My truck generally have firm shifts when not loaded or not pulling anything. I noticed last weekend when pulling a 20-foot equipment trailer loaded with 5 pulling tractors (not certain of the total weight but the tractors are about 1000 lbs each) that it shifts so much smoother. The "jerkyness" completely goes away. Is this to be expected when the truck is working harder? Pls advice. Just curious how this stuff works. Thx.

 

If you've got the overdrive off, it changes the shift points, and does shift smoother. It'll also ride smoother, if the back end is loaded.

 

Overdrive was on. I never turn it off. Yeah a smoother ride is a no brainer. Just curoius about the smoother shifting if its to be expected.

 

I would say yes ,as the computer controls shift rate and points by throttle position