I am pulling my father inlaws camper tomorrow. (26.5 foot 5er weight is 5700 empty) We all have always had ford super duties but I broke the trend and got a dodge. How do I need to pull, OD or OD off??????? How fast can I pull in what gear?

 

I pull a 33 ft 5th wheel. I turn off the OD until I reach cruisung speed. I drive around 70-75 pulling. My Dad has a 40ft 5er and he drives 90!!! <br>I leave OD on unless I start lugging down or it shifts alot while I'm pulling a hill.

 

I have a truck geared the same and a 5er of the same weight. I run in OD from Phenix City to Panama City, FL if you know that (fairly flat) country. If I'm forced under 50mph, I lock out the OD to keep from lugging down.<br><br>On upgrades, I drive by the trans temp gage. If it gets too high or speed drops too much, I get out of OD. If temp continues to climb, I slow down. If temp still climbs, I make notes not to drive that road again while I drop into second and start looking for a turnout to cool down in. <br><br>You probably should install a transmission temperature gage so you know what's happening. Heat kills (in transmissions, anyway). There are several charts around that show the effects of heat on transmission fluid and the bad things that come along.<br><br>Regards, DBF

 

Pull in OD if you can keep the revs over 1900, otherwise use direct. If the tranny starts searching, then drop to direct.<br> I pull a lot heavier than that from way up here to Fla every year without any problems. I do lug down hard up here in the mountains though which makes me use direct.<br> You should be able to run 65 or 70 without any problems, but I'm getting older I guess so I elect to stay just under 65 for better mileage.<br><br>Bill

 

Bill:<br>Good answer use the tach and the EGT gauges for towing and when in the hills watch the trans temp. If you have the HP just keep it over 1900-2000 RPM and you will have no problems.<br>Bruce

 

Install TrannyTemp Gauge, sending unit in-line before you do much towing in overdrive. Keep RPMs up over 2000 to keep them juices flowing through the cool. Synthetic tranny fluid will give you an extra margin of safety. It doesn't lose it's lubicity at higher temps as standard fluid.<br><br>KKee in mind that fuel mileage drops rapidly above 60 mph as wind resistance increases exponentially. From a safety standpoint the Cummins will tow it a lot faster than the brakes were designed to stop it in an emergency. <br><br>