Towing without overdrive

[cpaharley2008]

Just returned from a marathon drive to attend a rally in Nebraska this week and wanted to make some observations. I drove 2800 miles over a period of 8 nights, left on a Sunday night and arrived in Nebraska, Tuesday at noon, left there on Saturday, noon and arrived home tonite at 9 pm. Took the northern way out and the southern way back thru 8 states.
I drove a Dodge Ram 1500 with the Hemi engine towing the 19' Escape with the Andersen hitch. The hitch performed flawlessly, particularly in the plain states with 20-30 mph winds. My trailer weighs around 3400 lbs loaded.
I drove with the trans mission in normal drive on the way out and checked my mileage at every fillip. I was getting between 10.5-11.5 mpg consistently with the engine cruising around 2400rpm under load and 1800rpm cruising. I used mid range and E-90 gas mid range. There were strong headwinds going out and returning.
My return trip I engaged my "Tow Mode" which locks out the overdrive and changes the shift points. Surprising I averaged 11.5-13.5 mpg on the return trip. Other than Missouri in lieu of Iowa, I went thru the same states. I noticed the rpm stayed at 2200 under load and would occasionally drop back to 1800 while cruising.I also noticed it did not shift into the higher rpm range as often as the trip going.
This 200 rpm difference gave me a 20% increase in my mileage, which in my case was about $100 savings.
I wonder if anyone else has done a comparison of the two towing modes, with or without the overdrive. My owner's manual says that you should use the tow mode while towing.

[Gene Masse]

I haven't had personal experience but a friend of mine towing a 17' Casita just returned from a long trip and said he got better mileage driving in tow mode also. It's also easier on the transmission. I usually use a combo of the two. If in flat country I use drive mode. It really lowers the RPM. If you are in hilly terrain and use drive mode, all that extra shifting is hard on the mechanics.

[steve dunham]

I have a 2011 Dodge Ram 1500 with the 5.7 Ltr Hemi engine , On our trip to and from Scamp Camp last February I got about 1.1 more MPG towing in tow mode than in overdrive and the transmission seemed to shift less frequently .

[cpaharley2008]

Initially I thought that the tow mode was for those big trailers that the Ram could tow, I think up to 10,000 lbs. and with my 3500# unit I did not think it would make much difference.
Now I'm thinking it will.

[Dave_L]

Head wind vs tail wind will account for a large part of that

[steve dunham]

Jim ; Have you looked at the 2014 Ram 1500 with the ECO 3.0 Ltr turbo charged diesel engine and an 8 speed automatic transmission. 240 HP- 420 lbs of torque- 30 MPG highway If it lives up to the hype in may be the way to go . They have not published the tow ratings but 420 lbs of torque should be able to get any fiberglass trailer up and moving. I would think the mileage while towing would be in the low 20's

[Carol H]

Jim, you may need to the test a few more times to get a better idea as to whether or not the mpg savings in tow mode is consistent/valid. As Dave mentioned the wind can play big time into MPG's, even a light one you dont even notice. I did a similar length trip last year and the MPG going was 8 mpg's lower than the return trip.... all due to wind factor which wasnt even noticeable unless on got out of the car.

[frank_a]

I have a 2009 4 cyl 4wd Canyon with standard shift I bought new. I tow our classic boat and small Sunline trailer with it, but it only has a 2100# capacity. The truck came with 2 options - trailer package (7 pin connector, higher numerical rear, other tow package stuff) and a locking rear differential. When I'm in regular non-towing mode, I get about 22 mpg on the highway in 5th gear, which is OD on my standard. When towing, I only tow in 4th gear, and keep it on cruise on 4 lane highways so it's pretty much always at a constant rpm. Got 73,000 miles on it now and other than replacing the cruise control a month ago, have not had any problems of any kind with it.

With an automatic they say it has a 3100# capacity. I figure the difference in capacities is mostly that GM figures people don't know how to drive a standard, and that they would be up and down shifting all the time. Whatever. Not me.

Next year we're looking at buying a Traverse with 5200# capacity before we buy an egg.

