I'm looking at a 2005 with the automatic tranny and I want to hear from folks who tow with them. How is the auto working for you? Is the tow/haul mode workable?

I am hesitating on the purchase only because there is no way to lock out overdrive....otherwise the truck is in great shape.

Let me know your opinions...

 

It will drop out of OD once you get onto a hill or once once on the hill you can cycle the TH button off/on to drop it out of TH. It will stay out of OD until your throttle pressure drops off as the hill flattens out. So, it works OK on hills.

On the flats you're stuck. You'll cruise along at 1500 RPM in OD unless you're driving too fast.

I'd like to be able to control the OD myself, frankly. There's got to be a way to interrupt the circuit that engages OD in a fashion similar to the TC locking "mystery switch." I haven't looked into it.

I'd by a manual trans if I were buying again.

 

I tow 7k 5th wheel, the T/H works well, especially if I have it on Cruise control. It will even downshift on hills, and helps to engine brake (a little).

with the 3.73 gears, that 55mph range does seem to lug a little at 1500rpm as the previous poster mentioned. But towing 60-65 is great.

All around good truck in my opinion.

 

The ECM can be reprogrammed for overdrive off instead of tow/haul http://dodgeram.info/tsb/2007/21-006-07.htm but can't have both like the 06-up trucks have. But the TSB supposedly makes the transmission shift "normal" just with no OD and 3rd locks up later, which is why I wont get it done. The T/H with OD has worked fine for me towing only about 6k lbs but I sometimes I wish it had both like the 06-up.

 

hardly use the tow haul mode on mine

but when i do, its a doozie... FWIW..ive only used it on a 32 foot goose with a 4 door crew cab 4x4 dmax in the back, and same trailer with a 416B backhoe with all the goodies, oh and three times towing 17 rolls of hay on the same trailer... it will still shift to overdrive and down shift right away, but i just keep driving it, i dont do over 60-65 mph with any load heavier than the above.. so i cannot say that it does not work well, it just wont stay on the proper gearing without wanting to go into overdrive.., but i just get used to the downshifting.. if i was towing this much weight daily or more often than twice a month, ida gone with a manual, but since this is occasional, once every three or four months or so, and for short tows, i let it be...

overall the stock tranny holds up great to towing my three horse slant fully loaded, and a sixteen foot tag with up to 8K or so in weight.. I do tow tractors from time to time, but they are smaller john deeres that fit on a 24 foot gooseneck... right now its usually protein, corn, cattle feed, and feeders.. so its no sweat on my stock tranny...

my tranny is stock, completely stock, just has new solenoids, and pressure sensors. i just dont force the truck, i let it pick up speed on its own, and it does just fine.. i dont drive faster than what i know i can control the load with, and yes i have a prodigy in the cab as well...

also, i turn down the smarty to stock for the heavier loads, and leave it at 5 daily driven setting for most everything else.....

bottom line.. it does the job, can it be better? yes absolutely.. but if your wondering it will tow your toys just fine...

 

Sure you can and even better than the 06+ trucks becuase you can preserve the TH features in OD Off.

BD Power OD Lockout control, best ~ $200 mod you can do to an 05 48RE.


You are simply stuck on the newer trucks whether it be auto or manual. They will both tow well in the GCVW bone stock. The manual will give you better control and higher tow weights, the auto better mileage and easier driving. Wash on the differences.

Want to add power, neither the auto or the manual will last for long. Either the TC or the clutch is gonna need addressed eventually. Cost for upgrading to handle modest power is so close you can't tell the difference.

If the truck shifts, drives, and rides good go for it. If all your towing is 10k or under its more than adequate when you understand how it works.

 

BD O/D lockout box works great nice to have when towing less than 55mph

 

Thanks for the info everyone...exactly what I was looking for. My current toys are all under 10k so doesn't sound like an issue.

I like that BD box, for $200 it seems like a no brainer.

 

on a 2005 will it really downshift from OD in cruise control on its own ? i dont really tow with cruise control on.

 

I like my '05 and it is an auto, I use tow haul a lot. I use it driving around the city all the time even empty. saves the tranny from heating up and helps you stop better with less braking. I also use it off road in 4x4 and in the winter on snow packed roads. the box would be the way to go so you have the best of both worlds!

 

Yes.

 

yeah, even downhill... I keep my cruise at 55 in the hilly areas, and it does a decent job of downshifting for whatever limited engine braking I do get... keeps me sane.

If were towing much heavier, I'd consider an exhaust brake for sure.. here in AZ.

 

Ahh, that was what i was wondering is if it would do engine braking. i guess next time i have a load ill try cruise control and tow/haul

 

Like I said it's limited to the poor engine braking a diesel offers.... but it's better than riding the brakes most of the time..