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Thread: overdrive towing

  1. #1
    Join Date
    Jan 2005
    Location
    La Mirada, Cal
    Posts
    202

    Question overdrive towing

    hello --

    I've just moved up from a turbo 400 to a 4L80E transmission. Can a 3200 pound trailer be towed using overdrive on flat highway or should I keep the transmission in third gear? I'm very familiar with turbo 400 strengths while towing, but I'm at a loss with this overdrive transmission.

    thanks
    04 GMC Sierra, 4x4
    94 suburban, 4x4
    84 suburban, 6.2 with Banks. Turbo 400 w/4.10's. Ex-Fire truck.
    83 Volvo 760 turbo diesel. Yea it's ugly, but it gets 40 mpg on the highway...

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Apr 2001
    Location
    CA
    Posts
    13,573

    Arrow

    Overdrive is fine. It's "gear hunting" that will kill an auto. If it will hold the hear without shifting in/out often, it's no problem. 3,200# is a lightweight, in any case.
    1985 Blazer 6.2
    2001 GMC 2500HD D/A
    dmaxmaverick@thedieselpage.com

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Jan 2005
    Location
    La Mirada, Cal
    Posts
    202

    Default

    Hi Dmax..
    So if it starts to search for gears pull it into 3rd for that section of road. Can I drive with the cruise control on as long as its not hunting for gears..I usually pull at 60-62 mph max.....thanks again.
    04 GMC Sierra, 4x4
    94 suburban, 4x4
    84 suburban, 6.2 with Banks. Turbo 400 w/4.10's. Ex-Fire truck.
    83 Volvo 760 turbo diesel. Yea it's ugly, but it gets 40 mpg on the highway...

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Apr 2001
    Location
    CA
    Posts
    13,573

    Arrow

    Cruise is fine. Do what you have to do to prevent gear hunting. Speed up, slow down, or downshift. Whatever it takes. Often, getting the engine RPM's right will keep the power up with less pedal (or cruise input), which reduces gear hunting. 2-3 MPH up or down can make a big difference.
    1985 Blazer 6.2
    2001 GMC 2500HD D/A
    dmaxmaverick@thedieselpage.com

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Sep 2006
    Location
    Brooker, FL
    Posts
    1,217

    Default

    I agree. My M/H clocks in at around 16K, with much more frontal area than you have, I run in OD on most flat Interstates.
    '94 Barth 28' Breakaway M/H ("StaRV II") diesel pusher: Spartan chassis, aluminum birdcage construction. Peninsular/AMG 6.5L TD (230HP), 18:1, Phazer, non-wastgated turbo, hi-pop injectors, 4L80E (Sun Coast TC & rebuild, M-H Pan), Dana 80 (M-H Cover), Fluidampr, EGT, trans temp, boost gage. Honda EV-4010 gaso genset, furnace, roof air, stove, microwave/convection, 2-dr. 3-way reefer. KVH R5SL Satellite. Cruises 2, sleeps 4, carries 6, and parties 8 (parties 12 - tested).

    Stand-ins are an '02 Cadillac Escalade AWD 6.0L and an '06 Toyota Sienna Limited.

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