5.4 is a screamer!!!
I took delivery of a new 26 ft camper that weights just under 6,000 pounds. GVWR is 7,650, but it is empty right now. I live in Texas which has a lot of rolling hills. It rarely goes into over drive, ...
Forum Discussion
dodge guy wrote:YamaDooed wrote:dodge guy wrote:~DJ~ wrote:YamaDooed wrote:
If you leave the trans in OD towing over 6000 lbs any distance your trans should be needing rebuilding shortly regardless of your axle ratio. And yes your mpgs will increase also.
A friend of mine lost his tranny not realizing he should tow with OD off.
I've been towing in O/D for years and no problems. Of course the 4.30's help in that department!
Funny how some people give advice on something they have never tried for them selves.
Yes you can drive with it in OD if you have a V10 but the 5.4 with a 3.55 will be shifting in and out of OD and your trans temps will be going thru the roof. And Yes I've tried it many times esp. with fuel over the $4 a gal years. :)
And that is why you go to 4.30's and enjoy the new found power band! The truck will work less and instead of running at 2700 in 3rd you can run 2300 in O/D and let the truck relax! Yes a few hundred rom makes a huge difference!
I have the 3.55s, and it turn 2200 2300 at 65 mph in 3rd. so the RPM would be the same. I'm just not in OD. Friend of mine with 3.73 turns 2500 at the same speed in 3rd. I'm happy with it. the TV has better throttle response, and when it shifts down. It only drops one gear as opposed to being in OD and dropping 2, and unlocking the torque converter.
I get 9 to 10 MPG towing. Not bad. But the best thing is. Not towing on the highway. I get 21- 22 mpg. And I tend to do that more than towing. so spending 800 dollars just to stay in OD turning the same rpm I am now. Just not worth it.