Frank

[Carol H]

Originally Posted by frank_a

With an automatic they say it has a 3100# capacity. I figure the difference in capacities is mostly that GM figures people don't know how to drive a standard, and that they would be up and down shifting all the time. Whatever. Not me.

Frank

Could it be that the automatic has an tranny cooler that the manual doesnt?

[frank_a]

No clue, other than I've never had any problems with it, temp never goes up, even when towing a distance in the summer heat, which we often do. Next TV will have a much higher rating!

Frank

[David Tilston]

Originally Posted by Carol H

Could it be that the automatic has an tranny cooler that the manual doesnt?

It is my understanding, (I'm no expert) that manual transmissions do not generate heat like automatics, so should not require a cooler.

[Thomas G.]

Originally Posted by David Tilston

It is my understanding, (I'm no expert) that manual transmissions do not generate heat like automatics, so should not require a cooler.

Most of the heat generated in an automatic transmission is in the torque converter. Manual transmissions use a clutch, which doesn't generate heat under steady driving, instead of a torque converter.

[frank_a]

Well Tom, just like I said, I don't think GM believes people in general know how to drive a standard, and are going to be up and down shifting all the time. Ergo, lighter tow capacity. Not me, steady as she goes. I been driving sticks most all my life, but that is about to change (I think)...

Maybe an egg too next year. You guys got me excited already!

Frank

[Thomas G.]

Originally Posted by frank_a

Well Tom, just like I said, I don't think GM believes people in general know how to drive a standard, and are going to be up and down shifting all the time. Ergo, lighter tow capacity. Not me, steady as she goes. I been driving sticks most all my life, but that is about to change (I think)...

Maybe an egg too next year. You guys got me excited already!

Frank

I think that you are right.

[Carol H]

Originally Posted by Thomas G.

Most of the heat generated in an automatic transmission is in the torque converter. Manual transmissions use a clutch, which doesn't generate heat under steady driving, instead of a torque converter.

Hummm if the above is correct how come we see people time and time again telling people they need to get a transmission cooler installed and why do most manufactures include a transmission cooler in the truck towing packages?

[cpaharley2008]

Originally Posted by steve dunham

Jim ; Have you looked at the 2014 Ram 1500 with the ECO 3.0 Ltr turbo charged diesel engine and an 8 speed automatic transmission. 240 HP- 420 lbs of torque- 30 MPG highway If it lives up to the hype in may be the way to go . They have not published the tow ratings but 420 lbs of torque should be able to get any fiberglass trailer up and moving. I would think the mileage while towing would be in the low 20's

Not yet, seems inviting. Mine is 2009 and came with a lifetime power train warranty, hard to pass on.

[cpaharley2008]

Originally Posted by Carol H

Hummm if the above is correct how come we see people time and time again telling people they need to get a transmission cooler installed and why do most manufactures include a transmission cooler in the truck towing packages?

Because automatics make up about 80% of vehicles produced.

[Carol H]

Originally Posted by cpaharley2008

Because automatics make up about 80% of vehicles produced.

Thats true currently but again we still have people here telling people over and over to get a trans cooler and many of the manufactures include them in their towing packages -even on manual shifts.

So my question again is why is that?

[cpaharley2008]

Economics, easier to include a $35 part than to add later. As far as the advice given here by others re: coolers on standard shift,, we all know if it is on the internet it must be true

[frank_a]

I believe automatics with tow packages get the extra cooler - I think for standards the extra cooler is deleted. With a standard the clutch is either in or out (unless you're a bad driver and ride it), but with an automatic, there are a number of clutches and friction making devices to do all the automatic shifting. The automatic makes lots of heat through continual friction-induced (slipping) clutches. I've owned standards all my life, and towed some heavy stuff. Once I replaced a clutch/pressure plate because the previous owner rode it all the time, but only once in going on 45 years. I've had automatic transmissions crap out on me twice for no good reason (cars, not tow vehicles)!

For towing, you definitely want a tranny cooler if ya got an auto tranny.

Frank