This past weekend I did a lot a towing hauling a few horses around. Now I always tow with O/D locked out, and I don't really go faster than 60 with horses in the trailer.

But my question is this, when you guys that tow are driving down the interstate what speed and RPM are you guys running at out of over-drive?

I know I'm going slow, but other pick-ups towing pass me like I'm in park. So I'm just trying to get an idea if these people are saying "screw it, I'll just use over-drive" or if they are turning like 3000RPM the whole way.

For reference I'm doing about 60 with the RPMs at 2000-2100, 3.55 in the rear end and 33" tires.

 

Don't use overdrive when towing.

 

I don't. I just wanted to know how my RPM and speed compares with some other members to this forum.

 

I would think thats pretty good for towing horses.
Mine ran somewhere around 2700 towing around 2 tons of wood.

 

When I am towing with the dodge it is at 2300-2400@60, aprox with 3.92 & 315/75R16, the chevy dually is at 3000@60mph aprox with 4.10 & 225/75R16.
When I am towing I drive 10-15kph slower than the posted speed limit saves on fuel, and parts.

 

I've got the same set up as you and it does the same Rpms out of overdrive. But I know a lot of people, including my dad, just say **** it with the overdrive.

 

I wonder if those same people, and your dad, say the same thing once the transmission shats?

 

EXACTLY...

I tow my Drag Dakota with my 98 2500 RAM, 3.55 gears. With OD off at 65 mph, it's right in the sweet spot...Don't even know what that is....LOL

It just feels good, no shifting up and down, have a little power to spare if I need to pass a Smart Car, but not going so fast I can't slow down. (Ram brakes)

Plus it's cool if I'm driving slow...The Dakota sitting on the open trailer lets everyone know I'm OK with driving fast too...

I have 410s to put in, my installer talked me out of putting them in...I'm glad he did.

 

When you tow loads OUT of overdrive, you actually burn MORE gas. I tested it when I moved from Arkansas to indiana. My Wideband O2 was a lot richer in OD, AND my MPG readout was lower in overdrive.

Also, you get the best gas mileage at around 60-65 MPH on the HWY, after that, it goes down DRASTICALLY. and I mean DRASTICALLY. Actually, your ram gets the ABSOLUTE BEST mileage at around 40 MPH in the city when unloaded.

So, your dad is actually wasting gas and killing his tranny.