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Barkingdogs's avatar
Barkingdogs
Explorer
Aug 04, 2015

Towing question

I'm pulling a TT with a GVWR of 3400 lbs with a 2001 Durango, V8, 4.7L. I'm the original owner of the Durango, yes it has a lot of miles, but it's well taken care of. I've pull this TT for 2 yrs, never had a problem with the truck. I do have a tranmission cooler on it. I turn off my overdrive pulling the camper.
Now my questions. My last trip I started losing speed pulling inclines, I had to hit the gas hard to maintain speed. 1. Am I correct in keeping the overdrive off. 2. Should I drop down to 2nd gear pulling hills? Also on one long incline the tranmission temp light came on, it went out once the road leveled out.
I pulled into a service area, had the fluid checked, it,was good. The rest of the way home I stayed at 50mph. Still had to floor the gas to maintain speed on hills, but the trans. Temp light didn't come on.
On a flat road, the truck pulls fine, no problem maintaining the speed limits.
When I got home took the truck in had the tranmission checked. he said the trans was good, replaced a sensor, changed the filter & fluids.
Sorry for being so ramblely!!

9 Replies

  • philh's avatar
    philh
    Explorer III
    Aug 09, 2015
    OBD2 dongle and smart phone app are fantastic way to monitor key engine data. If you were getting too hot, the computer may have been pulling power. See note above on fan's going bad. Chrysler had a huge problem with what I would deem early life failures.
  • mkirsch's avatar
    mkirsch
    Nomad II
    Aug 06, 2015
    No matter how well you take care of a vehicle, it's going to wear out sooner or later. Unless you tow this trailer regularly, year-round, and this change was sudden, you can really only attribute it to normal wear and tear. 4-6 months go by between the last trip in the fall and the first trip in the spring/summer, and you put a lot of miles on the truck in between. It could have been right on the edge last time you towed, and just enough wear between now and then, that it doesn't have enough power for the hills anymore.

    Don't put much faith in having things "checked." They don't have x-ray vision. They only do a cursory visual inspection, and if nothing jagged is sticking out anywhere, it's declared "fine."

    Also be prepared to put a transmission in soon. Unless you did regular fluid changes at the proper intervals, you would've been better served by leaving it alone. An "oh ****, I haven't changed this in 200,000 miles" flush and fill usually kills the transmission.
  • naturist's avatar
    naturist
    Nomad II
    Aug 05, 2015
    How to Test the Other Temperatures: spring for an infrared thermometer. I've seen them at auto parts stores, Northern Tools, Tractor Supply, and even Harbor Freight. Going price seems to be in the $25-$50 range. Note the spread factor (the patch of target it measures depends on how far away the gun is from the target) and measure away.
  • dodge_guy's avatar
    dodge_guy
    Explorer II
    Aug 05, 2015
    The Fan clutch on those years of Durango, Dakotas and Rams would stop working after awhile! If you didn`t hear a loud "roar" when going uphill then most likely it has failed!
  • rexlion's avatar
    rexlion
    Explorer
    Aug 04, 2015
    I have to wonder if the trans fluid coolers lose their effectiveness over time, due to buildup of junk inside and out. My Highlander has exhibited increasing susceptibility to the trans temp light coming on, and the shop found nothing wrong with the tranny. Since it has 182k miles and I tow all the time (work as well as play), I bought another vehicle rather than screw around with the HL.
  • RooDude09's avatar
    RooDude09
    Explorer
    Aug 04, 2015
    Sounds like lack of air flow through radiator caused the trams to overheat. Had this problem with my 2004 Silverado after or even during a long uphill pull on a hot day it would over heat in my case the engine coolant. I'm sure the trans was hot as well. You should be hearing the fan clutch coming on though as others have said.
  • Terryallan's avatar
    Terryallan
    Explorer II
    Aug 04, 2015
    Barkingdogs wrote:
    No, my brake light wasn't coming on. I don't know how to test the other temps. I've pulled horse trailers for 40 yrs. I'm new to TT.


    Quickly touch the TT wheel hub. See how hot it is. IF the brake is dragging. You won't be able to leave your hand there.
  • Barkingdogs's avatar
    Barkingdogs
    Explorer
    Aug 04, 2015
    No, my brake light wasn't coming on. I don't know how to test the other temps. I've pulled horse trailers for 40 yrs. I'm new to TT.
  • wcjeep's avatar
    wcjeep
    Explorer
    Aug 04, 2015
    Did you check towrig and trailer wheel temp? Dragging brake? Is the fan clutch working properly? I always carry an infrared heat gun for testing wheels, tires, radiator, etc.

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