[GabeMarciano]

Towing in od is usually a no no, however, the manual says not to only for the purpose not reducing engine braking efficiency. The gas of driving in 5th on the highway is killing me. 9mpg pulling a sxs atv. I have a 6 speed maual. The truck pulls fine. If it starts to lug, I drop it into 5th. What do u guys think? Am I putting my tras at risk to save fuel?

 

[rocket67]

I use 6th when loaded down and pulling my trailer .. works fine.

 

[Dark Taco]

no OD for me when I tow.

 

[landphil]

For a manual, 6th on flatter ground will be just fine, drop to 5th or lower as needed, and if it starts to heat up. Down shift on downhill grades or when slowing down. Do you think big rigs don't use top gear when cruising?:ugh3:

 

[Dark Taco]

just a guess...but I think big rigs are geared differently since they are a totally different application.

 

[landphil]

just a guess...but I think big rigs are geared differently since they a totally different application.

Common hwy gears are 3.90's 3.73's and 3.55's, combined with much lower rev/mile tires and .73 top gear ratio on most fuller transmissions puts cruising rpm a little below peak torque, so not really different. As I said before, cruising in 6th is good, as long as you know how to do it properly

 

[GabeMarciano]

i had always heard that the od gear was not as strong of a gear and could take the load of towing. but I did not read anything about this in the manual.

 

[Dark Taco]

Common hwy gears are 3.90's 3.73's and 3.55's, combined with much lower rev/mile tires and .73 top gear ratio on most fuller transmissions puts cruising rpm a little below peak torque, so not really different. As I said before, cruising in 6th is good, as long as you know how to do it properly

makes sense.

 

[Boost JunkY]

You can put it on the highest gear possible depending on load/road. Just feel it out, dont lug the engine. If youre on the throttle and it barely moves then you need to shift down.

 

[landphil]

i had always heard that the od gear was not as strong of a gear and could take the load of towing. but I did not read anything about this in the manual.

6th as well as all other gears would be engineered to handle all the engine torque, no matter whether you are accellerating up a hill empty or pulling a trailer. It is true that the direct gear in a transmission is the strongest as all power flows straight though the shafts , and not through any gears. It's not an issue to be concerned about though, especially if your combined towed weight is 2000 lbs or less. Keep in mind all my comments on this thread refer to manual tranmissions, NOT auto's.:chug:

 

[CWH5]

Put it in 6th gear and downshift when going up hill or lugging as you would in any other gear, It will be fine.

 

[6shooter]

if you know how to drive, it's fine.

 

[GabeMarciano]

what i figured. Thanks for the input.