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Mr. Luddite

On 5/27/2014 2:23 PM, wrote:
On Monday, May 26, 2014 9:54:37 AM UTC-4, John H. wrote:
On Mon, 26 May 2014 03:54:34 -0400, "Mr. Luddite" wrote:

On 5/25/2014 8:14 PM, Poquito Loco wrote:

On Sun, 25 May 2014 18:50:26 -0400, "Mr. Luddite" wrote:

On 5/25/2014 6:08 PM, Poquito Loco wrote:

On Sun, 25 May 2014 17:36:22 -0400, "Mr. Luddite" wrote:

On 5/25/2014 3:17 PM, Poquito Loco wrote:

On Sun, 25 May 2014 15:04:31 -0400, "Mr. Luddite" wrote:

On 5/25/2014 8:25 AM, Poquito Loco wrote:

On Sat, 24 May 2014 18:13:59 -0400, "Mr. Luddite" wrote:

On 5/24/2014 4:03 PM, Poquito Loco wrote:

I'm thinking of putting one of these on the Silverado. Anyone had any experience with the concept of

increasing the oil supply to keep it cooler?

http://www.ebay.com/itm/PPE-Allison-Deep-Tranmission-Pan-Duramax-Allison-1000-2000-2400-Series-128051000/121345886743?_trksid=p2047675.c100011.m1850&_trkpa rms=aid%3D222008%26algo%3DSIC.MOTORS%26ao%3D1%26as c%3D22855%26meid%3D7132067336503725629%26pid%3D100 011%26prg%3D9833%26rk%3D1%26rkt%3D10%26sd%3D121335 643997

Followup to my last ...

I assume your Silverado has a transmission fluid temp gauge as well as

an engine temp gauge. My Ford F-250 Super Duty does, I know. If I were

noticing higher than normal transmission temps while towing I'd be more

inclined to add an axillary transmission fluid cooler rather than just

increase the capacity of the transmission pan.

If I am not mistaken your truck has the Allison transmission. From what

I've heard, it is a superb transmission for towing ... probably the best

thing GM has going for it in their trucks. Unless it's getting hotter

than normal, I'd leave it alone. Just my humble opinion.

Here's an interesting and informative piece about Allison transmissions. I'll probably just leave

mine alone for a while. I've never seen the temp get much over 200.

http://dmaxstore.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=16_363&prod ucts_id=668&zenid=2euu9fpbqf4tmumt6ecj7kbu74

The Pace Arrow Class A motorhome we had for a while had an Allison

transmission. It was the only thing I liked about the whole rig.

Ford sorta copied some of the operating characteristics of the Allison

in the "TorqueShift" transmission used in the Super Duty Series. It

operates similarly to the Allison, including different gear ratios on

the downshifts than the upshifts.

One thing common to both that I assume you do ... always use the

"Tow/Haul" mode when towing. Otherwise, it *may* get hotter than normal.

That is on my checklist. This sits on my dash:

DEPARTURE

" TOW/HAUL MODE

" JACKS 'OFF'

" HITCH FORWARD

" HITCH LOCKED

" TRAILER BRAKE

" REGRIGERATOR GAS

" TAIL LIGHTS

" WALK AROUND

" GET WIFE

Except for the last, I've forgotten all of them at least once!

It has been awhile but I remember always doing another hitch check on

the 5th wheel we had. Manually engage the trailer brakes only and,

while holding them on, try to pull way with the truck. If the hitch

isn't engaged and locked properly, you'll find out in a hurry. This is

done before fully retracting the landing gear.

If mine isn't fully engaged I can't lock it. But, thanks for the tip.

ummmmm... Just because your lever indicates it is in the "locked"

position doesn't guarantee 100% that it *is* locked. Not trying to

nit-pic but the place that sold you the 5th wheel should have gone over

the test I described during your inspection and pickup. It's a pretty

standard test that ensures the pin is securely positioned and locked in

the hitch.

Kinda embarrassing (and potentially costly) to retract the landing gear,

put the truck in drive thinking everything is locked only to have the

pin crash through the bed of your truck or worse.

I'm talking about the locking pin. Unless the latch is closed, the locking pin won't go into it's

hole. Oh, and I've also go a 'bed protector' in case I get really stupid! It catches the pin if it's

not latched properly. On my hitch, it's pretty easy to see if the jaw is closed.

No, no one suggested holding the trailer brake and trying to pull forward. If the jaw wasn't closed,

sounds like a good way to do some damage.

Look up "tug test".

I did, and I understand what you're saying.

I've just not heard it before - even from all the other 5th wheel guys we hang with. I use the

trailer break to put the hitch back and forth for maneuvering, but have never used it to check

whether the pin is locked. I get a decent jolt when I back into the pin, and it's easy to see if the

pin is in all the way or not. Lastly, I put the locking pin in. If it goes, then the latch is

closed. It works well.

Back when I messed around with trucks it was pretty common to check with the trailer brakes on. You just tug a little to see what happens. Better to find out in the yard than on the road. But that was 18 wheelers, not rvs.

When my son and I picked up our fifth wheels (we did so on the same
day) both of us were instructed on doing the "tug" test. It certainly
doesn't hurt anything and ensures that the hitch is engaged and locked.
We both had Reese hitches that were installed in our trucks by the
same company that sold the fifth wheel RV's.