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RPMs while towing
Old 10-30-2004, 04:57 AM   #1 (permalink)
Radshooter
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Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: In an RV somewhere out West
Posts: 498
RPMs while towing

Just wondering what RPMs y'all run while towing heavy loads. Our fiver is a 38 footer triple axle, and weighs around 17k, and I don't like to tow much over 65 mph. On a flat stretch of road, I am usually in 5th gear running 2500-2600 RPMs. If I shift to 6th, the RPMs drop to 1600-1700 RPM range. In fifth gear, I have no problem topping small hills without loosing speed. In sixth, I am downshifting a lot to keep from lugging the engine, so I decided to just leave it in fifth most of the time. It just seems like the 1600 RPM range is a bit low and lugs the engine a lot. If I push it up to 75 mph, the RPMs come up to around 2200 in sixth, but I don't like to run that fast with the fiver. All my guages say normal when towing, so I haven't been too worried, and I can still accelerate in fifth if I have to.

Is 2600 too close to redline for all day towing?

Thanks for your input...
Steve
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