What gear for towing 6000lb

[champ210]

What are you guys using running 70-75 on the hilly interstates? 5th or 6th. If using 6th does it down shift much. I haven't bought one of these trucks yet but I have drove a LLY and loved how it never down shifted with my boat on the interstate. Just wondered if the 6 speed will be the same.

[04LB7]

Depends on how much throttle input your asking for when your going up those hills. Tow/haul mode is usually pretty spot on with downshifts and up shifts.

[Hook'em_Horns!]

For that small amount (6k lbs), hit T/H, set the cruise and forget 'bout out.

Selective lock out and running in 5th benefits only comes into play with 12k lbs and above.

[lavarock]

I do not recommend towing at 75. But if you do just put it in D Tow Haul on and let the Allison do its job. With Tow Haul on it will not be shifting very much.

[jevanb]

it will shift to 6th above 60mph in tow haul, at least mine does, if I stay at 55 it will not go into 6th unless I take it out of TH.

[Dmaxftw]

I dont have the experience pulling with a dmax yet since i haven't purchased mine yet but since your all saying that the allison doesn't shift much with T/H on is that really serious? even in the hills and what not? my 07.5 1/2 ton with the stupid freaking 4 speed tranny they put in it shifts like a compulsive ocd freak with tow haul on and my cruise set. And i have done this with 4-5k lbs behind me and with just 1500 lbs behind me it makes no difference i hate the half tons 4 speed its sooo annoying in the hills. I believe the tranny i have is the 4L60E or something to that effect.

[jevanb]

Originally Posted by Dmaxftw

your all saying that the allison doesn't shift much with T/H on is that really serious? even in the hills and what not? .

yep it will only down shift if the computer thinks it needs to, I have a rather large/high bridge I cross and I can almost make it to the top at 65mph in 6th with the trailer in tow. I had a 04 2500HD with the 6.0 gas and it was always hunting gears. but since we have soooo much power it is not all used up. the only reason I shift to 5th is if the egt`s get high but that was before EFI

[Lawman]

Egt's and fuel mileage will be better in 5th gear.

[CapnDean]

Originally Posted by Dmaxftw

I dont have the experience pulling with a dmax yet since i haven't purchased mine yet but since your all saying that the allison doesn't shift much with T/H on is that really serious? even in the hills and what not? my 07.5 1/2 ton with the stupid freaking 4 speed tranny they put in it shifts like a compulsive ocd freak with tow haul on and my cruise set. And i have done this with 4-5k lbs behind me and with just 1500 lbs behind me it makes no difference i hate the half tons 4 speed its sooo annoying in the hills. I believe the tranny i have is the 4L60E or something to that effect.

EXACTLY what you are describing is why I bought a Dmax. I had an 07 1/2 ton with the 5.3 - - It would not tow my 5000# boat at interstate speed PERIOD . Flat level at 65 was about the best it would do if you feathered the throttle. ANY attempt to accelerate or even the slightest grade and it would shift back down into 3rd - worse yet a big hill and it would go back to second.

I replaced that truck with a 2500HD with the 6.0 and 4:10 rear axle (also the 4l80E transmission - a HUGE improvement, Cept that the gas burner will not pass a gas station without stopping in for a drink.