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Towing Ability with Cummins Engine with AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

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Joe Smith

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Jun 21, 2001, 9:13:50 AM6/21/01
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Please tell me your experiences towing a fifth wheel with a Cummins Diesel
with the AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION.

How much does your trailer weigh (indicate loaded or dry weight)?

How well does it pull the trailer up a moderately steep hill?

Any advice or hints before I get a fifth wheel?


Bob

--------------------------------------
rdb...@ecentral.com

Doug

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Jun 21, 2001, 12:15:45 PM6/21/01
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I tow a 10,000 lb wet trailer about 8,000-9,000 miles a year here in the
Rockies. I will slow to 50 mph on a interstate hill and down to 40-45 mph on
steeper non-interstate hills. From here to Las Vegas is 500 miles over 3
mountian passes and it takes me only 1 hour longer if I am towing a trailer
(8.5 hours instead of 7.5). I maintain the interstate speed limit of 70-75. I
do have an auxillary trans cooler and my truck is a stock 1992 cummins 3/4 ton.
My only problem has been brakes. Can't seem to not crack rotors and I have
(since the first $600 brake job) treated them like babies. Hope this helps.

>Please tell me your experiences towing a fifth wheel with a Cummins Diesel
>with the AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION.


Doug
Grand Junction, CO
Klaatu Baarata Nicto

MAX340

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Jun 21, 2001, 4:59:14 PM6/21/01
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Bob, try looking at www.turbodieselregister.com under the discussion forums.
There is a section specifically for towing.


Max

"Reality.exe" not found ------->Application "Universe" terminated.

Wendy S

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Jun 23, 2001, 6:55:25 PM6/23/01
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Joe Smith wrote:
> Please tell me your experiences towing a fifth wheel with a Cummins Diesel
> with the AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION.

I pull a 3 horse steel gooseneck with a 98 Dodge 2500 diesel.
(Dealer website shows 12,000 lbs.) From Phoenix up to the White
Mountains or up to Flagstaff, the truck DOES notice that the trailer
is back there. Those are fairly steep hills, 6% grades IIRC. I
certainly can't maintain 75 up the hills, but that's probably
unreasonable to expect. At 50-55, it motors right along with no
trouble.

On flat ground, the truck doesn't even notice that the trailer is back
there. And it gets pretty much the same mileage regardless of pulling
or not-- 13-15 mpg.

The brakes on the 98 are weird... surely they have fixed that by now.
My friend's 2001 stops MUCH better, although I haven't pulled the same
trailer with it. Sometimes my brake pedal is soft, and sometimes
quite hard to push down. They've never failed, though.

We did just have to have three solenoids replaced in the transmission
to the tune of $700. I don't know if I did something to cause that or
if the automatics are prone to trouble.

I didn't get the automatic because I have enough to worry about while
hauling horses-- I figure the truck knows what gear it ought to be in
better than I do. Having been stuck in the mud twice now, I would go
with a 4wd if I had it to do over, but I'd still get the automatic.

--
Wendy in Chandler AZ
http://members.home.com/wendywds
wendywds *at* home *dot* com

Jack Thorpe

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Jun 23, 2001, 8:21:10 PM6/23/01
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"Joe Smith" <smi...@uarethere.com> wrote in message
news:DnmY6.99874$Ne5.3...@e420r-sjo3.usenetserver.com...

> Please tell me your experiences towing a fifth wheel with a Cummins Diesel
> with the AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION.
>
> How much does your trailer weigh (indicate loaded or dry weight)?
>
> How well does it pull the trailer up a moderately steep hill?
>
> Any advice or hints before I get a fifth wheel?
>
>

99 QC 2wd, auto 4.10 rear end. Tows my 9k lbs 5ver quite nicely. I can do
about 55 mph up a 8-9% grade. Mileage is 12.5--13.5 loaded, near 20 empty.
Replaced stock TC and VB with high-performance so I wouldn't have to mess
with the tranny a second time. Good luck.


Paul Gamble

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Jun 23, 2001, 8:43:17 PM6/23/01
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I pull a 5th wheel travel trailer with a 1997 ram 2500 diesel
automatic. I have 77000 miles on it with
no transmission problems. Change oil in transmision two times. The
truck and trailer loaded weights
in at 17300 lbs. I get 12 to 12 1/2 mi to gal pulling the trailer. I
get 21mi on the free way. I live in Peoria
AZ so have pull the mountains at 45 to 50 mi per hr. I really like the
truck

pga...@qwest.net
"Wendy S" <wend...@home.com> wrote in message
news:3B351208...@home.com...

Bruce

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Jun 26, 2001, 6:57:04 PM6/26/01
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> 99 QC 2wd, auto 4.10 rear end. Tows my 9k lbs 5ver quite nicely. I can do
> about 55 mph up a 8-9% grade. Mileage is 12.5--13.5 loaded, near 20 empty.
> Replaced stock TC and VB with high-performance so I wouldn't have to mess
> with the tranny a second time. Good luck.
>
Which TC and VB did you use? I'm considering changing mine too.
--
Bruce Grant
Westminster, Md
95 2500 CC 4x4 Cummins(270 HP)/Auto 265/70Rx19.5(G)

Wendy S

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Jun 23, 2001, 6:55:25 PM6/23/01
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Joe Smith wrote:
> Please tell me your experiences towing a fifth wheel with a Cummins Diesel
> with the AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION.

I pull a 3 horse steel gooseneck with a 98 Dodge 2500 diesel.

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Bruce

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Jun 26, 2001, 6:57:04 PM6/26/01
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> 99 QC 2wd, auto 4.10 rear end. Tows my 9k lbs 5ver quite nicely. I can do
> about 55 mph up a 8-9% grade. Mileage is 12.5--13.5 loaded, near 20 empty.
> Replaced stock TC and VB with high-performance so I wouldn't have to mess
> with the tranny a second time. Good luck.
>
Which TC and VB did you use? I'm considering changing mine too.
--
Bruce Grant
Westminster, Md
95 2500 CC 4x4 Cummins(270 HP)/Auto 265/70Rx19.5(G)

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Jack Thorpe

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Jun 23, 2001, 8:21:10 PM6/23/01
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"Joe Smith" <smi...@uarethere.com> wrote in message
news:DnmY6.99874$Ne5.3...@e420r-sjo3.usenetserver.com...
> Please tell me your experiences towing a fifth wheel with a Cummins Diesel
> with the AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION.
>
> How much does your trailer weigh (indicate loaded or dry weight)?
>
> How well does it pull the trailer up a moderately steep hill?
>
> Any advice or hints before I get a fifth wheel?
>
>

99 QC 2wd, auto 4.10 rear end. Tows my 9k lbs 5ver quite nicely. I can do


about 55 mph up a 8-9% grade. Mileage is 12.5--13.5 loaded, near 20 empty.
Replaced stock TC and VB with high-performance so I wouldn't have to mess
with the tranny a second time. Good luck.

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Paul Gamble

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Jun 23, 2001, 8:43:17 PM6/23/01
to
I pull a 5th wheel travel trailer with a 1997 ram 2500 diesel
automatic. I have 77000 miles on it with
no transmission problems. Change oil in transmision two times. The
truck and trailer loaded weights
in at 17300 lbs. I get 12 to 12 1/2 mi to gal pulling the trailer. I
get 21mi on the free way. I live in Peoria
AZ so have pull the mountains at 45 to 50 mi per hr. I really like the
truck

pga...@qwest.net
"Wendy S" <wend...@home.com> wrote in message
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