Any ideas on how to get my TT from Wisconsin to Florida?

Timtation wrote:
Try putting the pedal to the metal rather than the medal. Could make all the difference needed.

Well I put my gunnel bobbing medal down there as something to aim for... LOL.

It's odd that the van will hold O/D at full throttle! It should drop out of O/D around 3/4 throttle under a load. You may want to have the throttle valve cable (throttle body to trans) inspected and maybe adjusted. This cable adjusts transmission fluid pressure and shift rpm! If it's out of adjustment it can potentially damage your newly rebuilt trans.

I read everything I could on WD systems but then had it checked at an RV/trailer place who said it was good.

I now have a transmission cooler. They installed it when they fixed my transmission.

Try putting the pedal to the metal rather than the medal. Could make all the difference needed.

With cargo weight of 1500 lbs. in the van and a tongue weight of 600 lbs, pulling a 5000 lb trailer you are going to be struggling just a bit on hills with that 350 engine. I'd also suggest you keep the transmission in "D" when towing. At least to start. When you get more acquainted with the loads and performance, you can be shifting into "OD", especially on the flat when on Interstates.

If you don't have one, a transmission temperature gauge can alert you to inordinate transmission temperatures before you burn up another transmission. I'd suggest to get one installed and make sure you have a big enough transmission cooler. You are operating right at the maximum for the drivetrain of that van.

drsolo wrote:
2ND UPDATE:
So today the wind was coming right at me and when trucks passed me going 70 I could feel as they approached and passed, an eerie feeling like the way a snake oscillates side to side. I dont think the van/TT moved at all, just a feeling. Is this common?

THANK ALL OF YOU> you are brilliant!!

some small amount of oscillation is normal, depending on the tow vehicle and the trailer. I get that from time to time with my setup as well. It's kinda a shiver but I never have any sense of losing control, or the vehicle really moving. I've looked in the mirror as it occurs, and I see a slight "wiggle" of the trailer and it straightens right back up.

There's a whole thread somewhere in here that discusses that. You can minimize that, by watching in your mirror, and as a truck comes up to pass you, move over to the far side of your lane. That will reduce it. Also, making sure your WD hitch is setup properly will minimize it as well.

Glad to see the issue has been resolved. Sounds like you've found a good mechanic that helped you (a) understand what you need to do transmission wise, and (b) didn't try to sell you stuff you didn't need.

Mike

drsolo wrote:
2ND UPDATE:
First, I went to weigh just the RVan = 6100 lbs
Today I went to pick up the trailer and give it a try .... SUCCESS!!!!!
I could get it up to 60 mph, even higher going down slope a bit. But it wouldnt hold at 60 mph in cruise until I shifted out of overdrive D and into regular D and then it held very well even creeping up to 60 from 55 going uphill. I am still going to take the long and flat route to Florida.
So today the wind was coming right at me and when trucks passed me going 70 I could feel as they approached and passed, an eerie feeling like the way a snake oscillates side to side. I dont think the van/TT moved at all, just a feeling. Is this common?

Good for you. That's fantastic. The trans may run a little hotter in D but it's not going to hurt it. It's better than having the torque convert constantly engaging and disengaging OR lugging the engine. That wears the fiction material in the converter.

2ND UPDATE:
First, I went to weigh just the RVan = 6100 lbs
Today I went to pick up the trailer and give it a try .... SUCCESS!!!!!
I could get it up to 60 mph, even higher going down slope a bit. But it wouldnt hold at 60 mph in cruise until I shifted out of overdrive D and into regular D and then it held very well even creeping up to 60 from 55 going uphill. I am still going to take the long and flat route to Florida.
So today the wind was coming right at me and when trucks passed me going 70 I could feel as they approached and passed, an eerie feeling like the way a snake oscillates side to side. I dont think the van/TT moved at all, just a feeling. Is this common?

THANK ALL OF YOU> you are brilliant!!

UPDATE:

No tachometer, but I did discover and ask about the two "D" on my gear selector and my mechanic told me plain D was drive like around the city, the D with the circle around it was overdrive. Not that I used the plain D at all. Well I am one of those people reads the manuals cover to cover but my used GMC came with no manuals. I been finding new stuff ever since.

OK. It does downshift well with no load. Mechanic said he took it out and got it up to 75 mph on the freeway piece of cake, smooth as silk. But he said he did see the antique catalytic converter under there said the old kind with "beads" and could be choking the engine. So he will remove the cat con and also replace the fuel filters.

When I get it back I will take it down to be weighed as it is now fully loaded to go and will report back. Thanks everyone.

drsolo wrote:

06Fargo wrote:
I vote with the folks saying the transmission is staying in OD / high gear when it should be downshifting to 3rd or 2nd.
What happens on a hill when you manually move the shift lever to "3" or "2"?

OK, that is going on the list of things I will be trying today. So how can I test this out from a stop on a hill? If I put it in 1st or 2nd it just shouldnt sound any different if the transmission cable isnt hooked up right?
Thanks.

Do you have a tachometer on the dash?