Hello, guys. I was pulling my fifth wheel (about 12k) from Fort Stockton, TX to Deming NM on I-10 yesterday. I had the cruise control on, doing 60 MPH (my usual towing sped) in 6th gear (G56 trans). An 18-wheeler was accelerating down an entrance ramp and I attempted to speed up in order to get ahead of him. Still in 6th gear, I pushed the accelerator and the RPM's jumped up to about 2500 or so and then came down again to the usual 1800. It happened again a little later but not with the same swing of RPM's as the first time. Well, at this time I was getting concerned so I started babying the truck until I reached Deming. I did notice a little jump in RPM's a third time but it was very brief. Thinking it might be the clutch I got into the habit of gearing down even on minor hills in order not to strain it too much.

Strange thing is that I just replaced the fuel filter that same day and up until that time the truck was operating fine. Did the fuel filter change create more power, thus causing the clutch slippage? Perhaps it's just a coincidence.

I forgot to mention that the cruise control dropped out when those first two incidents occurred, if that means anything.

Further questions: I have 30k miles on the truck. Is this about the average life span of the stock clutch? How big of a job and how much would the cost of a new (stock) clutch be? I know many of you guys recommend an aftermarket heavier duty clutch instead (I believe it's South Bend) but I'm not sure I want to go that route just now. Please educate me! Thanks....

EDIT: Is anyone familiar with a good shop in Tucson, AZ in the event I do need a new clutch? Thanks again...

 

it mite have slipped alittle but unless it keeps doing it you should be fine i've had mine slip or burned it some when moving loads into a difficult spot and was riding it a bit. i have gotten over a 100k on stock clutches with mild mods before. if starts to do it in all of the gears then i would think it needs to be replaced. but yea climbing hills in 6th at 60 inmo is lugging down the motor with that kind of weight run 5th