The classic mistake for drivers new to towing is to think about power and not about braking. The above posts seem to lean in that dangerous direction.

The first thing to do to protect the automatic transmission is to change ATF prior to each tow. Cheap insurance, and it gets you under the truck where you might spot other problems.

Tow at slower speeds than your instinct tells you too, until you have racked up 10,000 miles or so of experience.

 

Thank you very much for your recomendations guys. I do have the factory tow package, and my brakes are in good condition. (I know they are a little under powered if were to be towing anything major, but they are in good working order, even though stock) and the trailer has surge brakes as well.

 

If you have a trans cooler good , If not get one just good insurance .. As i dont tow much but i do haul sometimes and running a trans cooler jus makes good sense.....

 

Made another junk run today. I had 4,280lbs in scrap steel, which included, but was not limited to: an old Subaru (minus engine/transmission); old Ford V8 engine; old Ford V8 block and loose parts; old Ford straight-6 engine; frame tunnels from 4 Volkswagens; various scraps of steel. IIRC, my trailer comes in at 1,800lbs. Truck pulled well, but it takes a while to get to speed.

 

Well VWand Dodge, your truck and you are about 5000 lbs. + 4280 + 1800 = 11,080 lbs.
That is why it takes a while to get up to speed you know, like a 18 wheeler.

But please remember it takes a long time to stop, don't tailgate.

 

Hell, it's the people who wanted to snuggle up to my trailer who need to be told not to tailgate. I am very alert when towing. Don't hate me because I totally kick ***

 

I love to tow. Guess I'm a trucker at heart, second to pilot. Looks like some fun stuff you picked up there to play with.