towing rpm

boogie_4wheel wrote:
If this is an early 04, try running with the T/H off. This will allow it to drop into 4th and would probably net you some fuel economy. Save T/H (OD lockout) for the hills.

The 04.5+ T/H allowed 4th gear operation, but 04 and older was an OD lockout feature. I don't know the specs on your FW but would at least try to pull it in OD.

With reguard to the t/h mode, if I push the button I run the ops' rpm. I put my '04.5 in D and go. I very seldom push the button. I generally run 1800 rpm on the interstate with very little down shifting and 55 mph on other roads.

'O4 was the crossover year. Some shifters say tow/haul while the function is still O/D off. I'd leave it off (O/D on) unless you're in slow hilly roads making it shift too much. Won't hurt the Cummins to run 2500rpm though. My '98 12v 5sp/4.10 ran 2500rpm 70mph in 5th towing or not. Made for some long days listening to the shop vac under the hood but won't hurt a thing.

If this is an early 04, try running with the T/H off. This will allow it to drop into 4th and would probably net you some fuel economy. Save T/H (OD lockout) for the hills.

The 04.5+ T/H allowed 4th gear operation, but 04 and older was an OD lockout feature. I don't know the specs on your FW but would at least try to pull it in OD.

That doesn't sound right to me. No way would I want my engine running that high. I have the 4:10 gears and it runs about 2000 RPM @ 68mph. My friend has the 04 like you have with 3:73 gears and it runs about 1750 at that speed. My guess is that you are using tow haul mode which doesn't allow it to shift up like the 05 does. If that's the case, take it out of T/H and see if it will shift up.

With my Chevy diesel and 6 speed Allison towing our 5th wheel, at 62mph, I am running just under 1,500 rpms on level ground. This was last summer between Amarillo and Wichita Falls, Texas. With 397 hp and 762 ft lbs of torque, it doesn't have to down shift very often on the highways.
My previous truck, a standard output 2002 Dodge Cummins, it would have been closer to 2,000 rpms with the 4 speed and OD tranny.

4x4ord wrote:
Your automatic has 2 choices it could run in 3rd gear at 2500 or 4th gear at 1725 rpm. At 1725 The Cummins should be capable of making around 175 hp which should be lots of power to tow most 5th wheels down a level road so it surprises me that it chooses to run in 3rd over 4th. I would still trust that the computer know what gear to select. By the time my Ford is pulling hard enough to get the revs up to 2500 rpm I am getting around 5 mpg.

this is how i pull my trailer 90% of the time.
I mostly use the tow/haul for slowing down,in town,climbing big hills or when i need the power now. plus it help lots on mpg when pulling out of tow/haul

yes that right
the same as mine

Your automatic has 2 choices it could run in 3rd gear at 2500 or 4th gear at 1725 rpm. At 1725 The Cummins should be capable of making around 175 hp which should be lots of power to tow most 5th wheels down a level road so it surprises me that it chooses to run in 3rd over 4th. I would still trust that the computer know what gear to select. By the time my Ford is pulling hard enough to get the revs up to 2500 rpm I am getting around 5 mpg.

That probably sounds about right for a 4 speed. I'm running about 2k at that speed with my 6 speed in od.