Re: [A/S] Towing

[Jerry Flanders <jflanders2@xxxxxxxx>]

I think you should just make do with what you have, Gary. You are not
driving enough miles, in my opinion, to make any changes justifiable. Just
let it drop into second gear for those few miles per year that the existing
gearing can't handle.

If and when you ever replace the present truck, get one properly rated for
the job. Save your money until then.

I now tow with a 300 HP Dodge 2500HD truck, fully rated to tow my heavy
Airstream, but in earlier times I have towed smaller lighter trailers with
as weak a vehicle as a Ford station wagon with small v-8 and two-speed
Fordamatic transmission. It always got me there and back again, though not
as fast as my current truck.

One thing you should be aware of: modern automatic transmissions "lock up"
at highway speeds when in high gear and under normal load. When you drop
down to second gear you lose this feature and then your transmission will
have much more heat to dissipate. A transmission cooler might be indicated
if you find yourself driving very much in second gear.

If you have overdrive, try locking it out. This will improve your towing
ability somewhat.

Jerry  W4UK, who now pulls maybe 15,000 miles per year.