Overdrive switching in and out while towing.
From : Annonymous
Q: i have and 02 dakota 4.3l v8 with factory towing package and the upgraded rear axle gear ratio. when i use it to tow my small teardrop trailer less than 2000 lbs i have a problem with the overdrive constantly switching in and out. this happens even on flat straight-aways with the cruise control on but only when i am doing over 67 mph if i am driving 65 and under it does not switch out. i feel as if this engine should have no problem towing this trailer at 70 while in overdrive. i can easily push this trailer around with 1 hand in my backyard and it it very aerodynamic in shape. http//www.tab-rv.com/ my question is there some sort of adjustment that can be made to whatever tells the tranny to switch out of overdrive or should i just eat the extra gas cost turn off the overdrive and drive in 3rd gear at 3000 rpms vs 2000 or so in overdrive. .
Replies:
From : christopher thompson
im betting if you read your owners manual it will tell you not to tow in overdrive. check your owners manual for all special concerns when towing with your specific vehicle. -- -chris 05 ctd 99 durango i have and 02 dakota 4.3l v8 with factory towing package and the upgraded rear axle gear ratio. when i use it to tow my small teardrop trailer less than 2000 lbs i have a problem with the overdrive constantly switching in and out. this happens even on flat straight-aways with the cruise control on but only when i am doing over 67 mph if i am driving 65 and under it does not switch out. i feel as if this engine should have no problem towing this trailer at 70 while in overdrive. i can easily push this trailer around with 1 hand in my backyard and it it very aerodynamic in shape. http//www.tab-rv.com/ my question is there some sort of adjustment that can be made to whatever tells the tranny to switch out of overdrive or should i just eat the extra gas cost turn off the overdrive and drive in 3rd gear at 3000 rpms vs 2000 or so in overdrive. .
From : don dunlap
im betting if you read your owners manual it will tell you not to tow in overdrive. check your owners manual for all special concerns when towing with your specific vehicle. -- -chris 05 ctd 99 durango i have and 02 dakota 4.3l v8 with factory towing package and the upgraded rear axle gear ratio. when i use it to tow my small teardrop trailer less than 2000 lbs i have a problem with the overdrive constantly switching in and out. this happens even on flat straight-aways with the cruise control on but only when i am doing over 67 mph if i am driving 65 and under it does not switch out. i feel as if this engine should have no problem towing this trailer at 70 while in overdrive. i can easily push this trailer around with 1 hand in my backyard and it it very aerodynamic in shape. http//www.tab-rv.com/ my question is there some sort of adjustment that can be made to whatever tells the tranny to switch out of overdrive or should i just eat the extra gas cost turn off the overdrive and drive in 3rd gear at 3000 rpms vs 2000 or so in overdrive. i had a 93 dakota with the same engine and towing package and the owners manual specifically stated not to tow in overdrive. don .
From : jph
don dunlap wrote im betting if you read your owners manual it will tell you not to tow in overdrive. check your owners manual for all special concerns when towing with your specific vehicle. -- -chris 05 ctd 99 durango i have and 02 dakota 4.3l v8 with factory towing package and the upgraded rear axle gear ratio. when i use it to tow my small teardrop trailer less than 2000 lbs i have a problem with the overdrive constantly switching in and out. this happens even on flat straight-aways with the cruise control on but only when i am doing over 67 mph if i am driving 65 and under it does not switch out. i feel as if this engine should have no problem towing this trailer at 70 while in overdrive. i can easily push this trailer around with 1 hand in my backyard and it it very aerodynamic in shape. http//www.tab-rv.com/ my question is there some sort of adjustment that can be made to whatever tells the tranny to switch out of overdrive or should i just eat the extra gas cost turn off the overdrive and drive in 3rd gear at 3000 rpms vs 2000 or so in overdrive. i had a 93 dakota with the same engine and towing package and the owners manual specifically stated not to tow in overdrive. don i have a 94 dakota with 4.7 and the manual says its ok to tow in overdrive unless driving in hilly areas where the transmission shifts a lot. i pull a 1780 gvwr pop-up frequently and dont have any problems with towing in overdrive on the interstate at 70. i pulled a 4700 load cross country and only felt a need to shift out of overdrive when entering the hilly areas in tn and va. of course both of those trailers probably had less frontal area than your teardrop. i would think the t@b would be just as easy to tow as the pop-up though since teardrops are supposed to be more aerodynamic. i have the standard rear axle so it would seem that mine should have more trouble than yours with staying in overdrive. i believe your t@b has surge brakes could it be actually coming forward enough to activate the surge brakes and cause extra drag at the higher speeds kind of like race cars when they draft the car in front i used to tow a camper in england that had surge brakes that you could lock out so if you can do that you might try that to see if it changes anything. doesnt seem possible but aerodynamics can be strange sometimes. is the trailer level are the tire pressures of the tow vehicle and trailer set to the correct specs are you driving into strong headwinds any of these items could cause enough drag to tell the engine that theres additional load other than just the trailer weight. jph .
