What Gear Are You Towing In?

[thunderpuppy1]

I've towed my 5th wheel (Flagstaff 8524 CBS) a couple of times now. I find that my truck will not shift into 5th gear when I reach my towing speed of about 105 Kph (~60 MPH). Tach is about 2200. I can make it drop into 5th by accelerating to 115 and then laying off the pedal until speed drops to 105, tach at about 1850. Doesn't seem to be working very hard in that gear. I've noticed an approx 20% improvement in fuel economy if I'm towing in 5th as opposed to letting it stay in 4th.

I normally use Tow/Haul mode, but not using it makes no difference to this particular shift pattern.

The trailer probably weighs in at 8000 lb wet and I'm towing in the prairies so mostly flat.

Anyone else notice this?

[wolfe14785]

Yes, I have the same problem. When on flat ground my truck won't stay in 5th, constantly hunts between 4th and 5th when using cruise. When I don't use cruise I can hold 5th, I just try to maintain 70 +/- 5mph. Rpms about 2000 if I remember right. It seems to have power left when in 5th so I don't get why it downshifts all the time on flat ground.

I hope it gets better with more miles. Currently 2500 miles.

Tow / haul mode didn't make a diff. for me once at speed. 10K# trailer.

[6SPDMANUAL]

yes i had the same problem. i posted on here about it, and most people said they tow like i do or close to it and had no problem. then some jumped in and said not supposed to tow in over drive. BS, its the "smart" tranny that can't figure out what its doing. and yes if you drive it and not the cruise you can make it stay in gear better, thats what i have to do, and i find that much more taxing than driving with a stick. i hope i stick to my guns on my next truck and just order a stick. i went from and 05 srw 3.73 to 06 drw 4.10 and the 4.10 is an improvement, but still not the cats meow. with only 8k, changing the gears in your truck would certainly help, but you will loose fuel economy in town and when not towing. another thing that may help is to go faster, thats what i did. alot less downshifting.

[newbie_101]

I tow 15k and can easily stay in 5th at 105kph. I notice that it downshifts much less than my previous truck with 3.73's. 100% of my traveling is done in T/H and most on cruise.

[wolfe14785]

[ QUOTE ]
then some jumped in and said not supposed to tow in over drive.

[/ QUOTE ]

I don't think you can take the auto 08's out of o.d. unless you drop down to 3rd. D is for 4th and 5th, no button to take out of 5th, unless I missed it?

[Chillinthemost]

I love my manual trans. I dont care how "smart" they make them autos, I still feel that I can do a better job myself.