I think the bottom line here is how hot the tranny is getting... if it's getting too hot, OD should be off in my opinion... make it easier to tow on the drive line.

my suggestion would be to get a deep pan, big tranny cooler and a temp gauge. that way you know what's going on with it. I'd consider adding a 2nd cooler with a fan on it if the stock cooler cant keep the tranny temps around 180 or less.

 

This is the way I tow, the dealer told me as long as the tranny isn't shifting in and out leave the OD on. I also turn it off running up steep hills and down steep hills

 

26k gross at 75 mph...Jeez, I used to think my trailer was too big, which it was when I was towing it with a Jeep. Now I'm thinkin I'll need to get a 13k lb 5th wheel camper just to keep my truck (and my wife) happy

 

No joke Doc, you dont have any worries with the traiker you have. If your ever in SC, go by the state farmers market in Columbia and look at the massive loads of watermelons the Dodge boys are bringing in. Ive seen them gross up to 36k on the mkt scales!! I wont say its smart, but I will say its pretty DANG amazing. I will try to get some pics of this insanity during our growing season. We get away with it cause the DOT is asleep at night in SC. The only problem Ive seen is some of the guys are busting rear springsand blowing rear axle seals. Be sure not to buy a used CTD in SC, cause you can bet its been worked!!!

 

I agree with Watermelon these trucks can pull tons and tons even though mine is in the shop the difference from my 98.5 24 valve to my 2006 CDT is night and day. The first time i hooked my 5th to the new truck keepin mind that the 5th is 13500lbs loaded and i load the crap in tight that 5 quads plus fire woodfor a 5 night trip and 45 gal of gas + extra water in the bead HEAVY!!!! So I am crusin to Glamis dunes 70 mph in OD cruise control ON come to this steady grade not a massive hill I'm thinkin better kick it down out of OD but she just keeps pullin. So now I m havin a little fun start hittin the acc button on the cruise she keeps pullin ( the truck that is not the wife) end up slowin it down at 87mph thinkin this is to much weight to be going this fast.by the way still in OD I could have gone faster so if you had any doubt these trucks have huge ***** theydo and not the ones you buy and hang on the hitch.

 

I see some posts about high heat. Once the tc is locked up, the tranny temp should drop. The fluid is not driving the tc anymore. I think high fluid temps are a result of the tc being unlocked. I pull a buddy's boat every now and then. I'm in overdrive on the highway and my fluid temp doesn't hit 150.

 

The owners manual (at least for those of us with a 47RE, '94-'02) says only time OD needs to be turned off is if it is shifting in and out while towing, i.e. hilly country or mountains.

 

That pretty much seems to be the general concensus huh?

Thanks .... I feel better now.