PurNLoud

okay, I just spent almost an hour reading through past posts and threads and I must be a moron. Forgive me now, but is it better to lug the motor(high gear, low rpm) or to be in lower gear with higher rpms? For an example, those with 6spd, between 43-55 is it better to be in 5th or 6th gear, if just cruising? And if I understand right, by lugging it hard(LOTS of SMOKE) is really bad right?

RAMRODD

I always lug my engine. But lugging it to the point where it starts to smoke I think you better downshift.
What I use as a rule is when your boost falls rapidly it is time to downshift. If I am pulling up a hill and I slow down more then 5 mph I just turn the TST up a notch so I don't have to down shift

mikelr

Heck, I putt around town in 6th at 35mph (flat ground)

Smokin is bad, if you motor is really lugging you'll know it and should have the sense to downshift.

PourinDiesel

Lugging is typically not good for the engine.

MikeyB

Lugging is when it's in high gear/low rpm and the engine doesn't have the ability to accelerate the truck. So cruising at a steady state isn't lugging.
My rule of thumb is always keeping the rpms above 1400, 1600 when towing.

MikeyB