Towing with half tons?

[austinado16]

Sort of like underwear that never needs to be changed.  Sure, you can do that, but why would you want to?  

Austin

I've always loved the transmissions and differentials that are "Filled for life" at the factory and don't have drain plugs.  So when the thing grenades, the factory says, "See.  Just like we promised, the fluid lasted the life of the unit."

[wavery]

I've always loved the transmissions and differentials that are "Filled for life" at the factory and don't have drain plugs.  So when the thing grenades, the factory says, "See.  Just like we promised, the fluid lasted the life of the unit."

Actually, I would feel perfectly comfortable going 100K on synthetic ATF in a passenger car. The stuff does not break down and it doesn't burn (like traditional ATF). However, it will contaminate, like anything else. Contamination is a very mute point on an automatic transmission though. Synthetic ATF will not hold contaminates in suspension as much as traditional ATF (another bonus). The real killer is heat and that is why synthetic is so superior. I would just be concerned that contamination may increase when a lot of towing is done.

I purchased an oil pan with a drain plug :sombraro:.

[austinado16]

The thing that bothers me about the filled for life or other hight mileage type useage is the amount metal and other debris that can accumulate.  Certainly helps if there are magnets, but many times there are not.  The filled for life stuff that I've sucked out has been very nasty/dirty.

[AustinBoston]

The thing that bothers me about the filled for life or other hight mileage type useage is the amount metal and other debris that can accumulate.  Certainly helps if there are magnets, but many times there are not.  The filled for life stuff that I've sucked out has been very nasty/dirty.

In addition, magnets only work on magnetic metals.  While most of the guts of a transmission is steel, I would not be surprised to find some aluminum and plastic in there as well.

Austin

[wavery]

The thing that bothers me about the filled for life or other hight mileage type useage is the amount metal and other debris that can accumulate.  Certainly helps if there are magnets, but many times there are not.  The filled for life stuff that I've sucked out has been very nasty/dirty.

What one may be seeing as "nasty/dirty", may well be burnt additives that are put in the ATF. When the additives burn, they turn to like dirt/mud particles. Most of the fine metallic or organic particles are held in the filter or stick to the magnet. A transmission just doesn't get that with synthetic ATF. It doesn't burn.

Trans fluid should be a nice cherry red. Once a person sees any brown, the fluid is degraded past the point of doing it's job. When it gets nasty, that is a sure sign that the clutches are burnt and there may well be severe wear to hard parts.

If there is "nasty/dirty" in trans fluid, it's time to replace that trans or sell that car. Replacing the fluid won't stop the disintegration of the trans. Although it may slightly prolong it. I would NOT tow with a vehicle once the fluid has gotten nasty, not even after the fluid is changed. Transmission parts do not heal :p .

[austinado16]

All kinds of materials are used in transmissions: steel, brass, bronze, aluminum, kevlar, asbestos and other fiberous materials, etc.

Regarding the nasty/dirty fluid, I'm not talking about my Suburban.

[wavery]

All kinds of materials are used in transmissions: steel, brass, bronze, aluminum, kevlar, asbestos and other fiberous materials, etc.

Regarding the nasty/dirty fluid, I'm not talking about my Suburban.

I know that you weren't talking about your vehicle at all :yikes: . It was a general statement and so was mine . I edited the post  so that it does not seem personal.

I was a Dealership Service Manager for many years and I think the single most neglected item on customer's vehicles is their transmission service. The fact is, most people never even realized that they must service the transmission.

My post was more directed at less informed people than yourself (it's obvious that you are mechanically inclined and take very good care of your stuff). A lot of people read these posts and hopefully 1 or 2 may learn something and it could even save a trans or 2 from self-destruction do to a lack of maintenance.

[scottykrug]

All kinds of materials are used in transmissions: steel, brass, bronze, aluminum, kevlar, asbestos and other fiberous materials, etc.

Regarding the nasty/dirty fluid, I'm not talking about my Suburban.

