first time towing with this truck

[jerryt]

I pulled my camper for the first time with this truck. 2004 1500 5.7. My camper dry weight is about 4k so more like 5k loaded. In tow haul mode at 60 mph tach is reading 1700 on level road, but jumps to 2500 on slight up grade. That seems like a big jump for dropping down one gear. I sure do like the power though.
I was pulling with a 93 Ford 302. I was using cruise control to maintain 60 mph.
Jerryt

 

[Jonathan Tremayne]

A 2004 Ram 1500 with a 3:92 rear end will run at 2500 rpm @ 60 mph if you were at 1700 rpm you were in Over Drive. You tranny seems to be able to go in and out OD on it's own.

 

[HemiLonestar]

That's because it likely didn't just drop one gear, if it downshifted from 5th (4th and 5th are overdrives) then it probably dropped to 3rd (that's the 1:1 gear). You'll want to try and minimize the number of times it does that, especially towing. OD clutches are the weakest ones in the case and enough of that will kill them.

 

[chrisp2493]

Don’t forget convertor lockup also, that’s drops a few hundred rpms when you are cruising on flat ground. If you do a normal acceleration you’ll notice an extra rpm drop that’s not another gear. But lone star is correct, 4th and 5th gear are both overdrives with very close ratios. What dodge thinks that’s a good idea instead of an extra underdrive gear is beyond me


I Bleed Ram Trucks

 

[HemiLonestar]

Don’t forget convertor lockup also, that’s drops a few hundred rpms when you are cruising on flat ground. If you do a normal acceleration you’ll notice an extra rpm drop that’s not another gear. But lone star is correct, 4th and 5th gear are both overdrives with very close ratios. What dodge thinks that’s a good idea instead of an extra underdrive gear is beyond me

I Bleed Ram Trucks

Trying to meet fuel economy standards and engine longevity with 3.73 and 3.92 gear ratios lol. Also funny you mention another UD gear, when they developed the 66RFE they took 2P and made it 3rd gear instead of the kickdown:
65RFE

• 1st 3.00:1
• 2nd 1.67:1
• 3rd 1.50:1
• 4th 1.00:1
• 5th 0.75:1
• 6th 0.67:1
• Reverse 3.00:1

 

[Wilnel]

I just towed with mine for the first time the other day. 4.7l tho. I was replacing a 1992 silverado 5.7 that supposedly had 195hp new, I am sure it had far less of that left , lol. the dodge was a dream!

 

[jerryt]

I just wish there was a way to keep it in 3rd gear when towing.