I have an '01 6 speed. I am getting ready to haul from central OH to central PA for a car show. I have a 28' enclosed trailer and will be pulling close to 10,000 lbs total with car and trailer. Do you manual guys mainly tow in 5th or 6th? I know I should keep an eye on my EGTs, but thought I could tow in 6th on flat land. What is the general consensus?

Thanks!
James

 

I tow in 6th on open flat roads with the Cruise on. I like to keep my rpms at 2000 or so. If I get a big head wind or I feel like I am lugging it, I drop into 5th. I pull a 34' Living quarter horse trailer. Loaded I am at about 13,000 pounds

 

i tow in 6th unless a major hill drags me down. i usually try to stay in the 2k rpm range. i pull a 25' GN weighing from 7-13k lbs

 

I took the 05 from LA to the Colo. Rockies, OD all the way with a similar load to yours.. Just watch out for the gassers they will box you in..

 

I must be different than you guys, or maybe more weight. Our fiver (we live in it full-time) weighs in at 17K+ lbs, truck and trailer together 25,500 lbs rolling weight. I don't like to run much faster than 60 - 65 mph with that weight. That speed is what hurts me. At 65 mph, I am barely turning 1800-1900 RPMs. Right at the bottom of the power band. If I get into any hills or headwinds, I drop to 5th. That puts me at 2400-2500 RPM. That is in the upper range of the power band, and it doesn't drag down when I get the the little hills or wind gusts. If there are lots of hills, I stay in 5th all day long. Never had any problems, and helps keep the EGTs down also.

 

when im loaded the trailer it's self weighs 19,000 and i tow in 6th gear most of the time unless i have to go through tighter back roads where you have to take the corners much slower then i drop er to 5 th

 

lower then 65 run 5th higher run 6th and i tow heavy loads running 6th combo load sometimes run 24k as long as you are not lugging it then it will be fine

 

I think alot has to do with where your truck stands fueling wise, and do you have the air flow to control the heat. Also gearing makes a big difference in my opinion. At 65mph I only am turning 1750 which does work for me on flat ground because I only tow 8k. One thing to look at though is even though these trucks can pull the weight no problem in sixth with egts in check sometimes its alot more strain on the drivetrain. Some will argue this and others think these trucks can take it with out a single problem. So just try and and see how it goes. Check your milage if I slow down and actually go 55mph here in california. My mileage is the same as when I tow in 6th at 62-65mph. And while in fifth egts are never a concern the power is always on tap because I got the airflow and the rpms are at like 2200rpm. This was with just a comp box, obviously with my current mods that I have just completed. I might have a different story. Haven't had a chance to go camping yet but hopefully that will change in the next couple weeks. It all depends on each truck/trailer setup. Tire size wind resistance the whole nine yards. Sometimes on I-5 the headwind is so bad that my egts are a 1200* just driving along at 60mph. Drop to fifth and the problem is solved. To those who have traveled know that this is a flat road just the wind gets blowing and you got to watch it. Other times it is smooth sailing without out even the slightest concern to egts. Hope this helps but I would say try both and then give us your opinion when you get back. If you have 4.10s I would say yes for sure if you have 3.55s just test out both situations. Have a safe trip.

 

I am towing a 16000 pound high fiver with a 4.10 rear end. I use 6th all the time on the highway and slight hills until I feel it trying to pull too much. I can drop to 55 mph with no problems on the flats.

 

The maximum load for an NV5600 is 26,000 lbs. I've read about a lot of folks on here that defy that number and haul/pull 28,000 or 30,000, or even 32,000 pounds. Of course, they are constantly rebuilding or looking for a stronger box to defy.
To me, (and I only tow/haul 16,500 pounds), it's all by feel as to whether to use 5th or 6th. There are a LOT of variables.
Just know this. The over drive gear in whatever trans you are running is the smallest, lightest, weakest, and least bearing supported. And we use it most of the time?
I like the 3.54:1 gears in my 3/4ton. Since it is pretty tall in 6th, I have the luxury of downshifting and driving slower without screaming the engine. At 65mph, in 6th, I'm turning 1900 rpm. At 55mph I'm pulling 1600 rpm in 6th (right on the start of peak torque, but a bit luggy for a gen 2). If I downshift to 5th for all those reasons we've heard about above, I can do 52mph @1900 rpm, which is basically the sweet spot for a Gen 2 H.O. Cummins, under load, with the knowledge that i'm rolling on a stronger gear.
regards, as always, jefe

 

same here im pulling 17k with 3.54 s and 285 tires and my rpm are in the low area so i just run at 62 mph in 5th and still pull 11-12 mpg on the flat. if im in the 70 mph range it pulls in 6th just fine

 

I tow heavy (34k gcvw) from time to time. Most of the time its about 27k.
I run in OD when I can. When I it a hill and the and rpm starts to drop, I back off the skinny peddle a little and let the rpm drop to about 1600, then shift to 5th. I try to stay around 1900 and 2000 rpm loaded or empty.

 

I pull 38-42K in 6th all the time.

 

I always run in 6th pulling on the highway or interstate, the only time I use 5th is on a steep grade or on slower highways.

 

When fuel prices went up I went from towing 14,000 lbs 65-70 in 6th to 55-60 in 5th. towing mpg went from 10-11 to 13-14 just takes a little longer to get there.