just wondering how the 48re is for towing i don't tow a ton or all the time it'll be more for towing a 10k travel trailer in the summer, this will be a daily driver as well any info would be great

 

I drive a 7500 trailer six days a week in hilly terrain. It handles the job with no problems. I did modify my tranny though, I upgraded the valve body and torque converter so that the tranny would last a long time. Before I did the upgrades the tranny was capable but not out standing.
In it's stock condition I got stuck on a steep dirt hill once.
I had overloaded the trailer(a dump trailer) and was in park, when I put it in drive it wasn't going anywhere, the the tires weren't spinning at all
(in 4wheel, I did not try 4 wheel lo) I think I was over GVWR by a ton on a 3500 RAM.

 

The only problem I have with mine is a very small shudder on initial take off while loaded with my 5ver, 15k trailer wheight. Once you getover 3 mph it is gone. Truck is at dealer now for this problem.


Tim

 

48RE tows great. Use your manual 2nd, your OD lockout, and your Tow Haul if you got 'em.

 

I tow in the summer also, but my boat is #6500 empty so may get to #7000 with fuel and stuff. It's a little lighter than your rig but towing is no problem. In the city you may want to use the o/d lockout in the city if you have an 06 -08. With a good heads-up should be able to keep transmission & EGT temps down. I would say to get some gauges, a transmission & EGT, IMO. The transmission gauge is helpfull when backing my boat up the driveway it seems an automatic is not as efficient when backing, inefficiency = heat. Off the highway transmission will be 150* or so and after backing boat 40' temps will climb to 180* easly. One time a few years back in the Ozarks city driving 90*+ temperatures, hills and traffic when I noticed temperatures crowding 170*. I switched to O/D lockout and became a little lighter @ the green lights and transmission temperature came right back down. The EGT helps for cool down mostly for me but charging up a few hills lets me know when I may want to back-off a bit ( it's not a race). My vote is get gauges but keep in mind it's not necessary as long as you are stock and drive normally. Here is a picture of my set-up. Have fun, enjoy the summer ( if it ever gets here ) .

 

I've had no issues towing 11k toyhauler with my stock trans. Even have a little power behind it as shown in my sig.

 

Which year truck ( fill out your sig).
2003 t0 2004 od lockout
2005 Has tow haul but can be flashed for od lock
2006 has both od lockout and tow haul and can use a dealer install exhaust brake.

The stock trans is ok on paved roads,but if towing and you try backing up a grade on gravel then lookout for overheating. Stop put the tans in netural (NOT PARK) and let the trans cool. If you get stuck do not rock back and forth with the stock tc/vb and input.

 

thanks for the posts, i don't have a truck yet but am looking at 06-07 and still debating between mega and quad cabs

 

i tow a 10k fifthwheel with no problems. i use tow/haul even empty. if i had the choice i'd get the mega 1 ton. if you're concerned about towing a fifthwheel then get a superglide hitch made by pull-rite or a pivoting pinbox made by fifthairborne. if i was doing it all over that's what i would do. oh yeah if you're getting a new one they come with a 6 speed auto now...

 

Shortbed RV can you explain what you mean about 2005 can be flashed for O/D lockout? Thanks

 

I put lots of miles pulling my 10k 5th wheel with my mega and other than the stock TC not having a low enough stall speed, and having to manually shift to get 2nd to lock up it works pretty well. I decided rather than spend 2500-3000 on TC,valvebody and misc parts to go along with it, I am in the process of upgrading to a Goerend tranny. When I make my first pull with it in march I will update on the difference between stock and a high performance tranny while towing.

 

I tow 7500-8000lbs enclosed car hauler about 4-5 times a year. I think the converter has too much slip. If your starting from a stop and climbing a hill you have to be patient untill the TC locks up, then it really pulls. Other than that situation I like the 4-speed auto. From what I've read, I think the 6-speed auto would be better as it gives you an extra gear before OD kicks in.

 

I'm not aware of this, please explain.

 

Hi GEJim,
NUMBER: 21-006-07
GROUP: Transmission
DATE: March 20, 2007

SUBJECT:
Flash: New 48RE Feature That Allows Normal Shift Schedule With Full Disable Of 4th Gear Overdrive

OVERVIEW:
This bulletin involves selectively erasing and reprogramming the Cummins Engine Control Module (ECM) with new software.

MODELS:
2005 (DH) Ram Truck (2500/3500)

NOTE: This bulletin applies to vehicles equipped with a 5.9L Cummins turbo-diesel engine and a 48RE automatic transmission (sales codes ETH and DG8
respectively).

SYMPTOM/CONDITION:
1. The following enhancement is included with this software:
a. A new 48RE transmission feature that will allow normal shift schedule with full disable of 4th gear (overdrive gear), when the customer selects the Over-Drive (O/D) switch.
Prior to the implementation of this new transmission feature, the use of the O/D switch changed the automatic transmission shift schedule from a “normal” shift schedule to a tow/haul mode shift schedule, and allowed 4th gear (overdrive gear) engagement.
This new transmission feature will not change the transmission shift schedule, but will allow full 4th gear overdrive disable (lock out). With this new feature the customer will have the “normal” shift schedule with NO overdrive (4th gear).

NOTE: To enable the new 4th gear disable feature, the ECM must first be
reprogrammed (flashed) with the latest software level, and then the 4th gear
disable feature “O/D OFF ENABLE” must be selected (turned on) using the
DRBIII®. Tow/haul mode is not an available feature whenever the DRBIII® has enabled the “O/D OFF ENABLE” selection.

Remember this is a two step process after the reflash the DRBIII must be used. A friend had this done and had to go back a second time because the dealer did not follow the second step.

 

Got it. Thank you. Not sure if I want to do that mod.