Towing question

yeeolde48 · 01-03-2006, 09:21 PM

I just bought a 1997 C3500 Crew cab dually, 454 Auto, 8 foot bed. I tow a 10,000lb race trailer. With my old G20 Van (350, TH400) I had to tow in 3rd, the trans would overheat if I tried to pull in D. I have no experience with the larger trucks, can anyone advise me on the correct trans management, do I stay out of overdrive when towing or is the bigger trans capable of towing in D. Appreciate any experience, or advise. Dave

Beaver3000 · 01-03-2006, 10:09 PM

Well I always tow in 3rd, I have a 1997 c1500. The manuel says I can tow in overdrive, but as a precaution, I tow in 3rd, especially if it is a heavy load. I a going to say tow with 3rd. That is my opinion. By the way, welcome to the forum!

390FE · 01-04-2006, 07:35 AM

Welcome.

I also say stay out of OD when towing a heavy load. chevy guy will tell you you need to keep the pressure in the tranny up or somthing like that. Listen to him. He knows his stuff, most of the time

yeeolde48 · 01-04-2006, 10:22 AM

Thanks for the quick posts guys. I have always stayed out of OD in the smaller vehicles, and will do the same in the dually.

mrjohnwayne · 01-04-2006, 12:21 PM

you can tow in OD if you are running on level ground or a slight up or down grade. Anything bigger keep it in third or you can overheat the tranny pretty quickly. If you notice it jumping in and out of lockup in OD just keep it in Third. Just my opinion. Never game me any problems.

chevyguy · 01-05-2006, 09:14 AM

Stay in the lower gears when towing. Consider adding a bigger aftermarket trans cooler for towing a really heavy trailer.

gmtech · 01-06-2006, 06:27 PM

I agree with chevyguy again keep it in drive the reason is that there are not as many frictions and steels (clutches if you will) in overdrive gear as in the lower gears its not meant to take the stress.

vanhal · 01-06-2006, 07:23 PM

i agree i tow a 25 ft. trailer all the way from canada to florida and 3rd. and i cruise at about 105 to 110 k and my 5.7 turns at about 3000 just nice and good power ... will be doing it again by the end of feb. .......pete

chevyguy · 01-06-2006, 10:58 PM

Wow 105 to 110 k. Seems fast. Strange enough though. i drove a friends truck a short time back and it was a canadian truck, i didnt look at the speedo until i saw a cop and when i looked down i almost freaked out. Looked like about 90 miles per hour until i noticed the KM on the outer ring of the speedo.

Itstali25 · 01-07-2006, 03:44 PM

lol atta boy

01-03-2006, 09:21 PM	#1
yeeolde48 Junior Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Cincinnati, Ohio Posts: 4	Towing question I just bought a 1997 C3500 Crew cab dually, 454 Auto, 8 foot bed. I tow a 10,000lb race trailer. With my old G20 Van (350, TH400) I had to tow in 3rd, the trans would overheat if I tried to pull in D. I have no experience with the larger trucks, can anyone advise me on the correct trans management, do I stay out of overdrive when towing or is the bigger trans capable of towing in D. Appreciate any experience, or advise. Dave

01-04-2006, 12:21 PM	#5
mrjohnwayne Moderator Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Texas Posts: 3,114	you can tow in OD if you are running on level ground or a slight up or down grade. Anything bigger keep it in third or you can overheat the tranny pretty quickly. If you notice it jumping in and out of lockup in OD just keep it in Third. Just my opinion. Never game me any problems. __________________ John Wayne 2000 F-350 7.3L Powerstroke 4x4

01-05-2006, 09:14 AM	#6
chevyguy Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: ALABAMA Posts: 3,160	Stay in the lower gears when towing. Consider adding a bigger aftermarket trans cooler for towing a really heavy trailer. __________________ When i die, i dont want to walk gracefully thu the pearly gates and turn in a unused body. i want to go sliding thru sideways and turn in a body that has been completely used up.

01-06-2006, 07:23 PM	#8
vanhal Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: ontario, canada Posts: 102	towing in drive i agree i tow a 25 ft. trailer all the way from canada to florida and 3rd. and i cruise at about 105 to 110 k and my 5.7 turns at about 3000 just nice and good power ... will be doing it again by the end of feb. .......pete __________________ I am gm all the way ....... black 98 Z71 3 door short box 5.7

01-06-2006, 10:58 PM	#9
chevyguy Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: ALABAMA Posts: 3,160	Wow 105 to 110 k. Seems fast. Strange enough though. i drove a friends truck a short time back and it was a canadian truck, i didnt look at the speedo until i saw a cop and when i looked down i almost freaked out. Looked like about 90 miles per hour until i noticed the KM on the outer ring of the speedo. __________________ When i die, i dont want to walk gracefully thu the pearly gates and turn in a unused body. i want to go sliding thru sideways and turn in a body that has been completely used up.

01-03-2006, 10:09 PM	#2
Beaver3000 Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Yuba City, California Posts: 393	Well I always tow in 3rd, I have a 1997 c1500. The manuel says I can tow in overdrive, but as a precaution, I tow in 3rd, especially if it is a heavy load. I a going to say tow with 3rd. That is my opinion. By the way, welcome to the forum!

01-04-2006, 07:35 AM	#3
390FE Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: S. NH Posts: 336	Welcome. I also say stay out of OD when towing a heavy load. chevy guy will tell you you need to keep the pressure in the tranny up or somthing like that. Listen to him. He knows his stuff, most of the time

01-04-2006, 10:22 AM	#4
yeeolde48 Junior Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Cincinnati, Ohio Posts: 4	Thanks for the quick posts guys. I have always stayed out of OD in the smaller vehicles, and will do the same in the dually.

01-06-2006, 06:27 PM	#7
gmtech Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: farmville Va Posts: 343	I agree with chevyguy again keep it in drive the reason is that there are not as many frictions and steels (clutches if you will) in overdrive gear as in the lower gears its not meant to take the stress.

01-07-2006, 03:44 PM	#10
Itstali25 Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Southern Missouri Posts: 708	lol atta boy __________________ http://www.cardomain.com/ride/644045 Trucks are just cars when they grow up!!! If your gunna get a truck....Get a TRUCK!!

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