Can I tow a light boat in overdrive?

[Jwill]

I have a 1991 Suburban with the 350 and a 700R trans.<br />Is it going to hurt the tranny to tow an aluminum boat and trailer that weighs less than a thousand pounds in overdrive on a flat highway?<br />When i'm towing the boat and put the tranny in overdrive it doesn't seem to strain the trans any.<br />Thanks

 

[ezbtr]

Re: Can I tow a light boat in overdrive?

It shoudlnt hurt Sub. I tow maybe2000 lbs boat and trlr. w/ 4.0 I6 Jeep, my key is when its shifting from 3rd to 4th alot, I leave OD off, no hunting for gears that builds heat.

 

[Boomyal]

Re: Can I tow a light boat in overdrive?

JS, I'd check with a transmission shop. When an overdrive automatic goes into 4th gear (overdrive) the torque converter 'locks up'. I believe that once lock up occurrs the fluid stops circulating thru the torque converter and becomes extremely subject to overheating. Check to be sure. A little less mileage is a lot cheaper than a transmission. Your transmission is already pulling a lot of weight just moving that big ol' carcass down the road.

 

[JB]

Re: Can I tow a light boat in overdrive?

I think it depends on the vehicle, the transmission and the load, JS.<br /><br />If one has an automatic trans that senses loading and shifts down before lugging begins, and doesn't "hunt" on even moderate slopes I see no problem in letting the vehicle use the highest ratio it is comfortable with.<br /><br />Manual trans? I think not. We aren't sensitive enough to detect injurious stress before overheating begins. Either stay out of OD or shift down for all slopes.<br /><br />A Suburboan towing a tinny is about as low stress as one can get in towing. Your tranny probably doesn't even know it is there.<br /><br />I am going to move this to Trailers, since it really is a boating question.<br /><br />Good luck.

 

[bluewater19]

Re: Can I tow a light boat in overdrive?

My Gm suburban 1500 4x4 manual says it is fine to tow in overdrive. It goes on to say that you should tow in 3rd only when your tranny is hunting back and forth between gears. I tow my glastron(3000lbs) in overdrive and have no problems. My heavy boat(6000+) gets 3rd gear only. I have towed this way for 60k miles and the only thing I do is change the tranny fluid every 30K. I think it is important to note that the manufacturer does alot of testing before making the owners manual and I have seen some of this testing first hand. It is nasty drive through the desert towing a trailer with a dyno brake attached to simulate all kind of grades type of testing. <br />I would think with a small boat on there you would hardly even feel it. Thats what my suburban tows a 12' aluminum boat full of camping gear like. <br />Good luck and be safe!

 

[POINTER94]

Re: Can I tow a light boat in overdrive?

I think the only way you will know it is there is if you cut a corner to sharp and you hit something with the trailer. <br /><br />I would agree with all the above posts. Run it in OD and you will be fine. I didn't catch where you are from, but unless you are at a high altitude and a mountainous terrain you can expect no issues.

 

[wraenking]

Re: Can I tow a light boat in overdrive?

Jus, with the amount your hauling, you should be fine. but like was said, id rather pay for some more gas than a new tranny. <br /><br />i have an 86 full size blazer, and i was towing my boat down to get the powerhead rebuilt, didnt even think of shifting past overdrive, and i lasted about 35 minutes. white smoke everywhere. big trail of tranny fluid giong down the road. i have not had a chance to drop the tranny yet, but i think its just the front pump seal, but you can bet ill never tow in overdrive again. lol

 

[crazy charlie]

Re: Can I tow a light boat in overdrive?

Many manufacturers specifically state NOT to tow in overdrive.If you decide to, keep an eye on the engine temp.Thats where you may see any problems arising.If you dont have a temp gauge to keep an eye on the temp, I would recommend that you DONT tow in o/d.The reason the engine heats up is because towing puts a strain on the motor and o/d makes the engine turn less and work easier.If there is strain on the motor you need to make it turn faster(more rpms)to compensate.This will keep the temp down.Charlie

 

[MrDumb]

Re: Can I tow a light boat in overdrive?

Probaly about all you tow with that is a Blow-Up raft!

 

[mattttt25]

Re: Can I tow a light boat in overdrive?

suburban towing an aluminum boat? do you even know it's there? drive any way you want.

 

[montanaman]

Re: Can I tow a light boat in overdrive?

Does your Chevy have the towing package? If not I would install an aftermarket trans cooler and an inline spin-on type filter. You can get this with a temp. guage so you know if you are stressing your tranny or not. If you keep your tranny cool and clean it should be O.K.

