I have a 2004 gmc k1500 5.3 automatic that I would take an RV to Florida on I75. The trailer weight is well in the towing specs of the truck. The question is should I pull in overdrive or not? I also have gmc 3500HD bucket truck there is a sticker on the door that reads "when pulling a trailer do not use overdrive" what are your thoughts? I would think the gas mileage should be about the same.
- Thread starter BhB
- Start date
Knew a guy who worked in western Washington and had a ranch in eastern Oregon- so mucho miles, usually towing a cattle trailer or RV. He said don't use overdrive on a pull- better for the engine not be be lugging, and better for the transmission as well. His was diesel, but I think same principals would apply.
fixerupper
Well-known Member
Running higher RPMs when pulling a load might not affect your mileage. It might make the mileage better depending on where the ‘sweet spot’ for pulling is in your engine.
wilson ind
Well-known Member
If manufacture indicates not to do it, possibly you should not!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
showcrop
Well-known Member
I believe that on that vintage truck the button cancels overdrive as opposed to delaying the shifts like on newer trucks. Trailer towing is exactly what that button is there for. It would not be worth the additional wear that it would put on your transmission to save a few gallons of gas. I tow a few different trailers, and I don't press the button when towing the lightest one but I do for the heavier ones. If you know that you had a long downhill / level grade ahead of you it should be OK but otherwise leave the OD off.
I would keep it out of overdrive when pulling with that truck. I always figured lugging the engine and maybe heating up the trans. was harder on it than running a little higher RPM in drive. Doesn't that truck have a haul mode on the trans to be used when hauling? When I pulled with a half ton I never run it in OD. and gave up on getting good gas mileage. Its not going to happen especially pulling a large or even small RV.
Goose
Well-known Member
I have a 2000 that should be identical. Mine has a "Tow/Haul" button on the shifter. When you push the button, it reprograms the trans for towing. Yours should be the same.
When you push the button, it has noticeably higher rpm shift points, plus usually holds it out of OD. I say "usually", because on a down grade it will still shift into OD until it starts to pull again. Any time I'm towing or hauling anything, I push the button.
If your pickup does not have that feature, I would always hold it out of OD with the shifter when towing or hauling anything.
When I was with Ford, a fellow had a Crown Vic towed in, supposedly with the engine seized. Turned out, he'd been towing a 28' camper in OD, and the trans had gotten so hot some aluminum parts were actually welded together. There wasn't anything wrong with the engine, the trans wouldn't let the engine turn over. Believe it or not, the car was still under warranty and Ford covered it.
When you push the button, it has noticeably higher rpm shift points, plus usually holds it out of OD. I say "usually", because on a down grade it will still shift into OD until it starts to pull again. Any time I'm towing or hauling anything, I push the button.
If your pickup does not have that feature, I would always hold it out of OD with the shifter when towing or hauling anything.
When I was with Ford, a fellow had a Crown Vic towed in, supposedly with the engine seized. Turned out, he'd been towing a 28' camper in OD, and the trans had gotten so hot some aluminum parts were actually welded together. There wasn't anything wrong with the engine, the trans wouldn't let the engine turn over. Believe it or not, the car was still under warranty and Ford covered it.
the tractor vet
Well-known Member
You should NOT use O/D when towing . Yep it will eat more fuel but the O/D is not built that heavy . I have a 95 Dodge 3500 Cummins with a five speed with a poor choice of rear end gears, and i don't pull a trailer with it due to bed choice and with what i have in the box i have 400 lbs of working load left and according to the sticker i am pushing my luck running O/D . But running forth at stock max RPM only gives me 56 MPH flat on the floor . Out on the interstate in high winds head on 72-74 MPH is all i can pull out of it. in OD and that is working the snot out of it.
If your RV is a travel trailer it will have a lot of wind resistance, even on down hill runs. When towing a large trailer, I get better performance and better gas mileage staying out of overdrive. Most engines are more fuel efficient running in their power band, than they are lugging down below their peak torque RPMs. If you want, you could try shifting into overdrive on the down hill runs and then shift back down before the engine starts to lug on the next flat stretch or climb.
Thank you for all your comments I will heed the advice, it all seems to be against OD. It does have the switch to control the overdrive. I am not sure if turns it off completely or adjust the shift points. I will not use the overdrive then I know it is off. I do use the switch when I pull a 6X10 cargo trailer with the bike in it, it does shift back and forth. The truck has just over 50,000 miles because gas cost to much. Sometime it isn't the best not to drive but that is another story. Again thank you for your advice. Bill
Blackhole49
Well-known Member
- Location
- White Lake MI
When I pull my 24' with my 2008 5.3, I use trailer mode and run it in 3rd gear. I run about 64 and get the same mileage as D in towing mode. I kick it out of cruise on grades I know it will down shift and let it drift down. Either way I get about 10 mpg.
Similar threads
We sell tractor parts! We have the parts you need to repair your tractor - the right parts. Our low prices and years of research make us your best choice when you need parts. Shop Online Today.
Copyright © 1997-2024 Yesterday's Tractor Co.
All Rights Reserved. Reproduction of any part of this website, including design and content, without written permission is strictly prohibited. Trade Marks and Trade Names contained and used in this Website are those of others, and are used in this Website in a descriptive sense to refer to the products of others. Use of this Web site constitutes acceptance of our User Agreement and Privacy Policy TRADEMARK DISCLAIMER: Tradenames and Trademarks referred to within Yesterday's Tractor Co. products and within the Yesterday's Tractor Co. websites are the property of their respective trademark holders. None of these trademark holders are affiliated with Yesterday's Tractor Co., our products, or our website nor are we sponsored by them. John Deere and its logos are the registered trademarks of the John Deere Corporation. Agco, Agco Allis, White, Massey Ferguson and their logos are the registered trademarks of AGCO Corporation. Case, Case-IH, Farmall, International Harvester, New Holland and their logos are registered trademarks of CNH Global N.V.
Yesterday's Tractors - Antique Tractor Headquarters
Website Accessibility Policy