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Bruce Ward
Dodge Dakota
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3/28/2005
15:13:15
|
 Subject: Towing in over drive
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Message:
I made a ~450 mile round trip towing a 10'
enclosed trailer with my 04 QC 4.7 Auto AWD
Dakota with tow package and 3.55 gears last week.
I drove with over drive off until up to speed on
the freeway. Then I turned over drive back on and
cruised at up to 85 mph. I did not notice any
problems at all.
Since then I have read posts here and heard from
a friend that it is a bad idea to two in over
drive.
The Dodge towing website
( http://www.dodge.com/towing/D/basics/index.html )
says it is recommended to lock out overdrive in
"hilly areas and with heavy loads". It also says
"Use overdrive with lighter loads and in flat
terrain to increase fuel efficiency"
The Dakota was not struggling at any point.
Should I have used overdrive?
Wednesday the Dakota is pulling a 16' car hauler
and 1500 pound track car on a ~2000 mile round
trip. What about using overdrive with this load?
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Kowlski
Dodge Dakota
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3/28/2005
15:23:54
| RE: Towing in over drive
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Message:
I would - many of us with the 4.7 tow with overdrive on. I tow a 5000 lb camper in steep, hilly terrain with no adverse affects yet. It only seems to go into over drive when you'd want it too, never had a problem with it hunting gears.
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Bruce Ward
Dodge Dakota
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3/28/2005
15:35:31
| RE: Towing in over drive
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Message:
That sounds reasonable to me.
As an interesting note, I got 15 mpg pulling the
10' enclosed trailer the first 20 miles to get to
the freeway with OD off. Then once I got to the
freeway mileage dropped to 10 mpg due to the
increased speed. The mpg did not seem to change
between 70 and 85 mpg but there was a big
difference between 50 and 70 mph.
Last night my brother borrowed the Dakota and
pulled empty 16' car hauler to his home 60 miles
away. He averaged 18 mpg!
Obviously he has a much lighter foot than I do!
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caulk04
Dodge Dakota
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3/28/2005
17:21:23
| RE: Towing in over drive
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Message:
It seems to me that the reason it is suggested to tow with OD off is to keep from overheating the tranny because of the converter being unlocked all the time.
If it will hold the TC (converter) lock, leave it in OD for fuel milage. If it keeps dropping in and out of the TC lock, keep the OD off.
When the OD is off, it will lock the TC in a lower gear and allow cooler operation of the tranny.
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cgarman
Dodge Dakota
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3/28/2005
21:33:31
| RE: Towing in over drive
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Bruce:
Personally, I would err on the side of caution while towing. I bought a 20 foot travel trailer and towed it with a V-6 last year. While I did not have any problems, I locked out the OD while towing. I just checked this morning on getting a V-8, 1994, Dakota transmission overhauled, $2,000 it is pretty pricey way to find out whether your OD will take the load or not or you have damage to your tranny! By the way, I use AMSOIL in the tranny on the V-6.
Charles
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Rob C
Dodge Dakota
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3/29/2005
01:32:05
|  RE: Towing in over drive
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Message:
Bruce Ward, if you're towing long distances often, you might want to invest in a trans temperature gauge to keep track of how hot your tranny is greating. Some Amsoil tranny fluid probably wouldn't hurt either.
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BruceWard
Dodge Dakota
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3/29/2005
12:04:55
| RE: Towing in over drive
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Message:
Ok three more questions
1. My Dakota is an 04 with 4K miles. I am assuming that as long as the weight being towed is less than what the truck is rated for and the towing guide / owners manual instructions are followed any repairs needed to the transmission should be covered by the warranty?
2. After this next tow the Dakota will have 6K miles on it, 2500 of which will have been towing miles. Is it too early to change the transmission fluid and if so is Amsoil the best?
3. Are tranny temp guages readily available? How difficult is the install?
Thanks
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Kowalski
GenIII
3/29/2005
15:11:54
| RE: Towing in over drive
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Message:
When I changed my tranny fluid at 30,000 it still looked and smelled like new.
Cgarman - If I had the transmission you have behind your v6, I'd leave OD off too. The 45RFE is a different beast.
Lead, follow, or get out of the way
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Rob C
Dodge Dakota
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3/30/2005
00:01:18
| RE: Towing in over drive
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Message:
Darn Bruce, you're a brave man towing heavy loads long distances before your engine even has break-in mileage. I don't think the tranny has a "break in" period (no rings to seat) but, Amsoil claims to be the best. There are so many synthetic products out there, just make sure it's rated as a replacement for HFM(highly friction modified) ATF like ATF+3 or ATF+4.
As far as the trans temp gauge, B&M makes an easy to install kit. The sending unit installs inline with the cooler line going to the radiator, the gauge itself is a standard 2 1/4" round with polished rim. I bought one a long time ago for $35.95 but that was in ancient times, it'd probably cost much more now but, it was definitely a very complete, high quality kit, it even had lighting and a mounting kit.
