I have a 2001 Dodge 24v Diesel with a 5sp manual, I want to know can I pull 7,000lb 5th wheel in 5th or should I pull it in 4th gear. I would like to at least go 65mph. The bad thing is when pulling it in 4th my rph runs 2500 is that bad?

 

I sort of find the same thing.

5th is a little too slow and/or a little too high RPMs and 6th is a little too fast and/or too low RPMs. I tend to slow down a little and run 5th (your 4th).

 

You may want to look into a double overdrive .

I had a 1998.5 and put 5th gear back on it 6 times over tha course of 1 year. The fix that the transmission man and myself came up with was to take a secnd nut and mill it down to half thickness and used it as a it as a jam nut.

completely replaced 5th gear and the bearings infront of and behind 3 times

that got old.

 

Shouldn't be a problem at all

 

these B series engines run all day long at 2800 rpm in hydraulic crane applications. there will not be a problem with pulling at that rpm other than noise that you have to listen to. do you have 3:73 or 4:10 gears? if it is a 2 wheel drive and 3:73 gears, it may be cheaper to regear. But the earlier mentioned overdrive like a gearvendor would solve it too.

 

I've logged about 170,000 miles in the last three years pulling trailers of all sizes. 1900 rpm gives me about 62 mph in 5th gear with a 3.5 rear and stock size 215/85 tires. For me 65 mph is 2000 rpm which is right where you want to be.

 

Thanks guys, I will run in 5th if my engine temp holds good and the wind is not blowing. I'm going out of state was wondering if I would mess my truck up by pulling long distance in a low gear or high gear. High gear for now low gear for when the wind gets tuff.

 

That's what I do with my old girl. Temps tell me that I need to drop a gear. I have even found that running that way saves fuel compared to trying to keep up speed and rpm's in a taller gear. My change from 411 to 354 gears helped by providing a taller fourth gear which is a little lower than the old fifth gear. I have yet to do a long haul with the 3200 gov. spring but I suspect it will also help by giving more choices.

The only thing that is going to hurt one of these engines is excess heat. Watch the pyro and drive accordingly.

 

If the truck is lugging, downshift.