What gear to pull in?

[Gmchevrolettruck]

Hello, I have a 1999 Chevy 2500 (looks like old style) with a 350 engine, 4 speed automatic, 8 lug wheels. Not sure of the gear ratio. Pulling a 3000 lb trailer 1000 miles mainly over flat land. Was wondering if to leave it in drive or put it in 3rd for pulling. Thanks, Jay

[Brian Lindsey]

does it have a tow package ?, if it does , just run in tow mode , if not  1000 miles of flat land you should be fine in drive , drive speed limits and watch your temp gauge, check trans fluid when getting gas, and check dipstick for burn smell

[KARNUT]

6 hours ago, Gmchevrolettruck said:

Hello, I have a 1999 Chevy 2500 (looks like old style) with a 350 engine, 4 speed automatic, 8 lug wheels. Not sure of the gear ratio. Pulling a 3000 lb trailer 1000 miles mainly over flat land. Was wondering if to leave it in drive or put it in 3rd for pulling. Thanks, Jay

If memory serves 3rd is drive where your RPMS settle will tell the gear ratio. If you’re not jumping back and forth between 3rd and 4th your fine. I suspect you’ll probably need to run in 3rd. Unless you have a 410 gear.

[Gmchevrolettruck]

This truck only has 1,2,3, & drive, not a tow mode like my newer one. Have had to run it in 3rd because of jumping back & forth, burn smell this morning. Thank you guys for your help

[CamGTP]

An old 2500 truck like that will have 3.73's or 4.10 gears. The RPO codes will be in the glove box if it hasn't been ripped off or replaced.

 

It should have no problems towing in Drive with that weight, just turn the tow/haul button on and call it good. You'd only need to drop it down into 3rd for pulling grades. Those 4L80's are tough transmissions.

[aseibel]

Pulling a 3000 lb trailer with that truck on flat ground is nothing. You won't even feel it unless its an 8' tall enclosed trailer, then you are pushing a lot of air out of the way at freeway speed. That would be the only reason to gear down.

 

A midsize SUV can pull 3000 lbs if its just a utility trailer.

[greatmizzou]

When I pulled with a 4l60e I would put it in 3rd on the highway when the Drive mode would hunt back and forth and not stick with a gear.  This happened only when towing a trailer and happened basically all the time regardless of whether I had tow/haul mode on or off.

 

You dont want excessive shift hunting on an automatic transmission, I think because it causes needless excess friction and heat.