Transmission Service

[jackandh2o]

I was talking to a couple of my neighbors that have RV's about servicing the tranny and they said they have theirs done every 60,000 miles. I have a '05 Dodge 2500 with the Cummins and have my done around every 30,000. The truck is only used to pull the Mountaineer and a haul water about every 3 weeks. Am I over doing it?

Thanks

Ray

[CORattler]

Yes, according to the maintenance schedule.... BUT, if it makes you feel better about your truck, go for it.

[1retired06]

Your transmission is the weak link of the drive train. I over maintain mine, and have always serviced at the 20K mark. I have never had a transmission issue. I over maintain my diesel, changing the oil every 2500 Miles. I have never had a engine problem either, even with the infamous 6.0. I do almost all of it myself, and my trucks have always appreciated that extra loving care by running strong and long.

[TLightning]

quote:Originally posted by jackandh2o

I was talking to a couple of my neighbors that have RV's about servicing the tranny and they said they have theirs done every 60,000 miles. I have a '05 Dodge 2500 with the Cummins and have my done around every 30,000. The truck is only used to pull the Mountaineer and a haul water about every 3 weeks. Am I over doing it?

Thanks

Ray

I do what the manual says to do.

[DonandJudy_12]

I will always remember the Fram commercial from the 60s- Pay me $ now or pay me $$$$$$ later- I also overmaintain all my mechanical parts- Had 280k on the 95 Ford when we traded- That vehicle is still on the road for a local construction company- Have more than 100k 0n current tv- Have not had a mechanical failure, due no doubt to the maintenance schedule we follow- Also, remember we are not the average user of our vehicles- JMHO- Don

[farmboy]

quote:Originally posted by CORattler

Yes, according to the maintenance schedule.... BUT, if it makes you feel better about your truck, go for it.

According to my '04.5 Dodge maintenance schedule it is every 30k which I pretty much follow. No problems yet in 132k. JMHO

[Art-n-Marge]

I do mine about every 30,000 miles. It's better than the book but not overdoing things. I believe this might even be the Heavy Duty interval. If the truck specs are what they are and their engineers specified fluid intervals, the fluid intervals are documented for standard and heavy duty intervals, then I feel that if an owner wants to overdue it then there's nothing wrong with that. It's their money.

This would be better than NOT changing fluids, at all, which is WAY worse and way too common. I don't think more frequent fluid changes will hurt and if some part of the vehicle is gonna break it's gonna do that even with the best or better intervals in fluid changes at just the right moment. It will be caused by that weak component and not because of the fluids.

Finally, it's best to consult your user's manual to determine what's best for you, including better intervals than what's documented. I now do my own fluid changes because I'm tired of the 30 minute service dudes trying to tell me what their computer says is right for my vehicle. Too many times of showing their techs, that their interval information is designed for increased revenues, is NOT what my book says even for a heavy duty interval. I've seen too many ignorant owners falling for their hype.

[BB_TX]

Ford, but I do mine every 30,000 just like the manual says.

[Tom S.]

To the OP: No, you are not over doing it. The maintenance schedule is written for "normal" driving. Pulling a 5th wheel does not fall into that category. Your schedule makes more sense than 50K.

[kdeiss]

I changed at 25,000 to TranSynd Castrol/GM Product recommended by the Allison Service Center has an extended service life

[HOOK]

Even having the Allison , I over service. About twice as often as recommended. I think it is money well spent. IMHO

[1retired06]

10X Hook

[jackandh2o]

Thanks guys, I'm happy to know my thinking is that far off base, for once.lol

Again thanks,

Ray

[Champ_49]

Well I guess I haven't done enough for mine. With 122,000 miles on the truck we had a failure. The last 30,000 mile drive hauling the 5th wheel in a complete circle around the country I got back to MI close to the old home we had and went to back into a camp site and the reverse blew out in my 2000 ford f-350. I had just serviced this before we left on our trip. At least we got back to an area we know, and know good places to take it for repair. It now appears that we will be putting in a new Jasper Tranny because of its 3 yr. 30,000 mile warranty and almost any town in USA has a Jasper installer. Thats our thought as of now. When the repair guys get it out and look at it they will give me the bad news.......lol

Dave

[jackandh2o]

Dave, sorry for your pain. Please keep me/us posted on the outcome.

Ray