I just returned from a 3500 mile trip through the MI UP through Duluth and into NW Ontario. Lots of hills, some steep, to challenge my 04.5 CTD with a 48RE and 4.10 rear end.

I usually tow with OD on (AKA tow/haul) and in cruise. I drive the speed limits unless they are very high (75mph..). The rpm sits around 2k at 60mph. The truck shifts up and down as required to maintain the selected (cruise) speed. It manages better downhill in cruise. Downshifting as require and upshifting when necessary. The same going up hills.

I think your dealer needs to take a few CTDs for a test drive before "he" test drives yours.

Good Luck.

Cheers frank

 

I was convinced by this forum and others that knowing my trans temp was worthwhile. The question is about overheating? Spring for the gauge.

As I understand it, shifting out of OD is bad for temps only if the tranny hunts. That's confirmed by my gauge, I rarely see the trans temp climb unless the trans is shifting. If the computer was doing anything because of high temps I'd think it would lock out OD, not lock into OD.

With that said, I agree with the other posts - I'm towing 10K# and can climb most grades at 70 with no troubles. The truck kicks itself out of OD at the right time to acclerate or to hold speed. Sound like something not right with yours. Let us know if DC fixes it.

 

I know this is not entirely related but I saw a 2004.5 600 with twin turbos and big injectors put down 550 horsepower on the Dino Saturday with a stock 48RE so Dodge must be building them a little stronger than you guys think.

 

Belfert...what do you tow and how much does it weigh?

 

Drive your truck with the OD OFF and see how many RPM's you are at ,when your doing 70+mph, then you will understand why it won't come out of OD untill 60-65mph. How much are you pulling?My truck with two polaris quads on the deck and pulling a 2500lb trailer will easily go thru the rockies at 70mph only losing 1 or 2 mph going up 6-7% grades . Start with the basics change the fuel filter, check your air filter and if still no go take it in for a low power complaint.

 

Only my own experience, when I first bought my 2003 Dodge 3500 dually, I went to Arizona to pick up my 5th wheel. A 40' Teton weighting probably over 10k. I went west over the Rockys and hardly ever came out of cruise control. I have now learned not to use OD except on the flats, but the truck was made to haul and that's what it did.

 

I use the OD all the time, all you need to worry about is if the tranny is hunting(shifting back and forth) then you should NOT use OD or you can slow down about 3-5mph and see if it stops. I use Cruz and OD at 65-68mph all the time without problems

 

I think I've mentioned this, but I tow a Jayco Talon toy hauler. A bumper pull that weighs about 8,000lbs.

Brian Elfert

 

I'm pulling 8,000lbs.

I've been to the dealer two or three times for low power. I started this thread while the truck was still sitting at the dealer at the last visit.

I've been researching the Wisconsin lemon law and it appears I could have a case for refund or replacement. Plenty of people have told me my truck should tow much better.

I'm heading out for a 4,000 mile trip and will check filters before I leave.

Brian Elfert

 

Belfert...

What kind of fuel mileage are you getting? Your truck sounds exactly like mine, and until I found this thread, I figured it was normal.

I live in Reno, NV (elevation 4500') and there's a pretty good hill, probably 5-6% grade, on US Hwy 395 northbound out of NV and into California. I go that way frequently during the winter to go snowmobiling.

I tow a small '96 Haulmark enclosed two-place snowmobile trailer. The trailer empty is about 3800 lbs and with two sleds and my gear weighs in at approximately 5000-5200 lbs.

I can approach this hill at 70 or 75, and 3/4 of the way up, I've slowed into the low 60 mph range, and mine will actually drop out of OD into third at that point, and then I'll accelerate again to the top, where it'll go back to OD.

I've been to my dealer three times about crappy fuel mileage... 9-10 around town and 13-ish on the highway unloaded... 10 with the sled trailer. Their response is always the same, "that's normal... there's no EPA rating so we can't do anything about it." Hmph.

So now you've got me wondering about mine too. It's 100% stock power-wise... my only mods being Rickson 19.5" wheels.

Rob