I am considering changing from a 5 speed to an Auto and wanted to find out what kind of weight are you guys pulling with your trucks?

I pull around 15,000lbs and more total weight ( truck, trailer load etc )

so are you guys with A518 having any issues when towing?

and my truck is a 4x4 also.

Thanks for any info

 

a stock auto generates too much heat to tow efficiently. If you get yourself a good trans, good aftermarket torque converter (goerend, Suncoast) and a decent aftermarket transmission cooler. I'm sure you could tow to your hearts desire.

Or go to a 47rh with lockup. It's amazing how little heat the trans will generate while locked. I had a GVW of about 16k lbs with my ford and the trans gauge never even hit 130F, ever when the converter was locked.

 

what he said....
but if your truck is mostly a tow machine stick with the stick

 

I had 15,000 on mine over the weekend and it towed fine

 

ya I really want a nv4500 or 5600 but they are hard to find around here

 

I have pulled 17k with truck, trailer, tractor and pulled from sea level up to 8500 feet with stock tranny, my truck does have the optional tranny cooler mounted under the bed. Temp didn't get too bad, no problems.

 

I pull between 18-21K once a month. I have to pass a few hills that slow me down quite a bit. Unloaded this truck is awesome. It is surprisingly fast for its age. With a heavy load behind things slow down real fast. I can get up to 60 and hold it w/ OD off but by that point she is really screaming. I don't have a trans gauge installed yet and I don't think I want to know how hot this thing gets. I figure I will pull hard until something breaks or gives out then look for an NV conversion.

Auto trans are fun and easy(driving that is) but a manual is what really shows the pulling potential of these trucks.

 

So with your truck, the trailer ought to be around 8,000 lbs give or take?

 

Or in other words, around the stock tow rating of your average half-ton gasser.

Did she struggle much?

 

I pulled an Army Duece and a half about sixty miles down the interstate on a 28 foot gooseneck and had no issues. GCVW at around 26000. Maintained 60mph but could have done more. The biggest issue with the A518 that I have found is heat that I believe is caused by the non locking torque converter. I should be better off with an auxiliary cooler added to the truck. When these trucks were new you could get an extra cooler/fan mounted on the frame under the cab from the dealer.