I have a pretty basic question about towing. At what loading and driving conditions should the overdrive be turned off. Next weekend I am borrowing a trailer probably about 3,000 pounds empty (dual axel 14,000 gvw) to go and pick up a friend’s Dodge 2500 4x4 with the V10 in it. I was wondering if the overdrive should be turned off with the trailer empty or just when loaded with the truck. We will be taking the PA turnpike out towards Ohio which I think is moderately hilly. My truck is an 03 with the SO Cummins and the 48RE transmission.

Thanks

Jeff

 

If it was me I wouldn't disable it unless it starts (hunting) shifting in and out....loaded or not. You will learn when to disable it before it shifts.

 

Well here is what I do and you may hear alot of other things also.
You will feel that the truck is loading up turn the OD off. Watch the RPMs and keep them up, turn it off if they are droping, it should shift if they get to low. When going down a steep grade I turn it off, holds pretty good and I tow around 10K.
They call them autos but they put the numbers and a handle and a switch so play with it.

 

I turn it off when I'm loaded and starting up a hill of any magnitude. I romp the gas and never let off unless I have to. I have an SO and in TowHaul with 410s I've never had any problems except on real steep hills when forced to lose momentum. And I drive in So Cal when it's real hot.

Jeff

 

Just use some common sense. If your rig won't accelerate much and your almost full throttle, and the engine is only running 1500 or 1700, then give it a break and go to Tow/Haul. If pulling really hard get it up aroung 2200. If you leave it out of Tow/Haul and it goes in and out of OD it just becomes annoying in the mountains and the OD is pointless. Get the revs up and get in a gear that it can hold and pull well in. You are far better off in a little lower gear that you can hold on the hills. The tranny is calm and steady, the engine is working less to pull the hills, you get a little braking between the uphills, and you have serious power when you step on it. When out on the level ground or when the load is light, that's the time to get into OD and let the engine relax.

Wetspirit