+1

 

+1 on the OD off, trans cooler, and guage, You didn't mention how many miles are on the truck or when the tranny was last serviced. But I'll guess around 80k and not recently. Might want to change the fluid and adjust the bands when you install the cooler.

Other than that my sig says it all...

 

Pay attention to the braking....don't worry about the horsepower.

It is a very good idea to put weight in the horse trailer like
feed bags, sand bags, even tubs of dirt or gravel
and then do some
panic stops
in an empty parking lot.

Learn to brake slightly at first
until you feel the 'slack' of the trailer hit the truck
and only then firmly work the brake much harder.

Remember when you need this skill
it will occur almost instantly and be very frightening.

Think of all those crazy things you have seen drivers do on the highway.

Now imagine those crazy drivers' idiot moves
happening in front of your truck with trailer and the horses
on a steep downhill in the rain.

If your heart is like an old KY boy like me transplanted to NC
you are more concerned to keep your innocent horses safe
than even yourself
but also consider what your truck and trailer could do
to a family with children behind you
when those crazy drivers act up.

 

Thanks for the replies! I am going to Lexington, VA. I've got plenty of experience trailering, but this is the first time I've pulled a 4-horse trailer with this truck. It's pulled a 2-horse fine, but I just wanted to make sure. The miles are higher than estimated, it's 117K right now. The rear brakes were adjusted, but not replaced. I'm going on the 27th of this month. I don't plan on pulling a 4-horse very often, but I will think of getting a tranny cooler. So the overdrive was a question I had too.... everyone says go the whole trip with it off?

 

Yes overdrive off on take your time. The truck and horses will appreciate it.

 

definatly going up inclines,wait and see your not stupid you'll know if you need to or not,if you see that it cant handle and keep downshifting then take it out.remember i pull inclosed 4 place sled trailer and one in the bed,thats alot its pushin it i only take it out of overdrive once im in the last 200 mi because it is real hilly.i also have a tranny cooler, so play it by ear.remember you can always take a horse to town ha ha ha! dont drive like a bat out of hell take it easy,with horses, you should never leave the right lane,what am i sayin,you no what am i talkin about, you'll b fine.some of these guys sound like they could b your husban, and gettin you all worked up, youll b fine.have fun,drive safe,getty up!!

 

+3 on no OD...

 

Ok, now I know where you are going and have a pretty good idea of what you will be covering. On I-77 the BIG pull at the NC/VA state line through Fancy Gap you will most likely be down to 30-40 mph to keep the truck happy, take your time there. The only other decent size pull is on I-81 just after Christiansburg between MM 118-128, that is Christiansburg Mtn, not a hard pull like Fancy gap, but several up then down sessions. I am sure if you have been to Lexington before you know these pulls very well (I drive them everyday in an 18 wheeler) but otherwise your truck should be fine.

 

drive the whole 4 horse trip
witth the overdrive locked out

not a bad investment
to change ATF and filter in the 46 auto trans
before making the trip

remember the old saying
"There is something about riding the outside of a horse
that improves the insides of a human being"

hope you have fun

 

Some sage advice:
"The proper way to operate an automatic transmission when pulling a heavy load or climbing long hills is to shift down at least one gear range. Let the lower mechanical gear ratio inside the transmission increase the engine's torque and power to the rear wheels rather than letting the torque converter do all the work. Keep the engine speed up. If you find yourself stepping more than half way on the gas pedal to maintain vehicle and engine speed, then you should be using a lower gear. Use less throttle, a higher engine speed, and lower gear ranges in your transmission to make it last a long time."
http://www.canadiandriver.com/articles/jk/at_000724.htm