Hello - I hang out in the TC forum but need some input. We are contemplating a switch from our small TC to a Jayco 199. My TV is a 2008 Silverado 1500 extended cab with a standard bed. I have the 5.3 lite iron block w/ four speed auto trans and 3:73 rear axle w/ limited slip. I have the heavy duty suspension (Z85 option) and the heavy duty trailering package (Z82 option) including 145 amp alternator, heavy duty auxilliary trans. cooler, 6800 GVW rated w/ 7700 towing capacity. 'D' range tires since I have a TC.
Okay - before the questions I test towed a 199 this week. I towed it on I-35 between San Antonio for about 2/3 of the way to Austin and back. It was approximately 100 degress outside at the time and the wind was blowing out of the souteast probably 15 to 20 and gusty. I used the tow/haul mode. Trailer weight was probably around 3800 pounds as it was empty. Here are my questions/concerns:
The road has some hilly spots in it but for the most part is rolling. The wind varies from off the front corner to broadside to off the rear corner. I stuggled to keep it from constantly slipping out of O/D to 4th and sometimes down to 3rd. This frustrated me as my TC seldom causes that problem unless I'm in a strong wind headon and have the boat on the back. I did not drop down to 3rd gear manually. Maybe I should have to keep it from hunting a gear. In addition the transmission temperature (I have a separate readout on the information panel) was up around 205 at it's peak.
Should have my truck performed better than this? Is this what I would have to contend with on a trip? Is driving this much weight in 3rd gear at say around 55 to 60 what most people do with hilly and windy weather? It is frequently windy in south Texas and we do have hills (certainly only rolling hills - not mountains for sure). Is 205 in 100 degree heat okay? Any input you can provide to help me along with a decision and expectations would be very much appreciated. Sorry for the length and detail.
similiar TV - i run in 3rd in tow mode 4th gear isn't an option my TT weighs about 6k, take that for what its worth not the same setup but to get the torque to pull a trailer with that gearing and that motor (same as mine) i gata run in 3rd.
TT: 08 Monterey 27 PT by Extreme RV
TV: 06 Sierra K1500 SLE Crew - 3.73:1 4x4 w/5.3L
Hitched with a Husky WD & SC.
Powered by Champion 3500
Consult your owners manual to see if it is ok to tow in OD. If so, then take it out of OD when you encounter conditions like you were towin in. I'm here to tell you, that wind is a KILLER! When your truck keeps hunting for a gear, drop it to 3rd and forget about it...
I think you have plenty of truck. That is a lot of wind. If you get it behind you, you'll be in OD doing 70 all day long...
I think your trans temps were ok...
2001 Excursion 3.73 geared V-10
2006 Coachmen Spirit of America 24TBQ
If it is constantly slipping out of O/D to 4th and sometimes down to 3rd, I would suggest, IMHO, turning the O/D off when in the hills with wind, unless the wind is from behind.
DesertHawk - Las Cruces, NM USA
2005 16' Scamp Molded Fiberglass Travel Trailer
Side Dinette, Front Shower & Head
2009 White Ford F-150 Reg. Cab
Long Bed with A.R.E. Molded Fiberglass Topper Wheresoever you go, go with all your heart. -Confucius
Dave n Alice wrote: Hello - I hang out in the TC forum but need some input. We are contemplating a switch from our small TC to a Jayco 199. My TV is a 2008 Silverado 1500 extended cab with a standard bed. I have the 5.3 lite iron block w/ four speed auto trans and 3:73 rear axle w/ limited slip. I have the heavy duty suspension (Z85 option) and the heavy duty trailering package (Z82 option) including 145 amp alternator, heavy duty auxilliary trans. cooler, 6800 GVW rated w/ 7700 towing capacity. 'D' range tires since I have a TC.
