Tow vehicle questions?

[GatorMike]

I have 2 vehicles that should be capable of towing my 19' Welcraft but am having trouble with both of them. I can't afford 2 transmission rebuilds right now and doubt these vehicles need one. I know transmission shops tend to take advantage of every opportunity to stick it to customers so I thought I would try to get some input before taking these vehicles in. My 99 F150 does fine and drives normal until I hook up the boat trailer. It slips when towing, especially pulling up the ramp. I just put a hitch on the wife's 2000 Durango with 5.9 litter V8 which I figured had plenty of weight and power to tow a 19 footer. It towed well but between 20 mph and 50 mph it constantly jerks as if it is up shifting and down shifting constantly. Once again this vehicle drives fine while not towing. I need at least one of these vehicles in good towing shape. Anybody have an idea which problem would be easiest to repair and what I should know before taking them to a transmission shop? I've had bad luck with transmission shops before and don't want to get taken.

 

[demsvmejm]

Re: Tow vehicle questions?

First a few questions and a disclaimer. I'm a certified mechanic, but I'm not a tranny guy, so here goes. How far do you tow the boat? The longer the distance the more important my next questions become. Do you have auxiliary trans oil coolers on either of these, and not the puny OEM coolers? Either of these vehicles SHOULD be capable of towing your boat if they’re in good shape and it sounds like you keep them that way. Do you tow in overdrive, if so STOP IT!!!! That's the first thing a reputable tranny shop will tell you. I have a '95 S-10 Blazer with 190K on it and tow my 19' SeaRay and my 2500# camper with. In regular Drive range, I have no problem towing either one other than running hot (Not overheating, just hotter than normal with the a/c on). Chrysler, in my opinion, did not have a very good drivetrain in any of their vehicle for the last two decades, but that's another topic. I owned a Dakota and a two consecutive Voyagers; all of them had a bad habit of "hunting" when in any moderate load condition. Sounds like that's what you're experiencing with the Durango, leave it in "D" and turn the O/D OFF! And you should be fine. It sucks extra gas and that sucks I know, but hey, it's cheaper than a trans rebuild. When pulling up the ramp, use 4WD LOW if you have it, if not I feel for you. A buddy has a Ford F350 (the old Super Duty) and he'll smoke the clutches in his auto trans if he doesn't use low when moving his horse trailer around the pasture and barn if he doesn't use 4WD LO. I'll spare you the mechanical lecture, but in those high load/high torque situations the clutches in your auto trans just can't handle the load for too long.<br />I hope this answered some of your questions. If you have anymore post them in a reply and I'll try to help. Just get a big trans oil cooler installed and use regular "Drive" or 3rd gear and you should be all set.

 

[jimr]

Re: Tow vehicle questions?

make sure to turn overdrive off when towing and see if it helps. take them in and have the trannies serviced and bands adjusted. DO NOT have it done at a quick lube. if you don't have one get a aux tranny cooler. if the ford is slipping when towing its slipping when not towing you just notice it more with a load.

 

[JB]

Re: Tow vehicle questions?

You don't seem to know the most important fact about your vehicles, Mike: Tow rating as equipped.<br /><br />Big doesn't matter. Heavy doesn't matter. Power doesn't matter.<br /><br />Drive train matters. Brakes and tires matter. Extra cooling, tranny cooling, electrical power and gearing matter. Wheelbase and suspension matter.<br /><br />You might be surprised at the tow rating of some heavy and powerful vehicles. . .some even "towing not recommended".<br /><br />Your Wellcraft almost certainly weighs over 3,000# ready to tow. Do you have brakes on the trailer? They are required by law everywhere, over 1500# in some states.<br /><br />Find out the rating of both vehicles AS EQUIPPED. If it is over 3500# repair the tranny on the one you want to keep. If your trailer has no brakes, put them on. You might get to be as old as JB <br /><br />Good luck.

 

[agrazela]

Re: Tow vehicle questions?

GatorMike,<br /><br />Your wife's gonna be pretty unhappy when you burn up that Dodge transmission towing your toy around.<br /><br />My vote is to make your F-150 your tow vehicle...assuming it is truly up to the job. What is the engine and drivetrain in your F-150? What is the rear axle gear ratio?

 

[beezee28]

Re: Tow vehicle questions?

Thanks D.Moore. I pull an 18' maxum and have travel with over a distance of more than 150 miles each way with the O/D on. I did not know that it is bad to have OD on when pulling a load. Thanks for the info. I will take OD off the next time I put a load on my truck. It is a Dodge Ram 1500 5.9l, hopefully it did not mess up the trans. My pickup is driving fine.

 

[springhead]

Re: Tow vehicle questions?

everyone should read there vehicle's owners manual's before towing anything,

 

[GatorMike]

Re: Tow vehicle questions?

Update... I think I was a little premature with the comment about the Durango. I noticed last night the trailer hitch ball had a little play in it, I tightened the ball and traveled on a much smoother road this morning for about 100 miles each way. I noticed very little of the jerking motion. I'm still going to have to get the F150 fixed since it is my main tow vehicle. <br /><br /> Thanks for the comments

 

[lark2004]

Re: Tow vehicle questions?

Don't you check all tow fittings when you hitch up each time? A little play in the ball can weaken it dramatically, to the point of breaking. I would throw the old one away now and put a new ball on, spend a few dollars there and save thousands on repairing your boat when the trailer breaks free on the road........