Canuckville

This past weekend towed the new holiday trailer for the first time....35footer. Total travel distance 1800km's.

If I towed with O/D off at 105km/h RPM's were at 2400, EGT's: 650-750 degrees, Tranny temp: 135 degrees, Engine Temp: 188-190 degrees.

Now towing with O/D on at 110 km/h RPM's were at 1750, EGT's: 850-980, Tranny temp: 125 degrees, Engine Temp: 184 degrees.

The question I have is am I safe towing with the overdrive on?

It seemed that everything ran cooler with it on except the EGT's and with them hovering around the 900 mark...will that cause damage?? Plus got better fuel milage as well with the O/D engaged!

Any thougths???
How do you guys pull?

nkennedy

I run in 6th which is probably simular to your OD. I run 62 MPH, 1800 RPM, around 800 to 900 EGT, & Engine temp is around 190 to 195. If I hit a bigger hill I go for 5th though, or the EGT's go to high. Pulling high profile 12Klb fifth wheel. I don't like to drop much below 60 though, or it starts lugging the engine some.

G1625S

I don't see any problem pulling in overdrive with those temps. Cummins says 1250 pre-turbo all day long. I give any pyro about 100 degrees error in either direction and will shift at about 1100, just to be safe. Have maintained 1150 for a 4 mile 6% grade once. Engine went to 200 and the fan brought it back to 190 shortly thereafter. You 24v guys prolly don't have nearly the cooling issues, though.

Brad5502

Higher RPM will lower the EGT's every time. I down shift (manual 5 to 4 or 4 to 3 on a steep hill) when the EGT get near 1100 pre-turbo.

Pulling the 5er on steep long grades, I drop to third and use the accelerator to hold EGTs at 1050-1100. RPMs are usually 22-2500. Engine gauge usually climbs a bit over half way and stays there.

rich

if i ran my trucks towing and never got over 900 i wouldnt get anywhere. 1250 will not hurt the motor. lugging it will kill it quicker then 1200 egt's

Canuckville

Thanks for the info guys. I may just be worrying a little too much!!

parklane

I pull a 10k 5er in OD all the time with no problems. My beef is that in a 2500 mi trip from Ont. Canada to OK and back, I got 9.6 mpg. hand calc. and driving for mpg. Empty is 16 - 18 mpg, so I'm good with that.

BLACKBEAR

Dodge dealer said to not go over 1350. The other Dodge dealer said to not go over 1400 I thank I will ask the third one to see if they tell me somthing else.

HL649

I have both a 95 and a 06 and both are used for pulling heavy (pprox. 15,000 lbs). They have both been to the coast with heavy trailers. I pull with OD until my RPMs drop to 1500 - 1600, then manually drop out of OD. I adjust my speed to keep the RPM below 2500 - 2700 RPM for long durations. I would prefer to keep it around 2000 but it never seems to turn out that way. I manually shift a lot to keep the RPMs where I want them. Don't lug the motor and you should be ok.