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Towing help !!!

6

6.2 man

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Curtis , WA
I am going to buy a car in Raymond Calif. next month . I need to tow this from there to Washington state with a car trailer. My question is will this work with my K5??? I have towed before with it and always seem to lose my transmission later . It's 6.2 diesel with a 700 r4 tranny . I think the problem is always towed things OD . I am figuring this was the problem ? I thought if I engaged the OD on the flats it wouldn't hurt ?I do have a tranny cooler . Any advice would be appreciated and if any body ilives near Raymond I could use the help to get it closer to me !!! Should I try this with my K5 ? thanks !!!:confused:
 
Don't pull it in OD, I don't see a problem with it at all. It's summer so you don't have to really worry about bad weather. It's bad weather that really knocks back the amount of weight you can tow safely. In this kind of weather, you can pull at max GCWR just fine.
 
You should never tow heavy loads in OD with a 700.
I would do a fluid change before you go.
Take it easy in the heat of the day and stop now and then to let things cool down.
 
A small investment in a transmission oil temp guage will help you know when you are hurting the trans.
 
I am towing a 71 Maverick on a 17 foot trailer .Thanks all for the help so far !!!
 
You can carry your self a smaller size tire for the return trip. By going small you effectively change the ratio to make it easier on the trans. I ran 33s on my ram charger then on race night i would change them to some 255s for the pull to the track. change them once you get there though. It will help with the rpm by having the larger tires on.
 
I dont think you will have a problem towing a light Maverick back. They only prolly weigh 2800 lbs plus the trailer. You will be well within the GVW for a K5.
Just make sure yout truck is up for the tow. Dont use OD even on the flats, Check that the trailer is in good condition and the trailer brakes work good. Make sure the car is properly loaded/centered on the trailer.
 
The advice of not using OD at all, is that only because it increases the risk of overheating? So that if I have a trans temp gage and make sure I don't run her too hot, towing in OD is still alright? Or does it increase the wear on the converter or lock-up etc anyway to the point that it's still not recommended? I'm asking since towing in 3rd on the highway would both be noisy and waste more fuel - though I guess if the alternative is a shot tranny it's still a simple choice.
 
You'd have to determine if it would be worth it but another option would be to rent a truck...I know the U-Hauls around here are not only renting the box trucks and trailers like they always have but now they are also renting regular standard cab long bed chevy pickups...

They rent for pretty cheap and might be a good option...put the wear and tear on a rental and save the k5...it would probably get better mileage than the k5 while towing (most around here are just 1/2 tons but still...the fuel injected vortec 350 would do just fine towing that small of a load)...

Just a thought...
 
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