My owners manual says don't pull in OD if in hilly area or shifting in and out. I'm concerned about pulling in OD since most other vehicles say don't tow in OD. I've seen many comments that people are pulling in OD. Any suggestions. Probably will only pull my 30 ft Jayco 10 or so times a year.

 

You will be fine towing in OD if you keep the RPM's up around 18 to 2k, the only thing if you have the 3.54 gears like me then 2k rpm equals 75 mph which is a little fast to tow I think.<br> But I have allways towed in OD unless I have a very strong headwind or steep grades and or speed dictates otherwise.

 

I tow in OD all the time. However I have a tranny temp guage. If my tranny temp rises to 200 then i slow down and shift into direct until it cools back down. 200000 plus miles and no problems. I also change my tranny oil and filter yearly.

 

Do you think a tranny temp gauge is necessary given the limited towing during a year period? If so, where and how do I get and install.

 

Not really. But you can get one for around 50 bucks or so and have any trans shop install it for you. www.wildcatdiesel.com or<br> www.summittracing.com

 

Welcome to the site BamaCummins,<br> I'm with the rest of the guys. I've towed in OD since I've had the truck and as long as you follow the guidelines that the others have mentioned, you shouldn't have any problems. <br> As for adding a trans temp gauge,,,, I am all for it. After installing mine, (which I did myself with a gauge from AutoMeter and $10 worth of fittings from NAPA) ,,,, I was suprised at how fast the temp can rise and fall. I have learned to change my driving habits when towing in order to get the best performance and the least amount of abuse to the tranny by watching the gauge. Just my $.02 ;D

 

One thing I have learned about trans temps, and I think all will agree is that the temp rises faster and higher in stop and go, or backing trailers up than it ever does going down the road in OD.

 

[quote author=BamaCummins link=board=11;threadid=11033;start=0#105275 date=1045405933]<br>My owners manual says don't pull in OD if in hilly area or shifting in and out. I'm concerned about pulling in OD since most other vehicles say don't tow in OD. I've seen many comments that people are pulling in OD. Any suggestions. Probably will only pull my 30 ft Jayco 10 or so times a year.<br>[/quote]<br><br>BamaCummins,<br> I agree with you. I pull my 30' Jayco about 10 times a year as you. I pull my camper in Southern Illinois to Carlyle Lake. It is fairly flat but, while pulling in OD, on a slight grade my tranny gears up to 3rd. Then when the highway flatens out it will shift back to 4th. It makes me nervious when the tranny shifts so much. After seeing all the tranny problems, I just pull in 3rd. Of course the noise is deafning . Just my .02 cents.