Kevlar in your transmission?  What part of town do you drive though? :sombraro:

[sacrawf]

Who out there tows with a half ton pick up? Has anyone had any trouble with there truck from excessive towing? How much weight do you tow, mileage, cargo, etc...My transmission is having problems (2000, Ford F-150, 4x4). My towing limit is 7,900 lbs, I tow a 2003 Jayco Kiwi Hybrid, 23 foot, 3,900 lbs dry weight. Just curious of others that may have or had problems in the past and what kind of problems.
Thanks, Jamesdad

Back to the original question, the transmission problems that you may be having should be unrelated to towing.  I have abused many 1/2 ton pickups over the years when I used to be a farmer; International, Ford, Chevrolet, and GMC, by doing such things as hauling hog feed or firewood piled up the the cab roof, pulling anhydrous ammonia tanks, loaded hay racks, pulling logs and brush out of creeks with cables and chains, slogging through muddy fields and pastures pulling grain wagons, etc.  We did have to replace worn or broken u-joints, stripped gears out of differentials and transfer cases, and a have a rare clutch replacement, however our 1/2 ton farm trucks never had a transmission issue. Even though trucks may not be built as heavy as they once were, pulling something as lightweight and easy as a hybrid trailer or popup is nothing compared to the work these trucks were designed to do for farmers and contractors.

[austinado16]

Didn't take it personal at all Wayne.  Just wanted to spec that it wasn't mine that was full of debris.......at least not yet anyway!  Although I did freak when I watched the trans oil temp gauge go to 230*F pulling a long grade stuck behind a big rig in 110*F temps.  It was only there a couple of minutes and cooled right off once we decended and got around the rig.

But I did come home and toss the fan clutch in the trash!  The new one roars like a freight train, so it's pretty obvious it's working...and the other one never made that noise.  We'll see what happens on the next big hill climb.

Now back to the point, I aggree, 1/2 ton trucks are excellent all around for working and towing, and yet still get good mileage compared to the bigger stuff sporting 7 liter engines.  Generally don't feel the car trailer, or PUP, or watercraft trailer, unless it's a long steep climb.

[TheViking]

I get about 8 mpg towing my TH when it's loaded. I think if I had a bigger truck with a V-10 or Diesel I would get better mpg.  It won't have to work as hard.

[Jamesdad]

Thank you for everyone's responses, good info to read up on. My truck went into the shop last Wed. It was diagnosed with a blown "coast clutch", in between 2nd and 4th gear. Just a mechanical failure, no reason on why. Towing had nothing to do with it they say, trans fluid was fine, no other problems. In order for them to fix it they had to tear down the entire trans, fix the internal parts and put it back together for a pretty penny. For another pretty penny extra I had them install a heavy duty trans that the Ford diesel trucks use, much better tranny all around. I am not planning on selling the truck, keeping it for the long haul and a better all around deal. My truck has 107,000 miles, lots of good miles left. It does have the trans cooler. Now when I drive it, it sounds and feels like a heavier tranny, works great and noticably more power and tighter feel when driving. Looking forward to towing soon to see the difference. See you guys in Oct, happy camping.

Jamesdad...

[JohnandLeann]

Hi Jamesdad,
How's that trans holding up?  We are looking into an F150 ourselves.  Had a Ranger but it has recently been totaled.

[wynot]

Who out there tows with a half ton pick up? Has anyone had any trouble with there truck from excessive towing? How much weight do you tow, mileage, cargo, etc...My transmission is having problems (2000, Ford F-150, 4x4). My towing limit is 7,900 lbs, I tow a 2003 Jayco Kiwi Hybrid, 23 foot, 3,900 lbs dry weight. Just curious of others that may have or had problems in the past and what kind of problems.
Thanks, Jamesdad

That's not the pickup, it's the brand...  :p
 
Look at it this way, many domestic pickups routinely (daily?) tow at their limit, whether half, 3/4 or 1 ton trucks.  And run a long time.  Chevy, GMC, Ford, and Dodge.
 
A lot of full time fifth wheel owners, tow huge fifth wheels with 3/4 ton and 1 ton trucks.  Without tranny problems, and we're talking about 12,000 to 22,000 lbs.  Now granted, it does appear that most RVers with fifth wheels are towing with GM trucks, but conversely a lot of farmers and construction folks tow huge loads with Fords.  
 
There isn't any reason that your Jayco should give your truck problems.  Have you kept your tranny fluid changed?  I change at 30,000 miles just for the cheap insurance of new fluid.  But I know that GM is saying 100,000 miles or 50,000 miles towing frequently.

[wynot]

I get about 8 mpg towing my TH when it's loaded. I think if I had a bigger truck with a V-10 or Diesel I would get better mpg. It won't have to work as hard.

My Duramax diesel gets between 12-14 mpg towing a fifth wheel.  Sometimes it does downshift from 6th to 5th on steep uphill mountain grades at 65 mph.  But most of the time, it is turning over 1,600 rpm in 6th.