Okay I am a newbie trying to learn everything to know with my diesel engine truck and towing. As I have read numerous post some members states to tow with the tow/haul showing "on" indicator, other says dont worry about it if the transmission is not hunting do not worry about it. Here is my situation, I tow a 30 foot travel trailer with weight ditribution system and prodigy brake controller. Last week when I was towing from Northern VA to Williamsburg, VA (pretty flat highway), I started to tow with the overdrive off (showing the tow/haul indicator) and my rpms were higher than without the tow/haul on as expected. It showed when I was driving between 60-65 mph the rpms at approx. 2700-2800 rpm steady. As I expected the engine was louder due to the rpms. Then I took the overdrive off (the indicator tow/haul not showing) and my rpms went down drastically. Driving the same speed as before, between 60-65 mph the rpms were between 1100 to 1200rpms. The engine was very quiet and again my transmission was not hunting in this situation. I know I should purchase some gauges but I am not ready to pay $600 for them yet. My question is, should I drive with the overdrive off (indicator tow/haul showing), and understand that my rpms will be higher (scary because they get semi-close to the red numbers) and I will consume more diesel fuel, or keep driving the highway with the overdrive on (no indicator showing) because the transmission does not hunt? What is the right way to do this? By the way the trailer, people and equipment weights approximately no more than 9000lbs.
I will be towing in a few weeks the trailer from Northern VA to Gettysburg PA and again this trip will be pretty flat on the highway. Thank you very much for your assistance.

 

Something does not seem right. If you were going 60-65 MPH out of OD (light on dash lite) at 2700 RPM's which is normal, than your RPM's in OD at the same speed should be around 1800-1900 RPM's.

The rule of thumb is leave it in OD as long as the transmission is not shifting in and out of OD or as long as your RPM's are above 1700. The transmission will be o.k.

I drive by the rule of 1700 RPM's minimium.

As a side note the engine will run at 2700 RPM's 24/7 without engine damage. The only down side will be it will consume alot more fuel and the engine will need a rebuild at 450,000 miles instead of 500,000 miles

 

After looking more closely at your signature you have the upgraded 48RE transmission which is even stronger than the 47RE which was in the 2002 and earlier models and a few 2003 models. Don't worry about your trans until you start upping the Hp alot more.

 

Run the truck in OD. If the tranny starts to hunt for gears, not just kicking down because of upgrade, then kick the OD OFF(Tow/Haul) Once you start down the grade or go to a flat grade kick it off again. Towing at the speeds you are talking about is correct for that rpms. The Cummins engine like to hang out around 1800 rpms all day long and will get the best mileage there.
I get about 12mpg towing my 5VR at about 1800 rpms (65-68mph) Non towing I'm doing about 70-75mph, if I slow down some I'd get the usuall 24mpg vice the 18-24 mpg

Love them Cummins.

Also remember you don't have to be the first up the hill, but yo do want to be the safest and be able to make back down the other side. Just remember those other guys you see sittting on the side of the road with their trucks pukeing and coughing up smoke

 

wengerda,
It's always good to see another Virginia Cummins owner on the site!
I have towed my 5er using the same techniques as the other two fellas have stated. Our Keystone Double-slide Cougar is right at 10,000lbs. and this towing was done while the truck was completely stock with a 3.54 rear. You should have no problem at all with the newer 48RE and 4.10's.
I have not pulled the 5er since adding the EZ and upgrading the tranny,,,,,,,,, but I am looking forward to it! When I do,,, I'll use the same rule-of-thumb like I always did.....
~Keep the RPM's above 1700 when in OD
~DO NOT let the tranny hunt in and out of OD
~And smile real big when passing other brands!
(I was very happy with the way it pulled when stock,,,,,,,,,,,,,, then I caught the BOMB bug with a little hep from this site and the "POWER-PUSHERS" that hang around here,,,,,,,,)
*CAUTION** This power stuff is addicting!

 

Welcome to the DTR family.
All good advice.
Diesels ROCK.
Watch out for BOMBitis.

I'm in the 7-Corners area.