From : snoman
on 6 mar 2006 105510 -0800 fracassa@gmail.com wrote i have and 02 dakota 4.3l v8 with factory towing package and the upgraded rear axle gear ratio. when i use it to tow my small teardrop trailer less than 2000 lbs i have a problem with the overdrive constantly switching in and out. this happens even on flat straight-aways with the cruise control on but only when i am doing over 67 mph if i am driving 65 and under it does not switch out. i feel as if this engine should have no problem towing this trailer at 70 while in overdrive. i can easily push this trailer around with 1 hand in my backyard and it it very aerodynamic in shape. http//www.tab-rv.com/ my question is there some sort of adjustment that can be made to whatever tells the tranny to switch out of overdrive or should i just eat the extra gas cost turn off the overdrive and drive in 3rd gear at 3000 rpms vs 2000 or so in overdrive. it depends a lot on the load and the rear axle ratio. if it has a pretty tall axle it will hunt a lot like yours is. lock out od while towing and performance and mpg while towing will improve and it will extend tranny life too. btw dodge never had a 4.3 v8 it is a 4.7. .
From : Annonymous
hmmm after reading your post i did some looking into your theory. since the camper is teardrop in shape it may be possible that it is acting as an aerofoil at higher speeds and actually giving lift or movement in any number of directions possibly engaging the surge brakes. but i would expect that the hubs on the trailer would be getting hot if this was the case. i had checked they are not. i will try locking them out - thanks for the suggestion. if that doesnt work i will probably stop using the overdrive. correction mine is also a 4.7l .
From : mac davis
on 7 mar 2006 060924 -0800 fracassa@gmail.com wrote hmmm after reading your post i did some looking into your theory. since the camper is teardrop in shape it may be possible that it is acting as an aerofoil at higher speeds and actually giving lift or movement in any number of directions possibly engaging the surge brakes. but i would expect that the hubs on the trailer would be getting hot if this was the case. i had checked they are not. i will try locking them out - thanks for the suggestion. if that doesnt work i will probably stop using the overdrive. correction mine is also a 4.7l just a guess but your gear change assuming 3.93 or 410 would have you turning higher rpm at freeway speed.. doesnt seem like that would make a transmission hunt but logic doesnt always apply.. *g* mac https//home.comcast.net/mac.davis https//home.comcast.net/mac.davis/woodstuff.htm .
From : jph
..bob wrote jph wrote i have a 94 dakota with 4.7 really oops meant 2004. at least it ends in a 4! jph .
From : marsh monster
===== ===== fracassa@gmail.com wrote i have and 02 dakota 4.3l v8 with factory towing package and the upgraded rear axle gear ratio. when i use it to tow my small teardrop trailer less than 2000 lbs i have a problem with the overdrive constantly switching in and out. this happens even on flat straight-aways with the cruise control on but only when i am doing over 67 mph if i am driving 65 and under it does not switch out. i feel as if this engine should have no problem towing this trailer at 70 while in overdrive. i can easily push this trailer around with 1 hand in my backyard and it it very aerodynamic in shape. http//www.tab-rv.com/ my question is there some sort of adjustment that can be made to whatever tells the tranny to switch out of overdrive or should i just eat the extra gas cost turn off the overdrive and drive in 3rd gear at 3000 rpms vs 2000 or so in overdrive. ====== ====== answers to yer question if....and only if...all else is well with the truck go to the dealership. tell them you want the latest update version installed in the controll module for towing. there is one. also.... theres a harness available aftermarket that changes the shift strategy of the transmission..specifically to aid in towing situations. there are more options... those are the 2 best... in descending order of my preference. fact...not fiction marshmonster takes a slug of his mushroom tea..mmm...good stuff .
From : Annonymous
just got back from the dealer almost the first thing out of the techs mouth was you shouldnt be towing with overdrive on. he pretty much blew off the idea of doing a software update on the control module. that being said when you say aftermarket harness are you talking about those performance chip updates if not can you tell me what i should be searching for i still think it should be able to tow this realtively light trailer with o/d on. .
