Safe Towing RPM Range And With OD Or No??
#1
Safe Towing RPM Range And With OD Or No??
Hi all, happy Friday. Looking at getting a 5th wheel toy hauler (12.5K GVWR) and wondering what extended RPM range is good for the ol' Cummins.
Can I tow in OD on flats only? At 65mph, in OD, my RPMs are about 17-1800. Is that a good RPM if I tow in OD? At 55mph with OD off, I'm about 2200 but I don't really want to crawl on the open highway.
Also, what speeds do you guys tow at on the open road?
Thanks very much, Mike.
Can I tow in OD on flats only? At 65mph, in OD, my RPMs are about 17-1800. Is that a good RPM if I tow in OD? At 55mph with OD off, I'm about 2200 but I don't really want to crawl on the open highway.
Also, what speeds do you guys tow at on the open road?
Thanks very much, Mike.
#2
I don't tow anything over 5k in OD, just because I don't want 5th gear to fall off. You could safely tow in OD on the flats, just watch your EGT's, and don't jerk it around. I seem to get the best economy/speed mix at about 1900-2100RPM's, but it depends on what I'm towing. I don't pull a travel trailer, just equipment, so I can't really relate to what your pulling. More than anything, watch that pyro gauge!
#3
Just throw it in OD and GLH, you should be fine. When you are in a slower speed zone or drivin through a town or climbing a hill, then kick the OD out (if needed) until you get back to the open road. As stated watch your EGT's. If you don't have a pryo, then get one. With just your VA box, you should be fine though.
I don't recommend it, but I've towed a 36' tri-axle 5'er with 3 slide outs in it at about 85mph before while goin up and down the hills. (proffesional driver/closed course )
I don't recommend it, but I've towed a 36' tri-axle 5'er with 3 slide outs in it at about 85mph before while goin up and down the hills. (proffesional driver/closed course )
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Well, I did it. Coming over the Grapevine on I5 was scary painful (35mph). But once I learned to keep the boost up, it did pretty good. As soon as the outside temperature dropped from 103 to under 80 I got some power back. Once I learned to keep the boost up and temps were in the 70s, I could tow in OD as long as I kept the boost up. So needless to say, I'll be shopping for RV275s and finally installing that 4" exhaust that has been sitting in a box in my garage. Hopefully that will help.
Thanks guys, Mike.
Thanks guys, Mike.