How to use overdrive when towing
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How to use overdrive when towing
Hello all, I have a 97 ram 1500 with the 360 5.9l V8 magnum and I need to tow a 6x12 U-Haul trailer. I was wondering if I should turn the overdrive off or not? I need some info on when and when not to use it. thanks in advance! I should also note that I've towed this trailer setup before without messing wit the overdrive at all. she definitely struggled a bit through the mountains of Tennessee but I'm not going through any mountains this time so that wont be an issue. that trip was from Florida to Illinois, this one is from southeast Texas to Illinois.
Administrator
Joined: Apr 2010
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From: Clayton MI
For the 46RE, which is what you have, I figure anything over 2000 pounds is overdrive off territory. 
If it's long, straight, FLAT roads, you can try it, but, if the engine is struggling, or the trans temp light comes on...... turn it off, and leave it off.
If it's long, straight, FLAT roads, you can try it, but, if the engine is struggling, or the trans temp light comes on...... turn it off, and leave it off.
Grand Champion
Joined: May 2019
Posts: 5,146
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From: S.W. Indiana
Hello all, I have a 97 ram 1500 with the 360 5.9l V8 magnum and I need to tow a 6x12 U-Haul trailer. I was wondering if I should turn the overdrive off or not? I need some info on when and when not to use it. thanks in advance! I should also note that I've towed this trailer setup before without messing wit the overdrive at all. she definitely struggled a bit through the mountains of Tennessee but I'm not going through any mountains this time so that wont be an issue. that trip was from Florida to Illinois, this one is from southeast Texas to Illinois.
The little extra fuel with over drive off is a lot less than a new transmission. I recently drove from Houston to southern Indiana and if I was towing, I'd have the OD off if towing. Yes, the limit was 75, but trucks were on both lanes and slowing traffic to 60 over a lot of it. I got behind one 1 1/2 ton box truck and he camped in the left lane for 40 miles. When I finally got around him, the tail back was well over a mile long. Probably farther, but that was all I could see. He probably heard from his company as I called the number on the truck with the truck number. He moved over shortly afterward.
Administrator
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 87,403
Likes: 4,214
From: Clayton MI
The little extra fuel with over drive off is a lot less than a new transmission. I recently drove from Houston to southern Indiana and if I was towing, I'd have the OD off if towing. Yes, the limit was 75, but trucks were on both lanes and slowing traffic to 60 over a lot of it. I got behind one 1 1/2 ton box truck and he camped in the left lane for 40 miles. When I finally got around him, the tail back was well over a mile long. Probably farther, but that was all I could see. He probably heard from his company as I called the number on the truck with the truck number. He moved over shortly afterward.
Legend
Joined: Nov 2014
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They are positioning to put a speed limit on the autobahn and the German government agrees with them. If I was a cop I would enforce the passing lane only law.
Grand Champion
Joined: Feb 2015
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Last i heard the speed limit was for only the busy sections of it. There's a lot cops don't enforce, They are to busy talking to one another in empty parking lots.
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Legend
Joined: Nov 2014
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Isn't that the truth lol but it saved me from getting a few speeding tickets