For you RAM guys

[Longhauler-THOR]

I have 2011 Ram 2500 with CTD and 4.10 rear end and trans 68RFE with 14,000 miles. I tow in tow/haul mode with exhaust brake on. While towing my 5ver in 6th gear which is around 1700rpms I get a shudder when going up an over pass or incline in the road or strong head wind. Is this normal and has anyone else experienced this same thing. My question is shouldn't the trans shift to a lower gear before this shudder starts or do you have to put the trans in 5th gear. I had a Ram mechanic ride with me while towing and he thought the 5th wheel was too much for 6th gear when going up any type of hill. My 5ver only weighs around 10,000lbs and I would think the trans should shift on its own.

Just looking to see what you other Ram owners have experienced while towing, thanks for you info.



Edited by: longhauler

 

[fhenn]

Next time you are in your truck look at the shift point. I think that 1700 rpm is rifgt ast the shift point. if thsat is the case than I would tow in fifth gear. Keep in mind the the tow mode has a different shift point than the standard shift points

 

[dbuster-XRD]

I don't think you should tow a heavy trailer in anything more than 5th gear. I think 6th is kind of an overdrive -- better mileage, not as much power.

We always put our Ram in tow/haul mode, then we use the plus/minus button on the gear shift lever to set the transmission so it won't go into 6th gear. To do that, when you have the truck in DRIVE, with foot on brake, hit the minus part of the button til you see 5 or 4 or whatever gear you want, in your display in the instrument cluster. That tells the tranny not to shift to any higher gear than 5th or whatever you choose. It will then shift only through the first five gears without ever going into 6th. It cancels automatically when you turn off the ignition.

I was told that towing in 6th gear is generally not a great idea.

 

[Longhauler-THOR]

I don't think you should tow a heavy trailer in anything more than 5th gear. I think 6th is kind of an overdrive -- better mileage, not as much power.

We always put our Ram in tow/haul mode, then we use the plus/minus button on the gear shift lever to set the transmission so it won't go into 6th gear. To do that, when you have the truck in DRIVE, with foot on brake, hit the minus part of the button til you see 5 or 4 or whatever gear you want, in your display in the instrument cluster. That tells the tranny not to shift to any higher gear than 5th or whatever you choose. It will then shift only through the first five gears without ever going into 6th. It cancels automatically when you turn off the ignition.

I was told that towing in 6th gear is generally not a great idea.

dbuster, thanks for the info, I haven't been told not to tow in 6th before, I figured as long as I was in tow/haul mode I would be good. The Ram mechanic did show me about the +/- on the gear shift. He said I could change it at anytime and to go back to normal hold down the plus and the trans would go back to normal or it would reset when you turned the truck off. I guess Im just use to the older Rams when you turned over drive off you didn't have to worry about it and thought the tow/haul mode worked the same way on these new ones, thanks again

 

[happycampers-THOR]

I have the same setup as you (68rfe and 4.10s). I've never noticed a shudder in 6th. I tow in 6th all the time with tow/haul and exhaust brake on. I know that on these transmissions both 5th and 6th gear are overdrives (0.8:1 and 0.6:1). When we first got our 5er I didn't think overdrive was a good idea. After one trip I couldn't afford the fuel driving in 4th all the time. Even in 6th I only get about 11-12mpg with 11,000lb trailer. I went in to a local transmission shop and asked what I should do. His response was to put it in drive with t/h and go. He also said that these new transmissions (and TCMs) are smarter than most drivers. Its never had an issue finding the right gear. Occasionally, when there are lots of hills ahead I will manually drop it to 5th. I've also used the manual mode for long down grades with the exhaust brake.

 

[fhenn]

I checked today, my 2007 has the 373 gears in it in tow haul it shifted at 1900 rpm I would think that with you 410 your shift point would be about that 1700 range. Like others I will put in drive in the tow haul mode and just go no sixth gear shudder at all


Edited by: fhenn

 

[Longhauler-THOR]

I have a Smarty Jr. programmer that I had on the towing setting which is 70 more horses. So I backed it down to the mileage setting which is 40 horses and if it still does it I will put it on stock and see if that fixes the problem.

 

[tator447]

Chris,
I don't have 6 speed so I can't comment on your "shudder" but it would bother me. I have an F-250 and pull a 5er and when we got to NY on I-88 we hit a stretch of hill West ofCobleskill, NY that was 2.5 miles @ 6%. I use a Bully Dog and the thing I noticed on Tow Setting (25 add'l HP) was that when I got to any hills of any size...my RPM's never changed, the boost rating on the BD would. On normal 4 and 5% grades the boost would go to 4 or 5, which is minimal. When I got to the 6% grade it got to 10-11%, but maintained a steady speed of 57MPH. I noticed nothing at all either in the transmission or otherwise...but I do tow with the OD off. Normal running temps on I-80/90 through flat lands was oil @ 190 and transmission at 170 or so. When I got to the top of the largest grade my oil temp was 212 and transmission was at 202. These both came down almost immediately as we went down the other side of the grade. I hope others can weigh in more...I hope some of this helps. See you in July I hope.