Okay - before the questions I test towed a 199 this week. I towed it on I-35 between San Antonio for about 2/3 of the way to Austin and back. It was approximately 100 degress outside at the time and the wind was blowing out of the souteast probably 15 to 20 and gusty. I used the tow/haul mode. Trailer weight was probably around 3800 pounds as it was empty. Here are my questions/concerns:
The road has some hilly spots in it but for the most part is rolling. The wind varies from off the front corner to broadside to off the rear corner. I stuggled to keep it from constantly slipping out of O/D to 4th and sometimes down to 3rd. This frustrated me as my TC seldom causes that problem unless I'm in a strong wind headon and have the boat on the back. I did not drop down to 3rd gear manually. Maybe I should have to keep it from hunting a gear. In addition the transmission temperature (I have a separate readout on the information panel) was up around 205 at it's peak.
Should have my truck performed better than this? Is this what I would have to contend with on a trip? Is driving this much weight in 3rd gear at say around 55 to 60 what most people do with hilly and windy weather? It is frequently windy in south Texas and we do have hills (certainly only rolling hills - not mountains for sure). Is 205 in 100 degree heat okay? Any input you can provide to help me along with a decision and expectations would be very much appreciated. Sorry for the length and detail.
The short answer is that you seem to be unhappy with the performance you saw so it's time to downsize either the TT or upgrade the TV to make you happy.
IMHO a properly mated TV/TT should be able to tow rolling interstate roads in OD with the cruise on and not have to do anything to maintain say a speed of around 60 to 65. If your combo can't do that you might be O.K again IMHO of having to like drop out of OD only in exception windy conditions or just on 5 or 6 times over several hundred miles.
I admit this somewhat optimistic, but why should one on vacation trying to enjoy a trip have to be worrying about what gear they are in or doing something other than just hooking up and going and having a relaxing drive.
IMHO those that are towing in anything less than direct drive or can't use cruise even on very mild rolling roads in OD don't have a proper match.
I agree to check your owners manual and see what they recommend for your transmission setting when towing. And wind is the biggest single factor, I think, in making towing difficult (or easy, when it's behind you) and in determining your gas mileage when towing. The winds you describe would easily have made a lot of folks gear down.
Incidentally, we have a pretty beefy half-ton and still don't tow in OD. The truck just performs a lot better that way.
First part of your post you stated it was a 4-spd, later you reported shifting out of o/d (4th) into 4th and sometimes 3rd.
I believe you have 4-spd (4th being o/d) and should be in 3rd (direct) if trans is hunting (or lower if necessary).
When I towed with 02 5.3, 3.73, 5,000-lb 5vr, I towed almost exclusively in direct (3rd) unless going downhill or with a tailwind.
I once left home with trailer in tow, in o/d on flat highway, but it dropped into 3rd at every overpass/underpass (whichever). When stopped for gas, noticed trans in o/d.
Sounds to me as though your truck was struggling a bit more than I would expect with that small of a trailer unless there's more to your set up that I didn't catch from your post. Good luck / skip
2004 F-250 SCREW Long Bed (new)
OR 2004 F-150 HD (85,000 towing miles) Rockwood 8314SS 34' travel trailer
We have enough YOUTH...how about a fountain of SMART
With that setup I would never tow in OD. In OD the torque converter cluth will be unlocked more than it is locked. While it is unlocked it as generating a lot of heat and that is why the temp is so high.
Letting an automatic hunt is not a good thing. I would downshift and leave it in the lower gear until I was heading downhill. As already mentioned the hunting will cause extra heat in the transmission.
If you don't like downshifting until you hit a 6% grade or more, you need a diesel. On a 6% grade I end up in 5th gear on the rig in signature. Burned up to many automatics towing over the years to even consider one for towing.
2003 Jayco 308fbs eagle 33' tt, towed by a 2003 Ram 3500 slt, quad cab dually, cummins diesel ho, trailer towing package, with 6 speed manual. Hauls better 1/2, 3 kids, myself, and a 2003 ez go clays car.. I have added so far, neon lights, clearance lights, back up lights, black light, lift kit, mud tires, and everything necessary to make the golf cart street legal. It's now ready to spend the winter in the garage for more mods. More neon, strobe lights, alarm, a pa system, maintance, and whatever else that comes along. This golf cart does wheelies and travels thru 7 inches of mud when need be. Two honda eu2000i gens twinned to supply the electrical power. Latest addition an 04 Honda Goldwing. [url]http://www.hometown.aol.com/rvnagain/myhomepage/profile.html[url]
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