Towing Question

breakerbacker · **Joined:** Wed Dec 07, 2005 1:23 pm **Posts:** 76

I am getting ready to tow on a long trip, about 10 hrs each way. Will be towing a pop up camper which is pretty light, around 1700lbs or so. Can anyone shed any light on what to expect? Is a speed of 70 possible and safe? Can the tranny be left in OD or is the load heavy enough to require OD OFF? How about expected mileage?

Thanks for any help.

MrCRD · **Posted:** Wed Dec 07, 2005 1:49 pm

I wouldn't worry about the weight. However what is the length of it. Thats what will make life happy or not. I was pulling a 15 foot trailer including the tongue and it weighed close to 5000 lbs. I left it in overdrive through my trip in KS going between 65 and 70. And before I start hearing pancake jokes there are actually some long hills across it. I did have some sway if a strong crosswind hit me or I passed a semi. Other than that it was fine. Like anytime pulling something you need to be aware of your surroundings and check your cargo everytime you stop to make sure its still all hooked up.

2 Cents worth

Chris

LibertyCRD · **Posted:** Wed Dec 07, 2005 2:52 pm

With the CRD you won't have to turn OD off. That's the great thing about a turbo-diesel...your torque is actually at it's peak where you need it to be instead of 3,500 RPM like on a stupid gas engine. So leave your OD ON and just set the cruise control.

I towed 4,000 lbs. total weight up and down these KY hillsides on the Interstate with like 1,000 miles on the odometer when I bought mine. It never even flinched at the load. In fact, the CRD tows better than my full size 2004 Dodge Ram ever did. You'll not even know that camper is back there. Just enjoy.

naturist · **Posted:** Wed Dec 14, 2005 4:59 pm

1700 lbs should be no problem, but you need to note that the torque converter will not lock up below 55 mph with the OD on. If you can hold speeds in excess of 60, leaving the OD on is no problem, but if you find yourself dropping below 55, watch to be sure the hot-tranny light does not come on. If you find yourself climbing hills below 60, even with a trailer that light, you might want to turn OD off just to be sure you don't cook the torque converter.

I towed 3500 lbs about 130 miles over relatively flat interstates a few weeks ago, left OD on, and hardly noticed the load.

spoonplugger1 · **Posted:** Thu Dec 15, 2005 12:08 pm

Tow a 16 ft 2000+ lb jet sled with mine all the time, including over the Cascade Mts. Gets good mpg while doing it. Eats F150 towing rigs alive and gets over 50% better mpg.