First long tow of 1150 miles

[DDoug]

I tow a Prowler double axle 22' travel trailer. Loaded weight is around 5300 lbs.
Our trip to the Guadalupe National Park was 1150 miles round trip. If I remember ; this park is at 6800' ,with the peak mountain at 8200' .
I have to say I was a little disappointed with the gear selection on the flat ground and mountain climbs. Flat ground at 65 mph was 70% 6th gear with 7th with the wind. Mountain climbing was 4th & 5th gear @ 55 mph. Engine oil temp would go 242 degrees and the mechanical fan would kick in with a roar. The fan did its job to lower temps. Water and trans temps never got over 220. Outside air temp was 75.
I felt the downshift points were too sensitive. Making RPM higher than required. I tried normal trans mode and tow haul. Tow haul seemed to help braking downhill, other than that, I saw no difference.
The big plus with this truck is acceleration loaded. No complaints.
Average gas mileage was 8.5 , not too bad for 50% mountain roads.
Now the question I have, is there an aux. oil cooler kit available ? I don't want to listen to the roaring fan all day when outside air is 100 degrees.

 

[Zeronet]

Yeh, the Guadalupe pass is the steepest section of interstate I have have yet travelled. We towed our travel trailer through there in early March. I got a little concerned as we were climbing, I looked up and saw the switchbacks above us. We just slowed down, took our time and we were fine. I have a completely different rig than you (see my signature) but had the same experience with oil temperatures rising. Transmission and coolant temps are always fine.

I also had the same experience that using tow haul on the interstate had no effect except helping on the downhill.

 

[Johnvan]

We just finished a 1500 mile trip with this setup. Traveled to the Smokey Mountains through some hilly terrain. No complaints. It towed well.

 

[NordicNevs]

I’m glad you all are having good experiences towing. I’m jaded with my truck. I had a 3500 Cummins so everything now feels like I’m in a dance with death which is unrealistic.


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[Zeronet]

I’m glad you all are having good experiences towing. I’m jaded with my truck. I had a 3500 Cummins so everything now feels like I’m in a dance with death which is unrealistic.


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What are you towing?

 

[Willwork4truck]

I’m glad you all are having good experiences towing. I’m jaded with my truck. I had a 3500 Cummins so everything now feels like I’m in a dance with death which is unrealistic.


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Ha thats a great line... at least you are aware that it’s “unrealistic” or “a whole nother’ world” when you step down from a 1 ton diesel to a 1500 gasser. 2 entirely different platforms yet the cost of a new 3500 diesel vs a 1500 gasser, plus the ride comfort, causes many to downsize. That Cummings has been and still is a great tow beast, however not everybody wants to drive such a rig daily.

A neighbor just got an F450 4x4 CC 6.7 dually, and he tows a mid 30’s 5th wheel. It’s a bit overkill honestly but he had $80K to spend I guess... whatever floats your boat. At least theres some assembly line workers still getting a paycheck. I contributed to a few myself with a $58K Ltd...