It seems everyone tows with auto trannys....I'll be towing with a 6-speed manual, so am I allowed to ask a question here? (Don't mean to steal the thread...)

I don't have any guages other than stock engine temp and tachometer. Is there a range of RPM that I should try to keep the engine at when towing? My trailer weighs about 6000 lbs dry, and usually when towing it will be closer to 6500 lbs. And I live in hill country also.

 

Mayfair, As long as that baby aint shifting in and out of overdrive I would let it roll. My 2000 CTD stayed in OD , and I worked that mother like a dog. We never had any trouble out of the tranny.

 

Doc , I have a 2004 CTD 6 spd 6wheeler like yours and I gross 24 to 26k 750 miles a week. These trucks like to be run hard. I keep my rpms up arund 2500 most all the time. I run between 70 and 75 and it likes it. Dont lug it around whatever you do.

 

Yeah, that's pretty much exactly howI tow. If it starts slipping, I'll take it out of overdrive, otherwise I'll leave it in overdrive at all times.

 

I have a buddy that rebuilds trannys in tanks at Fort Erwin in Cali. he told me when you tow that it should be out of OD Says that the when OD when towing you are heating up the tranny fluid and will burn up the OD. but I have always towed the way you do when I had my 98.5 never had a prob. and I was pulling 13000lbs but I did have a chip and guages I don't think it matters just keep an eye on the color of the tranny fluid and the smell if it smells burned change it

 

Mayfair, on your 98, isn't there a button on the dash for the OD? My 97 gasser had it there.

 

sorry did forget i had an auxiliary trans cooler with a fan on it don't know how much of a diff that made got it before i cot guages

 

I have a 1500 gasser and when towing, I only drop it out of OD if the tranny starts to shift in and out of OD a lot. So I guess it depends on the driving conditions and how much you are towing. I've got almost 195k on the engine and tranny and it is all original.

 

If it's flat terrain, light load, highway towingand the tranny isn't hunting for gears, I'll leave it in OD.

If it's hilly, heavy, or stop and go that would only get the tranny into OD for a short period of time, I'll take lock it out.

The only reason you'll heat it up in OD is if it's shifting in and out. If the TC is locked, you are casuing no more heat than if the OD was locked out.

But, if it's heavy, hilly, or stop and go, lock it out.

 

I've got the switch, but it's on the end of the gear selector, not on the dash.