My question today is that I have a fourteen foot 4-wheeler trailer that I pull with my 2002 4x4 Crew D/Max, Allison. The trailer does have an 8-foot rack built on it about 8-feet down the trailer from front to back (square tubing and expanded metal). I am not sure of the weight but I do not think the truck should be having any problems what so ever. Also when I am pulling the trailer it seems to me that transmission heats up really fast (just above 200 or 210 whichever is the middle). It also sounds like the truck is running really hard kind of like when it is cold and seems to be running very loud. Take in mind also that it is probably 95 degrees down here. I said all that to ask what if any thing do I need to check on the truck. I have just had it serviced and the fuel filter changed. Another thing is that is I do not think this trailer should be any load for this truck and it seems to be right now. The truck has 60,000 miles on it. Sorry for my ignorance on this but I am trying to learn and I want my truck to last a while. I guess the main problem is question on power. How Much???


MMBDEdited by: MallardManBD

Check your trailer brakes to see if they are dragging and go weigh that thing to see how much weight you are pulling. Hey and welcome to the site.

One other thing, are you using the Tow/Haul mode? If you are not it can accelerate trans temp increases. I pull an 18 ft car trailer with nothing more than my 50" Craftsmen Lawn tractor on it, and it seems like it weighs 5 tons! However when I tow my 9500lb 5ver it hardly seems like it's back there. May just be psycological, but like Gruber said check the trailer brakes.


Gruber,
I dig your avatar. I loved McHales Navy.....http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/Clap.gif


JP

I have no trailer brakes

Even with a trailer that does not weigh that much do I need to be using my tow/haul. It could be psycholgical, but it does seem like it is what everyone is telling me and not a whole lot better that my old Z-71 gasser.


MMBD


Edited by: MallardManBD

Tow/Haul makes the torque converter lock up 2nd through 5th gear if I recall correctly. Helps keeps tranny temps down. Also since it's hot that louder noise is you fan clutch kicking in running the fan. It does consume a noticable amount of power, at least to me and makes a fair amount of noise. Mine kicks in much more frequently when towing. My trans. temps. usually run just under 200 to just over 200 towing.

So no major problems ya'll think. Everything sound normal.

My temps usually @ 190 when it is 95* unloaded and @ 210 loaded with 10K 5er. When the outside temps drop my temp are @175-180s.


Ben http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/Rock On.gif

So Should I be able to feel a trailer that is so 3000 lbs.

I dont know but I tow on level 4 of the Egde (120hp) and my rig pulls my 5er like a champ.


Ben

You should not be able to feel a 3000 trailer. I have only towed 6000 TT so far and the old saying you could not feel it was back there was very true. Sounds like something is wrong to me, my 02.

Heartbeat Hauler, I totally agree with you. Something lighter seems to make a truck struggle more than something realy heavy. I was pulling a 31 foot toy hauler that weighed 10500-10800 fully loded. We just bought a 2005 Keysotne Raptor 37.5 foot toy hauler 5th wheel) and tried it out this weekend in southern colorado. Weighs about 13500 without water... and it actually pulled faster and we got better mileage...go figure that one out. I, too, have the Banks Stinger TLC kit and it would pull in 5th on all but the steepest and longest grades. I was shocked and pleasantly surprisedhttp://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/Approve.gif