tow pig trans??

sexxy · Feb 16, 2015

I am looking at getting rid of my 00 gmc k2500 cc 350 4l80 243, old body style. I know to tow in 3rd to keep from burning up the trans. If I do get rid of my current pig I will be in the market for another. I know about towing with most old rigs but have lost touch with the newer stuff. I am looking a Ford, dodge, and gm diesels and only gm gas burners 6.0 or 8.1. Trying to get an idea what to look for and a general gearing idea for 6k-10k trailer weight and the transmission live a long life. Never been around anything with more than 4 gears in an automatic or 5 gears in a manual.

pholmann · Feb 16, 2015

It's hard to go wrong with an older superduty with a 7.3 and a 6 speed manual. Near bulletproof setup. JMO

LightBnDr · Feb 16, 2015

Man you just can't go wrong with a D max and Allison combo. Just get in and drive. Guaranteed

pholmann · Feb 16, 2015

Definitely another good combo

untchabl · Feb 16, 2015

How much $$ you want to spend? That will help determine what you can get.

I myself am on the lookout for a 03-06 Suburban 2500 with the 8.1. I tow with a 97 Suburban 1500 right now.

rpf500 · Feb 16, 2015

Have you burnt a trans up? I have the same truck but with a 7.4L. I have never used 3rd to tow.

sexxy · Feb 16, 2015

rpf500 said:
Have you burnt a trans up? I have the same truck but with a 7.4L. I have never used 3rd to tow.

Thankfully, no burnt up transmissions. I am cautious to keep the trans from up and down shifting a lot especially with a load. May loose the transmission tomorrow but never burnt one up pulling the way I do "yet".

On the 5/6 speed automatics are y'all dropping a gear or pull it to "o.d." and go.

LightBnDr · Feb 16, 2015

Lol shoot no. Shift that 6 spd Allison manually, use engine braking coming to a stop, don't even touch the brakes till you 10mph. Smooth sailin baby

09zkrankin · Feb 16, 2015

Re:

My gmc has the 6 speed auto in it, it can be shifted maually if you need it, but I always just put it in drive and click to tow hual on and roll. Doesn't seem to shift too much or anything

TBItoy · Feb 16, 2015

Re:

I run my 6 speed Alli in 5 when I'm towing the 34' with 2 rigs. But that's just because I'm running a 34" tire with stock gears.

Lil ugly · Feb 16, 2015

I am running a 2011 Dodge with 6.7 and six speed auto all stock. I put it in tow haul mode and just roll with it. Only time I have ever seen the tranny get hot was towing my 12.5K fifth wheel up the driveway into Choccoloco. However my 04.5 dodge with the 4 speed, I had to be a lot more careful with. I could run in OD when on the freeway cruising but in town I had to watch it or it would run the temps up into the 220's quickly. Friend has a 2014 Chevy with 6.6 and Allison and he had no issues towing double up on the same trip. His tranny got hot going up the same hill. I think when it comes to tranny's you can do just fine with Chevy,Dodge or Ford. They all seem to have their issues but if you drive them smart and take care of them you hear of plenty of people getting a ton of miles from their particular brand and talking crap about the others.

Mortalis5509 · Feb 16, 2015

Re:

I have a tuner on mine that changes the shift around on a Ford 6.4.

TheViking · Feb 16, 2015

V10 and a TorqShift. :woot:

sexxy · Feb 16, 2015

Lil ugly said:
I am running a 2011 Dodge with 6.7 and six speed auto all stock. I put it in tow haul mode and just roll with it. Only time I have ever seen the tranny get hot was towing my 12.5K fifth wheel up the driveway into Choccoloco. However my 04.5 dodge with the 4 speed, I had to be a lot more careful with. I could run in OD when on the freeway cruising but in town I had to watch it or it would run the temps up into the 220's quickly. Friend has a 2014 Chevy with 6.6 and Allison and he had no issues towing double up on the same trip. His tranny got hot going up the same hill. I think when it comes to tranny's you can do just fine with Chevy,Dodge or Ford. They all seem to have their issues but if you drive them smart and take care of them you hear of plenty of people getting a ton of miles from their particular brand and talking crap about the others.

That's what I been thinking, keep the heat down and roll. Thanks all.

TacomaJD · Feb 16, 2015

mikeparker said:
I am looking at getting rid of my 00 gmc k2500 cc 350 4l80 243, old body style. I know to tow in 3rd to keep from burning up the trans. If I do get rid of my current pig I will be in the market for another. I know about towing with most old rigs but have lost touch with the newer stuff. I am looking a Ford, dodge, and gm diesels and only gm gas burners 6.0 or 8.1. Trying to get an idea what to look for and a general gearing idea for 6k-10k trailer weight and the transmission live a long life. Never been around anything with more than 4 gears in an automatic or 5 gears in a manual.

Just wanna touch on the towing in 3rd deal. I have a 06 2500HD with 4L80E, not sure how much different my tranny is than yours. I've heard folks say to always tow in 3rd, but have also read on the internet from seemingly reliable sources that towing in 3rd is not very good on it because the torque converter gets too hot. Towing in standard Drive with tow/haul option on is recommended. But I know you mention having the older body style with the 350 and I'm not sure if they even have tow/haul mode, so maybe that's where the towing in 3rd thing came about?

Any input on this? I am curious about it and want to learn more.

untchabl · Feb 16, 2015

My 97 5.7/4L60 doesn't have a Tow/haul mode. I pull with mine in 3rd, at 70mph I'm running 2800rpm with 3.73's.

rpf500 · Feb 16, 2015

My 2000 old body Chevy doesn't have tow haul either. I need to install a trans temp gauge I just keep forgetting about it until I'm towing. I have an efi live tune set for towing and run 2100 rpm at 70 and it rarely downshifts. My engine is screaming at 2800. Anyway....I'm interested in this thread also.

1tfrot · Feb 16, 2015

LightBnDr said:
Man you just can't go wrong with a D max and Allison combo. Just get in and drive. Guaranteed

ftw :****:

sexxy · Feb 16, 2015

Can't speak for everyone but the 350 seems to run out of power in 4th with a 4000lb load on a trailer. Seems like it is lugging the mess out of the engine as soon as it shifts into 4th and the torque converter does not get to lock in either. In 3rd the torque converter will lock up and cruises about 2400rpm at 68mph and has adequate power, if the torque converter unlocks it will jump up to nearly 3000rpm til it locks back up. It's not going anywhere fast but gets the job done. And you are correct it does not have a tow haul button, which I think does make a difference in the shifting points and the reliability.

My spec are 00 gmc k2500 crew cab short bed 5.7 4L80e np243 4.10 gears and 285/75r16 d rated street tread. The speedometer is correct but i think it would have more power with 245s, which I think is what the door jam says.

Sawzall · Feb 17, 2015

Would everyone still like the Allison if it operated in tow haul mode 100% of the time. That is how my 2000 series will operate after the swap into my old dually.