HI,

I have been reading on the forum for a little while. I just got a '99 Dodge BR2500 4x4 with the 47RE Transmission and 4.10 gears. The truck is completely stock with 51,000 miles on it. I have read enough to know that the transmissions tend to be weak in stock form, and the gauges need to be a first on my list. (trans, egt, boost, and fuel pressure). I want to be able to pull my 6,000 lb Travel Trailer so I have a couple of questions.

1. I was reading the manual, and it indicated that pulling was allowed in overdrive as long as it wasn't doing alot of shifting? (p.150 of the owners manual) With what everyone has said about this transmission that surely can't be right, can it?

2. I turned off the overdrive to get a sense for what it would be like towing at 55-60 with the 4.10 gears, and it seemed like the engine was really racing (about 2,700 rpm). If this is they way I need to tow, can anyone tell me what kind of mileage they are getting with a similar setup?

I am just looking for some answers and wondering if I would be better to put in 3.55 gears if I am going to tow in 3rd (about 2,350 rpm) instead? Or will this lug the engine down too much in the hills? Any help would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks,

Dan

 

I have the 4.10's in my 01' 3500 and tow my 12K fiver in OD on FLAT terrain. When I get into the hills I always put it in 3rd so that it isn't lugging or hunting in and out of OD.
Haven't had any problems to date!
I get between 10 & 11 MPG as long as I keep it near the speed limit

 

I will let the automatic guru's answer your post, but the difference between 3.55 and 4.10 is only around 200 rpm. 2700 will not hurt the engine, lower would get better mileage but not excessively so. The mileage seems to bottom out at around 11 or so and what you do with it from there is moot. My experience tells me a little different than others report, if you are feathered on the throttle, or light throttle, the rest is not so important. It is the heavy throttle that costs the fuel. Light throttle in direct will probably get you more mileage than heavy throttle in OD.

 

Unless you plan on doing some bombing, your stock trans is likely up to the task of a 6,000 pound trailer. If the transmission isn't "hunting" in and out of overdrive, leave the overdrive on.

 

I've got a 96 CTD with auto and 4:10 rear. I now tow a 8,500 lb (weighed on scales) 5th Wheel. For a couple of years I had a 10,400 5th. My 96 only has 180 hp, and I've always pulled in OD on flat terrain. I couldn't imagine pulling several thousand miles in 3rd. Of course, when I start pulling grades, then I have to shift down to 3rd, making sure I am still in converter lockup. She'll just about hit 60 mph with the hammer down. If the converter unlocks on twisting mountain or long steep grades, then I downshift to 2nd, else trans temps climb rapidly. I wouldn't try to pull very long in 3rd unless the converter is locked. As long as the converter is locked up in 3rd or OD, the trans temp runs no higher than running stop/go city traffic. I now have 175,000 miles on original trans and no problems. I have it serviced each spring (about 20,000 mile intervals). I've towed over the Rockies several times, no problems. With the higher hp of your newer truck, and a lighter trailer, towing with the 4:10 should be a piece of cake. Enjoy!

 

You shouldn't have any problems while only towing 6,000 pounds in OD, most of the time. As others have said, if the tranny starts to hunt between OD and 3rd, if you are running below 50 mph, or if the engine is lugging, then shift to 3rd. Basically, you want to keep the rpms above 1600 or so.

 

I'd say more like above 2000 on hills. The same thing that kills clutches can kill autos...spelled T.O.R.Q.U.E. Peak torque is at like 1400.

You should be fine on flats and light hills. If you have to put your foot into it hard...I'd gear down then.

 

Thanks for the replies. I didn't realize that so many people were pulling their campers in overdrive. I drove the truck empty a little over 1,000 miles and averaged 18.3 mpg over the entire trip. Is this about average? I feel alot more comfortable with the 4.10's if I can pull in overdrive on flat ground. Do people find with the 3.55's that it lugs the truck down too much if it is still stock?

Thanks again.

 

I run my 6 shooter in 6th for all but the more significant hills. I weigh out at 12K #'s and more frontal area than most bumper pull TT's.

just if you do feel it begging for more go, drop a gear.

 

I pull a 30 ft. travel trailer (5900 lbs. unloaded), probably ends up somewhere around 6700 lbs. loaded. I have the 47re tranny and 3.55 rear end and have no trouble. I spend ninety five percent of the time in OD. Occassionally on the steeper highway grades it will downshift to third gear, when I crest the hill I take off the cruise and let it shift back into OD and then reset it.

We just got back from a trip this past weekend with the trailer and it got 15.8 miles per Canadian gallon. I usually set the cruise at 65 mph. and the truck doesn't even work hard.

I always check the tranny fluid and so far so good. It has 38,000 kms on it so far. You should be okay with your set up. (especially with the 4.10's)

A friend of mine that we travel with had a 96 dually with the 4.10 rear end and pulled a 32 ft. Golden Falcon fifth wheel, probably around 9000 lbs. and he said said it rarely downshifted. He had somewhere around 85,000 kms. on it when he traded it and never had any trouble with the tranny.

I would say put her in OD and enjoy the ride.

 

I tow a 10.4K 5er in OD all the time. My DTT smart box is set to shift to OD at 57 mph where my torque is high enough. I watch my EGT and speed when the road starts to climb. I try toshift out of OD manually when the speed drops to below 60 or the EGT approaches 1200. If the tranny is shifting in and out I take it out of OD.