My old TV was an '00 Dodge RamWagon with the 5.9 gas engine - no tach on the dashboard so I never knew what my rpm's were. I paid attention to the sound of the motor, pressure on the accelerator and just a general "seat of the pants" feel. Even though the manual says to lock out OD when towing, we logged quite a few highway miles in OD; otherwise the engine was just screaming away for no reason at all. Climbing hills and headwinds was another matter.
We got respectable (10+) mpg's when towing and all temps stayed in the normal range. Even though it's no longer our principal TV, at 103,000 miles it's still running great so I figger I must have done o.k.
pnthrsprwl wrote: Brought home our new Keystone Passport 238ml today. I am towing with an 04 Dodge Dakota Quad cab with the 4.7 V8 engine.
I drove home with the overdrive off. 60mph @ 2500 rpm
What do you recommend for an rpm sweet spot / range? Moving from pop up to travel trailer so very new to pulling this kind of weight. Weight distribution and sway bars work great though!
That combo'....is a struggle at the slightest incline.
That combo'....needs 'tow-haul' ON if ya have it!
That combo'....in 'tow-haul' will seek/hold 3rd gear at the slightest incline!
That combo'....if driven in a style WITHOUT 'tow-haul' engaged and trying to keep it in top gear....will overheat ya tranny fast!
In conclusion....ya 4.7L TV is at its limits!
* This post was
edited 05/06/12 05:48am by eye8Ubutler *
Chevrolet Silverado 1500 LTZ 2007 (new shape)
4x4 Crew Cab VORTEC MAX (L76) 6.0L V8 4L70E 4.10 axle
factory NHT Max Trailering Package.
2010 Coachmen Freedom Express 280 RLS
"...a Waldorf Salad?, sorry we are fresh out of Waldorfs!".......BASIL FAWLTY.
Maximum engine speed is 6,000 rpm and top horsepower is 230 at 4,600 rpm. Max torque output is 290 foot-lbs. at 3,600 rpm.
Here is the numbers from motor trend:
Power: 157 kW , 210 HP SAE @ 5,200 rpm; 235 ft lb , 319 Nm @ 4,000 rpm
Out of overdrive @ 60mph it pulls great 2500rpm. I am just trying to learn what is the safe RPM range for pulling 60-65mph. Thank you all for the assistance.
pnthrsprwl wrote: First of all thank you for the replies.
Here is some information I found on my engine:
Maximum engine speed is 6,000 rpm and top horsepower is 230 at 4,600 rpm. Max torque output is 290 foot-lbs. at 3,600 rpm.
Here is the numbers from motor trend:
Power: 157 kW , 210 HP SAE @ 5,200 rpm; 235 ft lb , 319 Nm @ 4,000 rpm
Out of overdrive @ 60mph it pulls great 2500rpm. I am just trying to learn what is the safe RPM range for pulling 60-65mph. Thank you all for the assistance.
A safe RPM is 0 to 6000 RPM. This engine is computer controlled so you can't over rev it. If you want to go faster, push harder on your right foot. If it hunts for a gear drop it one gear.
Bottom line it about the only thing you control is how fast or slow you want to go. Everything else is computer controlled.
~ Too many freaks & not enough circuses ~
"Life is not tried ~ it is merely survived ~ if you're standing
outside the fire"
Sounds like 60 works for your rig
My F150 likes 65@1800 in OD and 2500 in direct,2006 w/4 speed,3.73,LT275-65-18
I shift into direct when trans starts hunting.
2006 F150 4wd 7200gvw,Lt275-65-18,Scan Guage,Garmin,flowmaster,load levelers,Firestone work rites, sat radio 50s on 5 or outlaw country
2013 Bronco 800
1200/1500 champion
Mostly Boondock
A safe RPM is 0 to 6000 RPM. This engine is computer controlled so you can't over rev it. If you want to go faster, push harder on your right foot. If it hunts for a gear drop it one gear.
Bottom line it about the only thing you control is how fast or slow you want to go. Everything else is computer controlled.
What he said! You wanna go faster push the load pedal harder. There is no "sweet spot". Rule of thumb is run the highest gear / lowest rpm that your truck is capable of running without lugging or gear hunting. That will generally get you the best mileage and the least amount of wear and tear. Some folks say that you should not run overdrive, but that is not broadly not true, and is vehicle specific. That idea stems from the first generation of overdrive / lockup transmissions that were engineered poorly.
I have a 2003 Dodge Ram 1500 with the same engine but mine is a five speed. I tow in fourth and 60 mph is 2500 rpm too. I also have 3.92 gears. I don't go above 60 much and if I need more power I drop to third and I've taken the revs up to 4000. I don't like to stay there very long but it pulls well at that rpm.
Bob & Susan
Jessica & Melissa (sometimes)
Shelby the Beagle
2003 Dodge Ram 1500
2011 Gulf Stream Ameri-Lite 23BW
I turn off overdrive and whirl around 2500 rpm all the time while towing. When the truck needs to drop a gear on a hill the rpm jumps up to 3300 which is the peak power spot too.
I think you're doing fine. My old 5.2L Jeep was the same way. Rev it up.
2500rpm is probably a great speed for relatively flat highway cruising. You'll probably find it will downshift 1 or 2 gears and hit 4500rpm on some hills, but I'd stick to your 2500rpm. My previous TV was happier closer to 3000rpm in 3rd gear than 2400rpm, but 72mph was too fast for most summer towing.
A & A parents of DD 2005, DS1 2007, DS2 2009 2011 Suburban 2500 6.0L 3.73 pulling 2011 Heartland North Trail 28BRS 2012 VW Passat TDI
Offline
Online
