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Thread: towing in fourth

  1. #1
    Join Date
    Mar 2004
    Location
    Bowling Green Va
    Posts
    70

    Post

    I know GM doesn't recommend towing in fourth, but any of who do it on a regular basis? How many miles on vehicle? any problems?
    95 excab K2500 354,000+miles
    />89 excab K1500 489,000<br />84 conv. van 225,000<br />97 Passat TDI 304,000<br />96 Passat TDI 178,000<br />98 Jetta TDI 165,000<br />All diesel

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Nov 2003
    Location
    Princeton, NJ
    Posts
    345

    Post

    I routinely tow in 4th. No problems. Of course I have a 4.10 rear, but I've seen many others on this forum who use 4th as well.
    \'98 Chevy Suburban 2500 4X4, 6.5TD, 94K, 4.10 gears<br />K&N air filter, 4\" Magnaflow Performance Exhaust (cat modified), Isspro gauges (boost, pyro and tranny), Bilsteins, remote FSD, Turbo-Master, Max-E-Tork ECM, HO injectors, Jordan controller, Keystone Cougar 304 BHS<br />GCW 17,800# (all 7 of us, but without the bikes).<br />tstadulis@aol.com

  3. #3
    Tough Guy Guest

    Post

    I tow with my 6.5L/4L80E in OD always, and I got 150,000 miles out of it before the OD planetary exploded...If you've got the power, use it.

    Cheers

  4. #4
    rjschoolcraft Guest

    Post

    I have 220,000 miles on my 4L80E. I tow in OD all the time.

  5. #5
    CareyWeber Guest

    Post

    Originally posted by farmerherb:
    I know GM doesn't recommend towing in fourth, but any of who do it on a regular basis? How many miles on vehicle? any problems?
    I always tow in overdrive with my truck unless it starts hunting between gears.

    4L80E = tow in overdrive unless it starts hunting between gears


    4L60E = never tow in overdrive

    Carey

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Feb 2001
    Location
    Collegeville, Pa
    Posts
    1,479

    Post

    154,000 miles and still counting. Use 4th most all the time unless I need to pull it down to a lower gear in advance of an autoshift. I keep the converter locked above 35mph, with the "BD" "Torq-Loc" which keeps the fluid cooler, also gives me extra gears. ie; 1st, 2nd, 2nd(locked), 3rd, 3rd(locked), 4th, 4th(locked), Works great with 7 ranges.
    Tom McCauley (DP Member #513)
    "Tankers-ToyII" Loaded 05 D/A K-3500 CC, SRW. Deep pan on Allison w/Transyn. Edge Juice w/attitude, 4" Kennedy exhaust, 98 Gal. Transfer-Flow cross bed fuel tank, Leer 100XQ bed cap. Reese 14,000lb class V hitch w/ dual cam HP sway control. Tow 34ft. 32FKD Holiday Rambler travel trailer. GCW 20,360lbs

  7. #7
    autocrosser Guest

    Post

    The 95 trucks had a sticker on them saying to not tow in OD. I haven't seen one on the 96 and newer ones.

  8. #8
    Join Date
    Dec 2002
    Location
    Winter Garden FL
    Posts
    6

    Angry

    When I purchased my 96 -- 3 years ago I had to sign a form from the sales dept. not to tow in OD. Tried towing without OD an got lousey mileage. Went tyo OD with much better results. Except of course when engine starts hunting, then I downshift, 193.000 miles so far.
    96 3/4 chevy with 6.5 diesel looking to upgrade to Duramax with allison tranny in 8months

  9. #9
    Join Date
    Mar 2001
    Location
    Princeton NJ
    Posts
    638

    Post

    That's an old wives tail brought forward from the 700r4 trans.

    My hub odometer on the trailer has 87,000+ miles on it and all of that was in OD. That why I got rid of the 86 Sub and the 700r4.
    1997 Chevy 2500 4x4, Intercooler, BD Computer, BD Exhaust Brake, BD Torque Lock, Propane Assisted from Trailer, Remote trans cooler, and More on my page http://mysite.verizon.net/vze54tx9
    My other project.
    http://mysite.verizon.net/vze54tx9/kayak

  10. #10
    Join Date
    Jun 2000
    Location
    Morrisville, VT, USA
    Posts
    2,401

    Cool

    Tanker.
    How do you get 2nd gear Tork-Loc? Do you have the DIY resistor installed that I've read about in the DP? I only get lock-up in 3rd and 4th with my Sub. I could use 2nd lock-up with my Tork-Loc and US Gear exhaust brake coming down some long mountain grades out West.
    BTW, I tow in 4th all the time. I saw a maximum of 210 degrees transmission temp., the other day, coming up out of Bullhead City, AZ,. That's a 14 mile pull, up, what, an 8% grade? With 170K on the clock, I think that speaks well for the L80E.
    Dick Wells
    2008 Jaco Seneca 35' motor home (Kodiak 5500 chassis). Pulling 18' Wells Cargo enclosed trailer, with 2016 Miata in it.

  11. #11
    Join Date
    Aug 2001
    Location
    Gautier, Ms USA
    Posts
    465

    Post

    OD tow all the time 3:73 without problems, my tranny builder says no problem keep the fluid clean and cool and you won't have any problems.
    Tim, 98GM K1500 6.5TD(L56/L65), Heath PCM,3.73 gear,4L80 tr,4" exh,Amz air filt&dual oil flts, Heath remote FSD, TDO-7 clone turbo, Heath fan clutch,mandrel crossover, pilar gage BST/EGT/TRN, remote elec fan tran cool,alum trn pan

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