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Terry Wilson
Dodge Dakota
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6/24/2006
20:59:02
| RE: Towing in over drive
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Message:
So the consensus is as long as it's not hunting gears it is ok to tow in overdrive with the 4.7 ?
Also I have noticed my '04 Quad Cab has a transmission temp. warning light in the dash (see it a few seconds when first turn key on) - would this come on in time to not hurt anything if the trans was getting too hot from towing in OD ?
Thanks in advance -
Terry
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Kowalski
GenIII
6/25/2006
08:50:35
| RE: Towing in over drive
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Message:
Many of us with the 4.7 have been leaving OD on with good results. That overheat light should help; I don't know what temp its set for though. If you have the tow package with the tranny cooler, I wouldn't worry about it.
Lead, follow, or get out of the way
|
temp
Dodge Dakota
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6/25/2006
17:30:18
| RE: Towing in over drive
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Message:
trans light comes on at 275 degrees according to FSM for 2003 Dakota 4.7 auto.
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Obio3
Dodge Dakota
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6/25/2006
17:55:01
| RE: Towing in over drive
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Message:
The tow Pkg is the important part. It includes the extra cooling needed for towing. I use my OD all the time with my camper on and pulling the 4 wheeler behind it. I have drove it enough that way that I'm well aware when its going to start shifting back and forth on me. At that point the first time it shifts out of OD I lock it out till the road levels out again. If you do not have the extra trany cooler I would not even consider using overdrive with any kind of load. Your just asking for trouble. I also don't think the v6 was ment to do heavy duty service as the v8 is with it's better trany. Just my opinion but I think it's a good one. Also, how many of you know the Dakota towing pkg DOES NOT include heavier rear springs!. They are a seperate option. I ordered my truck to haul a camper. It came with the towing pkg but also a yellow paper in the glove box stating (not intended to haul a camper. My dealer was not aware there was a rear spring option so he replaced them free of charge. I can not express how great these springs are compared to regular ones And ride quality was uneffected.
So many problems .... So little time
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Terry Wilson
Dodge Dakota
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6/26/2006
09:12:20
| RE: Towing in over drive
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Message:
Thanks for the repies -
My truck doesn't have a towing package I don't think (no factory hitch)but does have a transmission cooler built into the radiator. Is this the same cooler you are talking about or does the towing pkg. include another one in addition to it ?
Thanks again,
Terry
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Kowalski
GenIII
6/26/2006
16:08:59
| RE: Towing in over drive
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Message:
All automatics have that cooler in the radiator; the tow package includes another cooler in front of the radiator.
I think most of us are aware the tow package doesn't include the heavier springs; although I've seen one member who had that mistaken impression. The 2000 lb springs are definitely a separate option.
Lead, follow, or get out of the way
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big earl
Dodge Dakota
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7/04/2006
15:08:32
| cooling temps while towing?
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Message:
i have a 2000 4.7 4*4 club cab auto, 3.55 gears. had a aftermarket trans cooler installed, and a eq hitch. i tow a 23' skyline. wet weight is about 4500 lbs thats with all my camping stuff, iam on the high side of weight. the cooling temp ran around 215' on flats, and little hills and 235' on a 3% grades long hills on the pass and got to 245' on a short 5% grades in the pass. when it got to 245' i turned on the heater to pull some heat off, and didn't run the ac. truck pulls just fine, i drive with OD off. what can i do, to lower the cooling temp, and cooling fluid was changed last week.
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Kowalski
GenIII
7/04/2006
15:45:46
| RE: Towing in over drive
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Message:
You could try flushing the radiator, and make sure fan is in good shape, belt isn't slipping.
Lead, follow, or get out of the way
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big earl
Dodge Dakota
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7/04/2006
16:03:56
| cooling temps
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Message:
towed a trailer weighing 4500 lbs wet. towed it with a 2000 4.7 4*4 clubcab auto, 3.55 gears, [trans cooler, eq hitch] after market. temps ran around 215' on little hills and flats. got to 235' on the long 3% grades. got to 245' on the short 5% grades. when it got to the 245' range i turned on the heater to pull some heat off the engine. ac was off. and was driving with OD off. raditor fluid was changed last week. truck pulled just fine. little concered about the the 245' degrees on the 5% grade. going to do this trip twice more this summer.
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echo
Dodge Dakota
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7/05/2006
16:22:05
|  RE: Towing in over drive
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Message:
Hey, big earl - I hear an echo !
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Tom A.
Dodge Dakota
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1/22/2008
18:43:14
| max towing weight
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Message:
I have a 2006 Dodge Dakota 4x4. I have heard that I can tow up to 7150 Lbs. ( a pull behind camping trailer) is this correct? My unit weighs 4800 Lbs dry weight. Thank You for your info.
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OBIO3
Dodge Dakota
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1/22/2008
19:38:14
| RE: Towing in over drive
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Message:
It tells you in your owners pkg.
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