 

[bluewater19]

Re: Can I tow a light boat in overdrive?

Gm does specify to tow in overdrive unless tow vehicle is hunting back and forth between 3rd and 4th Once the torque converter locks up your fluid temp goes down because the tranmission is mechanicly coupled to the engine and not using tranny fluid to spin the converter. With a aluminun boat that small just drive like you normally do.

 

[dhammann]

Re: Can I tow a light boat in overdrive?

I agree with Blue water...if you can,t feel the trailer behind you the drive like you normally do. Your load is too light to be concernd. The best way to treat a auto tranny is to avoid jack rabbit starts and to downshift when it excessively hunts for a shift point. The easier you pull away from traffic lights the longer your transmission will last,

 

[Jwill]

Re: Can I tow a light boat in overdrive?

Thanks for all the replys. <br />I towed my boat about 100 miles yesterday in overdrive without a problem. The tranny never gear hunted. I always towed in 3rd because i've heard GM trannys were junk. <br />I was always leary to tow in overdrive because it seems everytime I see a used Suburban for sale it has had a recent rebuilt tranny installed.<br />Everyones replys have been helpful (except for MrDumb reply (i don't get it).<br />THANKS!!!

 

[wgander]

Re: Can I tow a light boat in overdrive?

If the transmission doesn't hunt, it's probably OK to leave it in overdrive.<br />Only reason I can see to mannually select 3rd gear is if you're going to be going down a steep hill: you'll get more engine braking in 3rd than in overdrive.

 

[JasonJ]

Re: Can I tow a light boat in overdrive?

I tow my boat in overdrive (95 Ford F150), and the total towed weight is somewhere around 2000 lbs and I barely know its there. It never hunts or any of that. I know, its not a GM....

 

[Dwain B]

Re: Can I tow a light boat in overdrive?

I know there are lots of varying opinions to consider. Let me put in my 2 cents worth. I was a GM trans tech thru most of the 80's. If it is worth anything my recommendation is put a cooler on for sure. The largest one that your truck will accomodate. Thermostatically controlled if possible. Plumb the lines to the cooler (mounted in front of radiator) first then run the line to the radiator. Transmissions have a required working temp just like an engine. Plumbed that way it uses the coolant temp to bring the trans to operating temp sooner. The 700R4/4L60 was not known to be reliable workhorse anyway. Anything you can do to help them is cheap insurance. I also recommend changing fluid/filter every 30k miles. When refilling, use the additive LubeGuard. It helps lower the temp of the fluid. It is not a friction modifier as some claim. It takes the place of the whale oil that was used "back in the day". If possible (and you're capable of following written instructions) it would be wise to install a shift improver kit. Not the racing version...just enough to cut slipping between shifts. It is a good saturday project and it is not difficult if you are meticulous. With what I have described and barring any hard part failures, your trans should last for years.<br /> Dwain

 

[macojoe]

Re: Can I tow a light boat in overdrive?

I have a full size 1990 Blazer 5.7 TBI and I have had it since new. I now have 177,000 miles on the orinagle transmission! I tow a utlity trailer in overdrive, 2000 # boat in over drive, 4500# boat in 3rd, and a 10,000# Camper in third.<br />I have changed the tranny fluids about every 30,000 miles, and installed a good tranny cooler.<br />So far (knock on wood) still going great!

 

[AFishin69]

Re: Can I tow a light boat in overdrive?

You have nothing to worry about. I read some earlier posts you are pulling an aluminum boat with a suburban do you even know its back there? I am pulling a 18' Chirs Craft Fiberglass hull with my Toyota Tacoma I-4. I mean that works my engine but it pulls it. Don't worry just enjoy, if you are worried about the tranny, pull it with the overdirve off, that way you will have nothing to worry about. If you are still not convived just look up your vehicles towing capacity and then look up that dry weigt of your boat, you will see you are well within your towing capacity. Other than that good luck and safe boating!

 

[BinLurkin]

Re: Can I tow a light boat in overdrive?

I would say, nothin' to worry about here. I did this with a 4 cylinder engine. Assuming you have an automatic trans. I don't know what a 700r is. I got a 2001 Chev truck & tow a 22 foot Silverline cuddy cabin with a V-8 engine & 260 Merc outdrive. It's reasonably heavy. Unless it's shifting back & forth to much on a big hill with a long slope I don't need to do nothing. They don't call them, the transmissions, automatics for nothin'.