Towing in overdrive

[Builder]

Even though I am a Ford HD guy you did good buy buying a larger truck. The big gas engine will suit you fine for your occasional towing.

I can tell you still have a love for GM. You said "HD" instead of "SD".

When should you change the tranny fluid? Now. If it got over 200 deg you need to change it. The rule of thumb is 200 deg max on the tranny temp.

Chris

If I had to change the fluid everytime I hit 200*, I'd be broke.

200* is nothing.

 

[Diamondpilot]

I can tell you still have a love for GM. You said "HD" instead of "SD".



If I had to change the fluid everytime I hit 200*, I'd be broke.

200* is nothing.

No love for GM and maybe you just need to buy a better truck! You will be broke sooner or later with all them Government Motors things you own.

Back to the OP. If it says 260 then that what it is. 200 is just what I have always heard as a rule of thumb.

Chris

 

[Dargo]

No love for GM and maybe you just need to buy a better truck! You will be broke sooner or later with all them Government Motors things you own.

Back to the OP. If it says 260 then that what it is. 200 is just what I have always heard as a rule of thumb.

Chris

No, no, no, no, no. Tell everybody to buy GM. I lost enough money from that freakin' bankrupt company that they owe me a free truck. For buying their products and buying their stock over the years they have most definitely cost me more than any possible breakdowns from any number of vehicles could have cost me. I need more people with blinders on like "Builder" out there banging the 'buy GM' drum!! Hopefully there will be enough people buy from the bankrupt Government Motors to drive up their stock from "junk" status to at least "poor" status.

 

[Builder]

No, no, no, no, no. Tell everybody to buy GM. I lost enough money from that freakin' bankrupt company that they owe me a free truck. For buying their products and buying their stock over the years they have most definitely cost me more than any possible breakdowns from any number of vehicles could have cost me. I need more people with blinders on like "Builder" out there banging the 'buy GM' drum!! Hopefully there will be enough people buy from the bankrupt Government Motors to drive up their stock from "junk" status to at least "poor" status.

Maybe you're the one with "blinders" on????

It is going to be REAL interesting to see what shakes out in the next 2 years. I won't be a guinea pig for Ford's new taco diesel, so they're out till at least '11-'12. GM is being rather hushed about the future, although what I have seen looks promising. If Dodge gets the 6.7L settled down, with the Aisin & exhaust brake, that very well might be my next truck.

If the Ford turns out to be a winner, they get an exhaust brake and the others don't match up to Ford, I guess I'll be driving a (removed) again. No problem with that.
Just buy the best truck you can when you're buying.

http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/1759484-post33.html

 

[powerstroke444e]

Buy the best at the time you purchase the truck as builder has put it. In 2002 when I ordered a new truck I ordered a truck with solid axles dana 60 upfront and dana 80 in the back with a 5spd manual and 5.9L with knowledge the clutch was junk and would replace it in 6months with a aftermarket(which I did). It happened to have a dodge body on the set-up. Would I buy a dodge/ford/chevy today if I ordered one???? I truely like the the 7.3IH but currently the best truck depends on what you want it to do.

If I needed a new crewcab heavy hauler I would by a sport Chassis Freightliner.

 

[Dargo]

Maybe you're the one with "blinders" on????

Yeah, riiiiight. About as likely as having monkeys flying outta my rear! !

 

[Builder]

Buy the best at the time you purchase the truck as builder has put it. In 2002 when I ordered a new truck I ordered a truck with solid axles dana 60 upfront and dana 80 in the back with a 5spd manual and 5.9L with knowledge the clutch was junk and would replace it in 6months with a aftermarket(which I did). It happened to have a dodge body on the set-up. Would I buy a dodge/ford/chevy today if I ordered one???? I truely like the the 7.3IH but currently the best truck depends on what you want it to do.

If I needed a new crewcab heavy hauler I would by a sport Chassis Freightliner.

Thanks, bud. That's exactly right and all we need to know.

 

[Dargo]

Thanks, bud. That's exactly right and all we need to know.

Hey, I know it's being lazy and not looking it up myself, but what is the last year GM diesel pickups were made without DPF stuff? Business is picking up in areas I didn't expect and dropping in others. As you know, I'm pleased with my '06 PSD but most likely need to add another truck and trailer. I had the Dodge for 10 years and now have the Ford. I figure I ought to drive the latest offering from GM and maybe go that way this time if they drive okay.

 

[FlaDon]

I agree with Builder on the fan issue. I'm thinking the truck was sensing the need for extra cooling and the fan kicked in. I'm not familiar with the GM 8.1/Allison set up but my 7.3 PSD/6 speed set up has a very noticeable fan when the temps get right.

Jay

We've had a motorhome with the 454 and this pickup with the 8.1L/Ally and when they kick in the fan, you know it. Roar of a prop plane comes close to describing it. Only when the engine is cold or on the I-77 grade does it make itself known. And even if you know it will do it, you still look down at the speedometer and the tach just to make sure.

 

[FlaDon]

I just returned from an atv riding trip in Logan WV {Hatfield McCoy trails}. I rode with a friend who has basicaly the same truck as me, other than the fact that his truck has the 8100 gas engine with an Allison and 4:10s, 2wd, mine is a DMax Allison, 3:73, 4WD. Both trucks have 265's, are reg. cab long beds, and relatively close miles, mine 97k, his high 80's, his is a 2002 2500HD, mine is a 2003 2500HD.

We were towing a 22ft tailgator camper/toy hauler with 2 4wd utility quads inside, and gear and food for four adults, the water and waste tanks were empty, we estimate the weight of the camper to be around 6500lbs as towed. We were also using a cab top air deflector. The best hand calculated MPG we got was 7.1mpg, the rest of the time we were between 6.4mpg and 6.8mpg. It was 392 miles each way, and it took almost 3 tanks of fuel to get there and about 2 and a half to get home[ had a little left]. The Rig also spent lots of time in second gear at 4000+ rpm's climbing the hills on the freeway, it did however maintain 65mph the entire time, regardless of the terrain.

It would have been cheaper to drive my Duramax down there by myself {towing the same load], rather than splitting fuel with my 8100 buddy. I also doubt that it would have come out of overdrive on any highway grade that we encountered, [it is chipped though] based on past mountain towing experience in it. I sure am glad I spent the extra money 6 years ago for a diesel. The 8100 did the job, but I prefer the diesel.

I always tow in overdrive, and use Tow/Haul when towing and NEVER exceed 60hp setting on the chip when towing. Rarely have I seen trans temps in excess of 200 degrees, only a couple times when towing in heavy stop and go highway traffic. My buddy with the 8100 towed all the way down and all the way back in tow haul overdrive with no issues. That being said, If I did not have a Allison, Torqueshift, or Aisen, I would play it safe and keep it out of overdrive when towing, as none of the older auto OD's [E4od, 4l80 etc.] were realy made to be towing in OD.

Something sounds wrong with his truck. With loads in the 15K to 17K CGW range mine stays in 4th or 5th 99.9% of the time. 3rd is where 4K on the tach is seen and rarely goes there unless it is grade braking at 65. Was his one of the early 2002s that was recalled for the flexplate failures and did it get a tranny spring change? He might try backing off on the throttle and letting it run at 3200 RPM upgrade and let the engine run where its torque is better. It might then stay in 4th which should help with the MPGs. Were you on 52 or 119?