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Old 08-27-2006, 03:01 AM   #1
syplace
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Overdrive

Do you drive in overdrive while pulling the 5th Wheel? A friend of ours says that he pulls his 34' Hitchhicker in overdrive in Trailer Mode 3/4 of the time (with the exception of going up hills). He says he gets better milage. He has a 2004 3500 Ford Diesel. WE have the 2003 Chev 3500. While towing I have never used the overdrive in trailer mode and get 13 mpg.; 16 when not pulling. Any help our suggestions would be appreciated.

John & Marianne
2005 3295RK w/Trail Air Hitch
2003 3500 Chevy duramax allison, 4x4 dualwheels
 
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Old 08-27-2006, 03:44 AM   #2
lawrenceb42106
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When we are pulling the trailer we always use the tow/haul mode and in overdrive. The only time we don't is in the mountains when it wants down shift and up shift alot. Some times we momentary shift out of tow/haul to make it shift faster. Have noticed when in the tow/haul the transmission temp runs cooler. We have @124.000 miles on the truck,so it seems to work good for us.

Larry & Roma
2001 3295RK Montana/3s
2001 3500 4X4 Chev Ext cab Duramax Dually
Hartselle,Alabama
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Old 08-27-2006, 04:18 AM   #3
drhowell
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I use mine about the same as Larry. I just listen to the motor and use the combination that gives me the best performance for the conditions. Use the overdrive and the cruise control on long flat highways.

Farmer Don [MOC 3628]
Barbara & Fuzzy (the Bichon)
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Old 08-27-2006, 04:55 AM   #4
sreigle
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I also use tow/haul and overdrive all the time I'm towing. I let the transmission figure out what gear to use. In past trucks if the transmission would tend to hunt, back and forth between gears a lot, then I'd pull it down a gear manually. That constant shifting heats up the transmission and heat is what kills a tranny. But I've never seen this transmission hunting for gears. Darn smart transmission I guess.

I think you should consult the manual for your truck. There are some models and years where they say to not tow in overdrive. Mine says overdrive is fine.

I use cruise, also, and used to leave it in cruise on the highway all the time. Now, when approaching a long hill I'll kick off the cruise and let the truck slow some and use less diesel. Cruise will hold the speed at the expense of mileage.

This is just how I do it. There's probably a number of good answers.

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Old 08-27-2006, 05:24 AM   #5
Glenn and Lorraine
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90% of the time I haul OUT of Tow/Haul and IN Overdrive. Only time I use TH is going up or down the steeper grades or when approaching an exit or a rest area off ramp. I take it out of OD whenever I am on an upgrade where I feel the tranny may have to shift down, down steeper grades and again when approaching a an exit ramp or rest area ramp. I like to let the tranny do the work of slowing me down and save the brakes whenever I am pulling off the travel lanes for an exit or rest stop.


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Old 08-27-2006, 10:09 AM   #6
Jerzy54
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I agree with Serigle. I use tow/haul all the time when I am trailing the Monty. I love how the trany slows down the truck when approaching the exit or when going downhill.

Jerzy&Tricia05 Montana 3500RL05 Ford F250 Lariat 6.0L PSD SB CC FX4 4X4Reese Signature Series5TH Airborne King Pin
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Old 08-27-2006, 12:13 PM   #7
padredw
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Once again, I find myself in agreement with Glenn. Perhaps it has something to do with the fact that we both have the 2955 Montana rather than a larger model. I never use Tow/Haul except in the mountains, and I always tow in overdrive. Never have any problem with "hunting" for the right gear. The Tow/Haul is worth every penny though in the moutains--up and especially down.

That's my opinion and experience only.

David and Shirley -- East Texas
2955 RL Montana
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Old 08-27-2006, 04:50 PM   #8
Montana Sky
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I always tow in O/D, and usually have the tow haul mode on. My truck will shift into O/D w/ the tow haul mode on around 62mph. If I want it to shift before that, I just turn off tow mode. Once the tranny starts hunting between gears or when my EGT temps get up there, I lock out the O/D and stay in 4th until the road levels out again.


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Old 08-29-2006, 06:47 AM   #9
dmr1021
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We use tow/haul with O/D and use cruise on the highway. Yellowstone to Missoula, Sunday, we averaged 13.8 mpg

-Dave

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Old 08-29-2006, 09:27 AM   #10
8.1al
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I generally leave mine in tow haul. The computer for the Allison is usually smarter than we are plus when you are in tow haul the torque converter will lock up down to second gear which helps reduce slippage and heat. If you are not in tow haul the conveter will only lock up in OD
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Old 08-29-2006, 01:05 PM   #11
RKassl
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ALWAYS use Tow Haul mode. The shift patterns are designed to be the most efficient for heavy towing. The Allison is pretty smart I let it do the thinking for me. This topic has been addressed on othe camping forums and the vast majority of D/A owners use to haul mode.

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Old 09-05-2006, 04:39 PM   #12
sreigle
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I have an auxiliary transmission temperature gauge in addition to the built-in psuedo gauge. The transmission runs pretty cool but I've seen it climb on long steep grades when not in tow/haul (like when I forgot to engate t/h). Putting it in tow/haul brings the temperatures back down. That's enough to make me a believer of using tow/haul any time I'm towing. To each his own, however.

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Old 09-06-2006, 05:28 AM   #13
pud2
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If i'm not mistaken the tranny will shift into overdrive and uses all gears when in tow haul mode. I thought i read that in some additional info. my dealer gave me when i bought the truck and it seem like it did as i was paying attention on my first pull. I was running 65-70 and rpms were around 2000. This was a f350 w/torque shift tranny. And yeah Steve this is one smart tranny.

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Old 09-06-2006, 07:27 AM   #14
Fordzilla
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I tow with the T/H button on almost all the time. Like mentioned above it will shift into overdrive with the t/h on, it just hold the gears a little longer before shifting into the next higher one while accelerating. It's not good to lug a diesel and I feel like the engine is lugging when not in t/h mode while pulling the trailer. Keeping the RPM's a little higher will keep the engine in it's power band and result in better pulling power.

Ron & Melinda Rosewall
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Old 09-06-2006, 02:30 PM   #15
sreigle
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Darrell, I agree with Ron. Mine also uses all gears in t/h including overdrive. Mine is at 2000 rpm at 70 mph, towing and solo, although I very rarely run 70 when towing. 3.73 axle on mine.

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Old 09-07-2006, 12:24 PM   #16
rickety
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I always tow in tow haul mode and overdrive, except when going up very steep hills, and then I lockout the overdrive and stay in towhaul. works great, tranny runs cooler, mileage is better. Going down grade if its really steep, I take it out of overdrive and turn on the exhaust brake (BD) and am able to maintain any speed I want going downhill.

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Old 09-07-2006, 12:26 PM   #17
Cat320
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I always use the T/H...that's what its for and it works great. The truck manufacturers spent lots of money designing and making those things, I figure Mr. Allison is smarter than I am and knows what he's doing, so I'll let him do what he was bought to do.

Bert and Betty
Fort Smith, AR
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