gear changes for better towing
I just took a trip with my new fifth wheel and I am beginning to see that my truck is somewhat lacking in the power department. On even the slightest hills interstate overpasses my speedometer would k...
Forum Discussion
The transmission is a functional and cost effective way to change the gearing ratio if towing the RV a few times a year doing less than 3000 miles in the rocky mountains.
If towing 10,000 pounds 30K miles a year a case could be made for trading trucks.\
Ideal and functional solutions are not always one and the same.
We got improved power and MPG in the MH by going with smaller than OEM tire size for a 2% lower final drive ratio. The metric tires ride better too.
On the level we find the now 2700 RPM to do 70 MPH is the sweet spot fuel and power wise and that is in OD (4th). In hilly areas coming out of OD and climbing at 3500 RPM min gives lower transmission and engine temps and higher MPG. Gas engines need RPM's and not lugged like a diesel. Like Grapevine in CA going south we found 2nd gear at 4000 RPM doing 50 MPH to be the sweet spot under those conditions.
Machines and drivers are different. Gas and diesel are different. RPM's is your friend if you drive a gas powered truck towing.
If towing 10,000 pounds 30K miles a year a case could be made for trading trucks.\
Ideal and functional solutions are not always one and the same.
We got improved power and MPG in the MH by going with smaller than OEM tire size for a 2% lower final drive ratio. The metric tires ride better too.
On the level we find the now 2700 RPM to do 70 MPH is the sweet spot fuel and power wise and that is in OD (4th). In hilly areas coming out of OD and climbing at 3500 RPM min gives lower transmission and engine temps and higher MPG. Gas engines need RPM's and not lugged like a diesel. Like Grapevine in CA going south we found 2nd gear at 4000 RPM doing 50 MPH to be the sweet spot under those conditions.
Machines and drivers are different. Gas and diesel are different. RPM's is your friend if you drive a gas powered truck towing.
