designed to tow under all conditions. I have towed up mountains with mine and never used any position other than (D) with tow haul on and never had a problem. This transmission is very smart and does not hunt gears at all. It knows and picks the appropriate gear it needs to be in very efficiently
FYI, I tried Tow/Haul pulling my old 3,000 pound pop-up trailer and it was too aggressive when down-shifting.
Good question hi-jacker.
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From: Millersville, MD
Originally Posted by hi-jacker
Providing the tranny isn't slipping in and out constantly, does anyone see a problem with towing heavy loads with overdrive on? For example, if I'm pulling a 15,000# 5th wheel across illinois, which is pretty much flat, it would be nice to run in O/D to get the best fuel economy. What I'm concerned about is whether the extra load while in O/D would cause the tranny to run too hot. Thanks.
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Joined: Sep 2006
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From: Santee, CA
This transmission is great. Just set it and forget it (well almost, watch your temp when pulling). In past units, it was advised to not use OD when towing. That is not the case with this one.
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So is there a limit as to when you need to put tow/haul on or if its ok to just leave it off? I towed my enclosed trailer with all my tools the other day (about 7k) with tow/haul on and I don't think I really needed it on... truck really didn't work at all.
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Even if you don't think to use it for accelerating, it sure saves wear on the brakes by using engine braking. I don't know of anyone, or literature anywhere that says what magic pound number to use Tow/Haul mode. In my opinion though, 7K should be heavy enough to have it engaged. It doesn't cost anything, and saves the brakes. Joe.
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From: Fallon,NV
marcs724, If you're towing around 7k pounds, I would have the Tow/Haul on! It makes no difference except that it changes the shifting points which helps to save the tranny. The nice part is that you'll still drop into OD when the truck is rolling along at a stable speed if it deems it possible. But then again, that's all just personal preference. I haven't seen anywhere where it's been determined an actual weight of when the Tow/Haul button needs to be on.
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From: New Jersey
Originally Posted by glsurratt
Put it in Drive, punch in tow/haul but DON'T use Cruise Control. You'll find it hunting all over the place even on those flat Illinois roads where they rise a little bit for the overpasses.
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From: Fallon,NV
I got so sick of the truck hunting for gears while towing 30' enclosed trailers that I went and put a towing module in the truck. Now all that is gone! I absolutely love the new power and even out here in the mountains of the west, it takes a big mountain for it to even think about downshifting out of OD. Even in cruise control now it holds OD just fine and has enough power to get back up to speed without downshifting at 75 mph.....I love it!! This is why I'm such a firm believer in the torque of the diesels: They allow you to tow heavy loads in OD! My friend had me pull his Toy Hauler the other day to the dunes and back, he was so blown away that I was doing 75 mph at roughly 2000rpm that he's sold on the diesel and is looking for a used X PSD! I have to admit that it took a tuner to make me 100% satisfied, but sometimes that's what you have to do to really unleash the power potential in these trucks.
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Originally Posted by dc3655
I got so sick of the truck hunting for gears while towing 30' enclosed trailers that I went and put a towing module in the truck. Now all that is gone! I absolutely love the new power and even out here in the mountains of the west, it takes a big mountain for it to even think about downshifting out of OD. Even in cruise control now it holds OD just fine and has enough power to get back up to speed without downshifting at 75 mph.....I love it!! This is why I'm such a firm believer in the torque of the diesels: They allow you to tow heavy loads in OD! My friend had me pull his Toy Hauler the other day to the dunes and back, he was so blown away that I was doing 75 mph at roughly 2000rpm that he's sold on the diesel and is looking for a used X PSD! I have to admit that it took a tuner to make me 100% satisfied, but sometimes that's what you have to do to really unleash the power potential in these trucks.