towed my camper (19' long, 4300lb GVWR) 500km yesterday and during the last 70km or so I noticed the jeep shuttering a bit while climbing small hills that I stayed in overdrive for.

1. I searched the site and see this is a common problem with TC and sounds like it just gets worse, correct?

2. What seems to be the best solution, just replacing it with a chrysler part, or is there better aftermarket stuff?

3. Is it recommended to just stay out of overdrive while towing the whole time, or just switch it off for hills etc?

Thanks.

_________________
05 Liberty CRD Sport

With respect to question 2 the options seem to be the Mopar "Euro" TC or an aftermarket Suncoast TC. Upgrading the TC pump at the same time is likely a good idea.

Beyond that I'll let those that tow more than I weigh in.

By the way, welcome to LOST and if you have not already done so read Sir Sam's NOOB guide.

_________________
Sold to LOST member my 05 Ltd, GDE Stg II turbo + TCM tune, SunCoast TC w. Transgo kit, Steiger window regulators, Samcos, Fumoto valve, 2nd gen filter head with Lub. Spec. bleeder, Hayden clutch & 11 blade fan, inverted spare, P-1 battery, BF Goodrich Long Trail TAs, Etecno1 glow plugs, timing belt at 50K miles/8 yrs

With this weight behind, I would leave the overdrive off for any curvy/hilly road sections. I believe most towing aficionados would recommend using overdrive only when cruising steady at 65 mph on straight even roads...

_________________
RIP 10/31/2012
Green Metallic 2006 CRD Limited
GDE Hot tune ~ Pre-F37 TCM ~ Transgo shift kit ~ MagnaFlow ~ Homemade Provent ~ OME 2" lift & Airlift ~ Samco ~ Euro TC ~ Lift pump ~ Nylon fan blade & Hayden clutch ~ Etc!

Get two tubes of Dr Tranny's Instant Shudder Fix by Lubegard. I tow ALOT in the mountains with mine with no problems and I still have the stock TC.

_________________
GDE FT Ecotune, EHM, Weeks kit stage 1 & 2, Carter 4600 lift pump, Upgraded tranny, Fishing boat hauler!
New at 164K: head gasket, rockers, exhaust valves, ARP head studs, Injectors, 5v Bosch glow plugs, water pump, timing everything, serpentine everything,
New at 225k: new head, timing belt

If you tow a lot you may want to look into GDE's towing programming for your TCM (tranmission control module) that holds gears longer and highter shift points
If you get a better torque converter either Chrysler's or a Sun Coast's, then GDE's full torque tune is in order.
Dr Tranny was talked about a few years ago and worked well for some.
The shudder and slipping is caused by the engine's torque curve is high at low rpms.
I tow our 3500# camper with the Chrysler's TC and new front pump and GDE's full torque tune. I have 2 TCM's, one with the later shift points that has the F37 programing that cuts fuel mileage but I find the later shift points are good when towing. The other TCM has one of the original versions of the original programming all 05 and 06 CRD's came with. It gives me 4 mpg better city mileage but shifts too low for good trailer towing.
I know there were at least two versions of original programming and maybe more.
Ideal would be two tcm's installed with a switch so either could be selected. It's a pain to swap them out.
Oddly enough my 1993 VW Eurovan has a switch that changes shift points with the flip of a switch. That would be nice on our CRD's
If only our OD Off switch could be made to operate this way

_________________
Atlantic Blue 06 CRD Limited (his)
Joined by a 2000 XJ Classic (hers)