I have a 20ft flatbed trailer (car trailer) that weighs 2k lbs EMPTY, so im wondering if I can pull it in 5th so W/O the TOW/HAUL? I obviously use the TOW/HAUL when I pull a car, but can I get away without using the TOW/HAUL when im pulling the trailer empty which is 2k lbs?

 

Probably. My '03 doesn't have tow/haul. I've towed a 5,400# trailer with it. Tow/haul doesn't change the towing capacity, it just helps the truck deal with the extra weight.

 

I'm wondering the same thing, but to take it a step further...

Am I correct in thinking that as long as the transmission isn't downshifting more in OD than it does when I'm not towing on interstates or highways, then it's ok to tow in OD?

I just had my gears replaced to 4.56 and am running 33" tires. When I am done with the 500 mile break-in, I will be doing the 45 mile (in 15 mile increments) break-in for towing and I would like to know if I have to use Tow/Haul mode if it seems fine in OD on the interstate. I wouldn't even think of it if it wants to keep downshifting, but I have a feeling it won't be needing to with the new gears, and I will assume NOTHING... I would just like to know for sure.

 

Just had my 2010 diff rebuilt (warranty). What's this "45 mile...break-in for towing" ?
( I'm not towing for the first 500 miles, and will put on a Hytec cover at 500 miles and put in Mobil 1 synthetic gear oil. ) There's a towing break-in too ?

 

Supposedly after the 500 miles, the first 45 miles or so of towing is to broken down into 15 mile intervals. The light driving used for the first 500 doesn't fully engage the gears into the stressed position that towing does. Most break-in period recommendations only discuss the first 500 with NO towing. I've seen a few schedules that included the 45 mile towing break-in as well. I will be playing it safe and changing the fluid at 500 miles, then doing the towing break-in.

 

But i have 3.55 gears with 33" tires, so can i get away with on the interstate? We are talking 65mph

 

3.55 gearing and 33" tires...
does the transmission seem to downshift more when pulling the empty trailer than when not pulling it? I would think those gears would put quite a strain on the tranny while pulling that much weight, but I'm by far not an expert.

What I do know is that if the tranny has to keep down-shifting to maintain speed, it's working too hard and should be taken out of OD to avoid overheating it. The fact that the trailer is a flatbed will help considerably when towing it empty. There would be practically no wind drag on it. The only issue at that point would be the 2,000 pounds of dead weight.

Any of you professional tranny guys want to take a stab at this?

 

You can have 2000 lb in the bed of the 3/4 ton and you would not use tow/haul mode. So I would think your are fine with that amount. You can probably not use tow/haul mode with the car on the trailer too unless in the hills/mountains.

 

Some of us don't have Tow/Haul!

An empty car trailer is fine to pull without any special modes engaged. I'll tow a loaded car trailer in OD on the interstate if I'm just holding speed on level ground. The key is to keep the transmission from hunting or downshifting constantly. This is with the stock towing package and the cooler it includes.

 

I see many of you change your gears to 4.10, but doesnt that kill the MPG and loose top end speed? I guess id care more about the MPG vs. the top end speed