ShinerBock wrote:
So you expect to be able to use all of your gears in any situation when towing? I am not sure what your towing experience is and I am not trying to insult, but most vehicles are not able to use all of their transmission gears in every situation when towing heavy (or even moderate loads for some) regardless if the have a 5, 6, 8, or 10 speed transmission.
Most current 6 speeds have two overdrives which are 5th and 6th gears. With my 2014 Cummins, my 6th is utilized as my overdrive when unloaded and towing light loads for better fuel economy. I lock out 6th and use 5th as my overdrive when towing moderate to heavy loads on the highway. Again, for better fuel economy and to keep the EGT's in check.
Just because you have all those gears, doesn't mean you have to use them in every situation. They are there to keep the engine in its power band and have enough torque multiplication to keep the vehicle moving forward. Heck, even tractor/trailers with 13 or 18 speeds are not able to use all gears in every situation when towing.
The top gears for fuel economy are not a big concern to me. But to lose 4 of your gears all at the top seems poorly balanced. I would rather be in the middle 6 ratios for normal conditions. For economy I would have 2 more at the top, and for an unexpected steep condition have two more at the bottom. A lower 4.10/4.56 would present this flexibility. I would worry more about getting started on a 15+ percent incline more than a bit of economy.
I understand those tractor/trailers don't always use the lowest gear to get moving. Or do they?
