"Severe Service?" - 6 spd trans fluid change schedule for AT4 3500 HD carrying a 3000# camper practically full time

markny · May 7

Trying to plan for trans fluid change schedule for AT4 3500 HD carrying a 3000# camper practically full time.

While truck is 4wd much of driving around the country has been on paved roads in 2wd and/or Auto.

Not sure, but assuming this might qualify as "severe service?"

Additional Required Services

Severe Service Every 40 000 km (25,000 mi)

Change transfer case fluid, if equipped with 4WD...

Every 72 000 km (45,000 mi)

Change automatic transmission fluid and filter.

Pryme · May 7

Can’t hurt.

UltimateToolReviews · May 24

Severe Service honestly just means you plan to keep the truck longer than 150K miles. Normal service is just what they use when you lease it. The bare minimum and nothing else.

Another JR · June 15

The reduced gas mileage you get carrying a large truck camper is an indication of how much harder the drivetrain is working versus running unloaded. Almost more important than the weight is the aerodynamic drag of the camper at highway speed. That constant extra horsepower being run through the transmission wears components somewhat faster and causes the transmission to run at a higher fluid temperature, which deteriorates the fluid faster. You should definitely follow the drivetrain severe service recommendations if you carry a large truck camper full time.

lineman1234 · June 19

Works a ( little ) harder yes, trans and oil temp dont change at all for me.

MORSNO · June 19

19 minutes ago, lineman1234 said:

Works a ( little ) harder yes, trans and oil temp dont change at all for me.

Why is your camper so far back from the front bulkhead wall?

lineman1234 · June 20

10 hours ago, MORSNO said:

Why is your camper so far back from the front bulkhead wall?

45 gallon gas transfer tank..... That camper has a 27 inch CG,,,, meant for a 5.5, 6.5 or 8 foot bed, so dont have to be against the front wall on mine.

I go between the 5ver and tc so the transfer tank is nice for long travels, great for lots of generator run time if ever needed.

MORSNO · June 20

13 hours ago, lineman1234 said:

45 gallon gas transfer tank..... That camper has a 27 inch CG,,,, meant for a 5.5, 6.5 or 8 foot bed, so dont have to be against the front wall on mine.

I go between the 5ver and tc so the transfer tank is nice for long travels, great for lots of generator run time if ever needed.

I knew you must of had a reason and it looks to ride ok back there.

lineman1234 · June 20

10 minutes ago, MORSNO said:

I knew you must of had a reason and it looks to ride ok back there.

I took off the camper bump stops and made a stop that goes on the side of the box up front to keep the camper off the tank.

The camper is as in the pic 2,200lbs or so, drops the pig 1.5 inches. Ill be installing a front hitch mount this week to use a folding rack on the front as well as a 2 foot extension on the rear for another folding rack for stuff for winter south wandering travels.

The old gas vs diesel debate... About 4 years ago when Texas had a freeze and lost a good part of its grid, i was there for the winter and lost power for a week. I had my diesel with a 100 gallon transfer tank full of diesel and a 5 gallon gas can for my generator.

Another reason i love my choice of the gasser,,, now i can have the gas transfer tank full of gas and have lots of gen run time.

lineman1234 · June 20

Pump is on the drivers side.

Picking it up, i had to take the tailgate off, as in there wisdom, The tailgate sits 1/2 inch taller than the bed. The tc has 4 ribs that it sits on, one would be putting lbs on the tailgate not dividing it across the bed.

When i got it home, i moved the rib in 18 inches and it sits all on the bed now so i can leave the tailgate in.