towing performance - TDR Roundtable

towing performance

04-21-2002, 03:04 AM

#1 (permalink)

SRehberg

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Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Stockton, CA Posts: 767

towing performance

I just returned from our first time out with a 27ft. 5th wheel, and was really surprised to the amount of drag it put on hill climbing ability. I have a '96 CTD with the stock auto, no performance mods to the engine, and hitting the hills the thing acts like it has a anchor tied to its tail. The 5er weights around 5800lbs dry, and we had it really light, as it was just a trial overnight run. One hill I was in 1st gear, as it was losing speed in second! The hill was steeper than normal; a back roads two lane hill. A 6% grade and it's time to start downshifting; i.e. 3rd without lockup even. I can imagine the heat I'm making. The torque converter is pretty loose (stock) but locks up etc. Is this pretty normal for a truck that is rated to pull 10,400lbs?

Thanks for any input.

___________________________

'96 2wd auto, bone stock, pulling a 27ft. Alpenlite

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