Towing in OD

[SWDoodle]

I was wondering if towing 16,000 lbs in OD with a 6.0/4.10 is safe. I live in flat country and when pulling my stock trailer I usually pull it in OD with tow/haul on. The temp doesn't ever rise above 150 and the tranny doesn't downshift unless I do happen to come to a hill. Should I pull in 3rd to be safe? If I do that it runs 2800-3000 rpms and that seems like to much to me. I do realize though these small blocks make power at the higher rpm range. Just wanted to know if its hard on the tranny.

[Rollingbones]

If you have the tow/haul (which is short for tow trailer or haul ass...I think) option (which you should) use that. Also check your owners manual to see if your vehicle is rated for that amount of weight (including tongue weight).

[maxwedge]

Originally Posted by SWDoodle

I was wondering if towing 16,000 lbs in OD with a 6.0/4.10 is safe. I live in flat country and when pulling my stock trailer I usually pull it in OD with tow/haul on. The temp doesn't ever rise above 150 and the tranny doesn't downshift unless I do happen to come to a hill. Should I pull in 3rd to be safe? If I do that it runs 2800-3000 rpms and that seems like to much to me. I do realize though these small blocks make power at the higher rpm range. Just wanted to know if its hard on the tranny.

Specifically not recommended, o/d unit is too small to handle that kind of load, also mentioned in owners manual, just the wind resistance even on a level road at that weight is tough..

[jeverett]

If you're pulling on level ground, i'd say you were fine using the tow/haul mode in overdrive. Thats what it's there for.

I pulled our bass boat in OD everywhere i went with it.

[horse482]

If you want you trans to last a long time don't even pull a small trailer in o/d, even if your truck has t/h mode. I know of about 4 people that have smoked their trans doing the same thing. They have not had any problems after towing in drive instead of o/d.

[jeverett]

I've never had any problems using tow/haul and using OD. Ive had the truck for 5 years WITH 80% torque management taken out of the tranny. If mine hasn't torn up, yours wont either.

Especially wiht a 6.0, your tranny is the 4l80e, which is tons tougher than my 4l60e in my half ton.

[SWDoodle]

I hauled some cattle to sale today and weighed in at just over 18,000lbs. Stuck in 3rd at 65 and pulled it fine. Empty the trailer weighs right at 4000 lbs. I usually just pull this in OD with tow/haul because it doesn't ever downshift and with the 4.10's it's already running 2400 rpms anyways. Do you think it's hard to run it in OD at this weight? It's my opinion that as long as it's no downshifting you're allright but correct me if I'm wrong.

[wrparks]

Do the 04's even have overdrive transmission? It seems like I remember my book saying there isn't on my truck and that the tow haul button just adjusts shift points to make the rpm's go higher before shifting gears to reduce strain on the system. I don't do much towing, but do load the bed up quite often with 1000 lbs or so. Also, I was under the impression that when you have an overdrive transmission, pressing the tow/haul button would just bypass the od system which would keep if from slipping in and out. Is that incorrect.

[silverado122775]

Originally Posted by wrparks

Do the 04's even have overdrive transmission? It seems like I remember my book saying there isn't on my truck and that the tow haul button just adjusts shift points to make the rpm's go higher before shifting gears to reduce strain on the system. I don't do much towing, but do load the bed up quite often with 1000 lbs or so. Also, I was under the impression that when you have an overdrive transmission, pressing the tow/haul button would just bypass the od system which would keep if from slipping in and out. Is that incorrect.

The T/H button adjust the shift points on the tranny that is it.. it will shift into O/D depending on how hard you are pushing the gas pedal. I use the T/H switch whenever I am towing or hauling.. it saves the tranny from straining on the taller gear at the lower RPM's. if you have the T/H on you should be fine... and with the 4.10's you RPM's are going to be higher anyways.