I think Auto trans makes a big difference with towing - I had a '94 Dodge
p/u with 318 and auto, and it towed a 20' enclosed trailer like it wasn't
there. As I recall it had a button for tow mode on the tranny. Also
expectations make a big difference - I expect to slow down going up a hill,
and down-shift once or twice if needed - doesn't bother me at all. But I
have friends who's definition of acceptable is to go up Hamilton Mountain
towing a 45' fifth wheel with four cars and a load of gear, and not shift
out of high gear or drop below 60 mph. I'm told that their new Ford 350
turbo diesel dually will do that - but it costs more than my first house!
Brian
At 07:33 AM 08/15/2000 -0400, Henry Frye wrote:
>At 08:22 PM 8/14/00 -0400, Derek Harling wrote:
> >Sounds like you need to downshift more. Need to keep revs up with these
> modern
> >engines.
>
>Derek, define "keeping the revs up"... I'm turning about 3000 to 3100 RPM's
>doing 65 to 70. That is right at the peak of the torque range. As I
>approach the bottom of a big hill I routinely floor it, and watch the rev's
>slowly drop. On big hills I am forced to go down to third.
>
>You think I should select THIRD going 70ish at the base of every hill?
>Remember Uncle Jack's question... Will the 350 COMFORTABLY pull the
>trailer. Listening to my engine screaming at over 4000 rpm's is _WAY_
>outside the range of comfortable in my book.
>
> >Can't imagine you would ever use 5th for towing.
>
>Only on extended flat. It's happy as could be and pulls well.
>
> >My van only comes with auto - never use OD (except down mountains!)
>
>Down big mountains is when I never use 5th (OD). I want the engine braking.
>
> > - D is
> >fantastic for all interstates any speed from 50 to way over legal - "2" is
> >great for grades up to 70mph or so.
>
>I'd imagine your relationship with the big boys at Daimler/Chrysler
>replaces your engines for free. I like to redline the race car, not the tow
>vehicle. 70 in "2"???
>
> >I expect above also to applies to Ford and/or GM but can't imagine why
> anyone
> >would choose one of those in preference to Dodge van.
>
>I'm not touching that one.
>
>I've had the truck back to my bonehead dealer complaining about no power
>many times. They claim it's fine, but I seriously doubt they have done
>anything. I've recently put in a K&N air filter cartridge and that seemed
>to help. We will know the next race, I've got lots of mountains between
>Connecticut and Watkins Glen.
>
>My wife wants me to get a truck with an automatic transmission. After this
>race season I'll probably try to sell the Dodge and get something with some
>real balls.
Brian Evans
Director, Strategic Accounts
UUNET, A WorldCom Company
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