My new truck is a 2001 quad cab dually ctd...with auto and 355 gears...never has even had a goosenck....I am going to put a new gooseneck hich in this week to pull my horse trailer I also need to pull my gooseneck trailer loaded with hay 2-3 times a year...you guys scare me about towing...with the auto...is a horse trailer on occasion or a 32 foot gooseneck loaded with hay a couple times a year gonna cause my trans to croak off?

 

Lots of people do exactly what you intend to with a stock auto just fine.

One thing to keep in mind is the nature of forums like DTR, they tend to attract enthusiasts who modify their trucks and cause stress on parts, and people that develop problems, that's why you see so many issues posted. People that just buy a truck and drive it don't think "Hey, I should find a Cummins forum and let them know my truck is running fine!"

If you want a little insurance you could get a shift kit for like $200, or an upgrades VB for about $500.

 

thanks tex!...I feel a little better now cuz I love my new durge

 

dont tow in overdrive, thats a quick way to send it to its grave.

 

Depends what and where you're towing. I use always use O/D unless the truck seems to be working too hard. That's what the truck was built for.

Dan

 

That was true for the early trucks...Later models don't have that issue.

Tony

 

I agree with displacedtexan, if you were planning on towing more often I would consider the valve body upgrade, possibly a convertor depending on your funds. I have a goerend triple disc convertor, valve body, and tow with the smarty and comp box on. I pull about 20,000 total pounds with my truck and the trans is great. I get about 12 miles per gallon loaded down with a 28 foot enclosed gooseneck. I took a friends 99 1-ton cummins to South Carolina with a 5-speed and 4.10s his truck barely got 9.5 hand calculated mileage. Leave the overdrive on unless it is hunting or shifting in and out of overdrive.

 

I would keep the tranny fluid chaged often.
I would also get a fuel pressure gauge if you do not have one.
I think your truck is rated for about 13,000 lbs. trailer, or so