drewnick
Greenville, SC
Senior Member
Joined: 09/08/2007
View Profile
 Offline
|
I have gone into overkill mode recently, purchasing a DRW 3500 to pull a 7500 lb TT. I know it seems ridiculous to some but to me, it is worth it to have a large safety margin. I have a new baby, no chances taken.
We took our first trip across a few little mountains between SC and N. Georgia last week. The rig did fine. But on the road from Dillard, GA to Highlands, NC there were all these flashing signs, etc about how dangerous some of the curves were. Luckily I had unhooked the TT already.
So my question is, do you get any transmission braking by downshifting with an auto and a diesel? It sure doesn't feel like you get much, if any. It tends to just rev up the engine! Having said that, were I to approach a long down grade, with my setup, what strategies would you recommend? I don't have an exhaust brake and I don't believe one can be added to my truck due to torque converter lock-out or something.
I'd like to know before I try it WITH the TT since there's a big difference between an unloaded truck and then the decline with a TT behind you. It didn't seem to me the tranny would help much at all.
Thanks!
Drew & Delia
2008 BABY Just Born Sep 8, 2008!
2008 Jayco Eagle 328 RLS
2005 RAM 3500 4x4 DRW CTD <-- New Truck!
|
shorthair
vancouver, wa. usa.
Senior Member
Joined: 03/18/2004
View Profile
Offline
|
Thats why for years semis used jakes.
|
Turbo Diesel Dude
Green Mountain, NC
Senior Member
Joined: 01/10/2005
View Profile
Offline
|
Which truck?
charles weidman
|
drewnick
Greenville, SC
Senior Member
Joined: 09/08/2007
View Profile
Offline
|
2005 RAM 3500 4x4 DRW CTD
|
marvmarcy
Polson, MT, USA
Senior Member
Joined: 04/19/2003
View Profile
Offline
|
You can add an exhaust brake and torque converter lock up. I had an AST CoPilot in my F550 along with the exhaust brake. It worked very well. The CoPilot also kept the TC locked up most of the time and reduced tranny heating. There are much cheaper ways to lock up the TC than a CoPilot. On the Ford 4R100 tranny (prone to problems) you could connect to one wire and lock up the TC. You just had to remember to unlock around town and especially when stopping. I'm pretty sure you can do something similar with your Dodge.
2001 Volvo VNL42T420, ISX450/1650, super 10sp w/GearMaster
2003 Newmar Mountain Aire 38RLRK
Piaggio MP3 400 scooter
RVing since 1979 - Fulltime since 2000 (mostly CO, MT, NC & Key West)
Retired USAF
|
|
|
08f450psd
Westminster, Maryland
Full Member
Joined: 12/24/2007
View Profile
Offline
|
Tow/Haul mode in a Ford is unbelievable at downshifting automatically. The computer controls the whole thing, including the torque converter.
I don't know Dodge's, but don't they have something similar ?
|
wa8shc
Parma, Ohio
Senior Member
Joined: 12/11/2003
View Profile
|
You can add an exhaust brake.
PacBrake & Jacobs are just 2 I have read about
Pac is air operated, Jacobs is vacuum operated (this is also dealer installable..so no warranty issues)
Not sure as to the 05's and the 48re tranny on the tow/haul & OD lockout
Goto www.dieseltruckresource.com
It's a free to join site and ask abt your 05. Lots of very knowledgable folks.
More info on maintenance than you could possible read in 1 sitting
JMHO
Denny WA8SHC and Rita WB8TIR
Siberian Husky Ta'kya (Princess RIP 10/04 Taz RIP 5/12/08)
2007 Dodge Ram 2500 Quad Cab 5.9L CTD 3.73/LSD,Quadzilla RECON monitor
2008 Rockwood 8243S 5th wheel
Pullrite 14K Superglide & MorRyde pinbox
|
Blind45
Largo, Florida
Senior Member
Joined: 01/27/2006
View Profile
Offline
|
Using that big of a truck is not ridiculous at all. My truck is rated to pull a 16K FW and mine weighs only 7,500 lb. I like having the extra power. Like Tim the tool man used to say, "More Power".
04 Keystone Springdale 245RL
06 Ford F-250 PSD
Super Cab, Long Bed, 3.73 gears
Firestone Rite-Ride Air Bags
The 2 of us since 1972
Taz the Dalmatian
|
drewnick
Greenville, SC
Senior Member
Joined: 09/08/2007
View Profile
Offline
|
Thanks, I am going to investigate the dealer-installed options. Don't want to risk warranty.
|
summutt2002
Mountains of Utah-7000'
Senior Member
Joined: 02/08/2002
View Profile
Offline
|
This is the one I have. Works for me.
Great wife, 3.1 dogs and no money..LIFE IS GOOD
'01 Excursion Ltd 7.3L PSD pulling a '06 Prowler 260RLS, Equal-i-zer, Prodigy
|
|
|