From : iman nassoul
my 03 durango with the 4.7l tows a 6x10 enclosed thats around 2000 pounds loaded 1200 empty + around 800 gear. i have to switch od off only when pulling moderate hills or longer but not as steep uphill stretches. it will move along at 70 in od most of the time. it never hunts even at 40-50 mph. i found that loading will make a difference in how easily the trailer can be pulled. the wheels are positioned that almost all of the weight in the trailer is in front of the axle making the tounge very heavy. i have to make sure i leave some gear at the rear of the trailer to counter weight it. fracassa@gmail.com wrote just got back from the dealer almost the first thing out of the techs mouth was you shouldnt be towing with overdrive on. he pretty much blew off the idea of doing a software update on the control module. that being said when you say aftermarket harness are you talking about those performance chip updates if not can you tell me what i should be searching for i still think it should be able to tow this realtively light trailer with o/d on. .
From : marsh monster
======= ======= fracassa@gmail.com wrote just got back from the dealer almost the first thing out of the techs mouth was you shouldnt be towing with overdrive on. he pretty much blew off the idea of doing a software update on the control module. that being said when you say aftermarket harness are you talking about those performance chip updates if not can you tell me what i should be searching for i still think it should be able to tow this realtively light trailer with o/d on. ======== ======== the upgrade needs to be done first. and...... i dont give damn what the dealer tech said. and.... if youll gladly invite him here...... i tell him hes full of sheet for you... cuz..... he is. any whooo.......no it aint no chip. it is... what i called it. a harness. and.... i am so upset right now with you for allowing some tweeb arsed wanna be 5 year trainie book smart no sensed dealer wanna be tech........tell you i was full of sheet. so....go google it. p.s. im not mad at you..... jest yer ignernce. marshmonster knocks back a shot.....and fills his glass.......grrrr .
From : Annonymous
marshmonstor please excuse my ignorance - i am learning this crap on the fly here. i appreciate your input immensily i will go to another dealer and and not let them blow me off so easily. but i dont understand how replacing a harness can change shifting characteristics without some sort of chip. i can find a ton of performance chips that claim torque improvements etc.. and i have been googling my arse off but the only harnesses i can find are for adding a trailer connector ie stop/turn lighting and braking. nothing that effects the tranny. throw a guy a link thanks again matt .
From : adolphe menjou adolphe
jph wrote .bob wrote jph wrote i have a 94 dakota with 4.7 really oops meant 2004. at least it ends in a 4! jph ouch! i also have a 04 dakota with a 4.7l. its the worst lemon i have ever known. jam .
From : bob
jph wrote i have a 94 dakota with 4.7 really -- ..bob on order 2006 fxdi red. 1997 hd fxdwg - turbocharged stolen 11/26/05 in denver 1hd1gel10vy3200010 co license j5822z 2001 dodge dakota qc 5.9/4x4/3.92 1966 mustang coupe - daily driver 1965 ffr cobra - 427w efi damn fast. .
From : adolphe menjou adolphe
*** encrypt your internet usage with a free vpn account from http//www.secureix.com *** . 222 314110 44118e71.2a2897b9@pgh.net .bob wrote jph wrote i have a 94 dakota with 4.7 really -- .bob on order 2006 fxdi red. 1997 hd fxdwg - turbocharged stolen 11/26/05 in denver 1hd1gel10vy3200010 co license j5822z 2001 dodge dakota qc 5.9/4x4/3.92 1966 mustang coupe - daily driver 1965 ffr cobra - 427w efi damn fast. ya i was about to ask the same question about this one and 93 and a 4.3l in a previous post. jam .
From : adolphe menjou adolphe
fracassa@gmail.com wrote marshmonstor please excuse my ignorance - i am learning this crap on the fly here. i appreciate your input immensily i will go to another dealer and and not let them blow me off so easily. but i dont understand how replacing a harness can change shifting characteristics without some sort of chip. i can find a ton of performance chips that claim torque improvements etc.. and i have been googling my arse off but the only harnesses i can find are for adding a trailer connector ie stop/turn lighting and braking. nothing that effects the tranny. throw a guy a link thanks again matt what you have to do is tell them what to do. factory trained technicians are trained not to think just do what they are told. the only way to fix the problems with my 04 dakota was to do this. i would be told that they had no instructions from the factory on how to fix the problems. the would ask me what do you want me to do. at this point i would hand them a print out of the cause and remedy for the problem. jam .