2004 LB7. First big towing trip with Edge EZ coming up on Sun/Mon (IL to FL). GCW of 21k. Edge suggests using level 1 (35HP) when towing heavy, and level 2 (50HP) for light/moderate towing. Was thinking of trying level 2 though. Anyone here tow heavy in level 2? Any problems with limping the tranny? Any noticable difference in engine or exhaust gas temps between levels 1 and 2? :confused:

The only really mountainous area of this winter trip is in southeast TN (Monteagle in particular) and northern GA. The rest is mostly level with some rolling hills. However, next summer we will tow for 1 month in the Rockies, so comments/experiences on mountainous towing would be appreciated.

Thanks,
Paul.

i don't have an edge, but some friends that do tow in level 2, without problems. I say just be easy on the throttle on acceleration, then just cruise and you should be fine.

I would say no problem, I have towed on 2 heavy before. Now this isn't for everybody but I have a friend that tows a 40' toy hauler on 5/5 hot juice stock tranny. This isn't heresay I have been in the truck and witnessed it myself.

rPaul,

I have towed my rig in level 2, very gingerly though on initial acceleration. Gears 1 and 5 are the big slippers in the Ally, IIRC 2-4 are very hard to slip. I'm running Transynd and a deep pan along with the MikeL cooler on my Ally, I like the results. Defuel between shifts as well. FWIW there was no significant difference in 1 and 2 so I run on 1. Not sure what level 2 will do to fuel economy. :o:

Devil,

Sounds like your bud wants a new tranny, just speeding up the process considerably! ;) Be safe folks. Happy New Year to. JJ :)

East coast to West coast this October: 4800 miles, 51 mph avg speed, 13 mpg avg fuel consumption, 23,800 lbs on level 2 the whole time. Didn't do any full throttle shifts (set to defuel between locked shifts, back down at 1350 egt) but did pull 6% + hills floored a couple of times after shift and had 0 problems with trans or anything else. Couple of times hit about 1330 degrees egt, biggest reduction in egt came with a downshift to lower gear and IIRC temp would drop a couple of hundred degrees. Did run through a week or so of 90+ degree outside temps so wasn't just the cool temps of fall type driving.
By the time we arrived home we had probably dropped a couple of hundred pounds of excess food we were hauling. Had been living in the trailer for 2 &1/2 years full time. Enjoy...

Devil,

Sounds like your bud wants a new tranny, just speeding up the process considerably! ;) Be safe folks. Happy New Year to. JJ :)[/quote]

I can't explain, how it has lasted this long but he has been doing this for about a year. His edge is always on 5/5.

I can't explain, how it has lasted this long but he has been doing this for about a year. His edge is always on 5/5.

All Allison transmissions are strong, but from all I can gather on this site, some come from the factory stronger than others. Your friend must have gotton one of the REALLY strong ones, because others have damaged their trannys with less power/stress, and over a shorter period of time.

Chinook47: You have one HEAVY fifth wheel, and one POWERFUL truck... ;)

--Paul.

I tow with PPE 330 ET on max stacked with the Juice on 3x5.

No issues other than needing a lift pump.
Of course trans is beefed up a little, and the twins take care of the EGT's nicely.

I have been asked not to race up a certain 'hill' anymore with the trailer loaded like that on max fuelling. Seems that the Allison internals have some.... limits at those elevated stress levels.

I pull a 15,500 pound (24,000 lb gross) 44' gooseneck all over the country, including Iowa to Florida. I run my edge in position 2 and keep an eye on the EGT's. I get around 10-11 MPG running the cruise at 80 MPH.