Travel well,
Jim

 

[Longhauler-THOR]

Jim, thanks for the info, I understand the whole OD thing, but I would think when you but it in the T/H mode I would think the trans would know it's towing, but I'm finding out from some I shouldn't tow in 6th, but others are saying they do and have no problems. Hopefully its the programmer and this will fix this issue by lowing the horse power. I love the Dodge truck and Cummins, but I have never been a fan of their trans. If they could only put an Allison in it, then you would have a towing machine.

Thanks again and travel safe

 

[scott-XRD]

Longhauler, I don't have a Dodge or a diesel. I asked the question of O/D or no O/D while pulling. The most popular response I received was watch your trans temp and go from there. like you i got tired of watching the dollars bills fly out of the tailpipe not pulling in O/D. But after pulling in O/D several times I noticed the trans temp did not go up and when I hit a slight incline (very slight) the trans would shift out of O/D. As someone mentioned earlier these things are very smart, if 6th gear cannot pull it, it will shift back a gear. If it doesn't and you see your trans temp start to rise then shift it manually. Good luck!!!

 

[fhenn]

be very careful about tuner on these new trucks. The computers ibn these trucks are a smart type, unlike the old dumb ones. These will tell the dealership if the programing has been changed

 

[happycampers-THOR]

be very careful about tuner on these new trucks. The computers ibn these trucks are a smart type, unlike the old dumb ones. These will tell the dealership if the programing has been changed

At my local Dodge dealer a tech was telling me that every diesel that comes in for warranty work is to be plugged in and checked to see it was chipped before any work is performed.

 

[Hunter11]

On my old 05 Dodge I had a performance box, MBRP exhaust anda S&B CAI. Yes it did tow better than stock but at a cost. I had to have the transmission (48RE)replaced under warranty (started to shudder when towing) and it was caused by the extra power (I towed with the box on 30 hp). Once the new transmission was installed I sold the power box and never looked back until I sold it. My current truck is and will remain stock and it does everything I could ask for. I only went with a new truck because we intend to get aheavier unit for full timing. As someone said earlier, these new trucks transmissions are smarter than you think. I tow in OD using Tow/Haul.

 

[RSCRees]

Interesting as the dealership I bought our Dodge from will install a tuner/ Programmer and you will still maintain the warranty. I guess it depends on the dealership.

 

[Gcross1468]

I'm finding it hard to believe but want others input. I have a 2011 Dodge Ram 1500 Outdoorsman with 3:92 rear end gears and a 5.7 Hemi. The Dodge website states the towing capacity is 10,200 lbs. My wife and I just bought a Sunset Trail Reserve SF32RL and the dealer says this is a 1/2 ton towable 5ver. It's weight is 8712 lbs. I understand I'm close to the overall weight limit, giving 10% load addition in the camper and my Wife and I in the truck, but does this sound doable?

 

[Canuckcamper]

Sounds close to me, might not be a lot of fun. What is the loaded tongue weight?
My truck is rated for 9300lbs, loaded trailer is 6800lbs and I personally wouldn't to tow more than that for a long distance.

 

[Longhauler-THOR]

Interesting as the dealership I bought our Dodge from will install a tuner/ Programmer and you will still maintain the warranty. I guess it depends on the dealership.

The dealership I bought from also installed the turner and took off the EPA junk. The owner of the dealership said he would cover any warranty problems. I have known and dealt with this dealership for years and they do stand behind their word.

 

[estoltz]

I'm finding it hard to believe but want others input. I have a 2011 Dodge Ram 1500 Outdoorsman with 3:92 rear end gears and a 5.7 Hemi. The Dodge website states the towing capacity is 10,200 lbs. My wife and I just bought a Sunset Trail Reserve SF32RL and the dealer says this is a 1/2 ton towable 5ver. It's weight is 8712 lbs. I understand I'm close to the overall weight limit, giving 10% load addition in the camper and my Wife and I in the truck, but does this sound doable?

I pulled a Springdale that was 7300 empty. It was probably about 8500 - 9000 when all was said and done. It was a 2011 Ram 1500 5.7 SLT with the 3.92 gears. It would pull it but even with the WD hitch (reese) it sagged a little. It wasn't horrible but it wasn't something I wanted to drive more than 5 hours. Gas mileage was around 5-7 highway. Pulling the same trailer on a 13 2500 I was getting 12.5 highway.It will go and it will stop. It just depends on your situation and planned range.