Towing tips w/automatic trans?

[pontiac59]

Any suggestions for making my truck last when occasionally (one to four times a month, primarily longer distances) towing a car trailer?  It has a 350 TBI, 700R4 and a 2.73 rear.   I was thinking I might add a heavy duty trans cooler, or an extra capacity pan with cooling tubes.   Some heavy-duty shocks might be in order, too.   I'm going to add a seperate reciever to the frame for the hitch.   I would think I'll be okay as long as I can keep the transmission from overheating and cooking itself, I'll probably want to stay away from steep hills with that gear.

This particular truck seems to handle poorly if the tires are at all below max PSI, it feels like the back end wants to jump around, almost felt like a wheel was loose on it when I first drove it.  Was a fleet truck and ordered as inexpensively as possible, but with some HD suspension parts (I have the original window sticker for it) - don't think this will be fun with a trailer hooked on, so anything I can add to help minimize this would probably be wise.

[1976Scottsdale]

I would consider a deep pan.  I would reccomend an aluminum one with cooling fins.  I would also install a transmission cooler.  I have never been a fan of the pans with tubes welded into them, it seems like too much of a leak risk.  I would also consider a transgo stage 2 "tow and go" shift kit.

[Mr Diesel]

I highly recommend AMSOIL synthetic fluids front to back. This will extend the life of everything, even under normal driving. You can go to the Amsoil website to find a local dealer and for other information. You can even save money by going to extended drain intervals with their engine oil.

www.amsoil.com

[73K20]

The best tip is to not tow with your tranny in overdrive.  This will fry a stock 700R4 quickly.

1973 K20 - 350/465/205

[pontiac59]

Okay, lets try this again.

Normally when I tow with an OD trans vehicle I shift it manually through the gears anyhow.   Now, once I have the truck up to speed and I am cruising, say down the interstate, you're saying I should still leave it in D range?

[roundedline]

Quote:Now, once I have the truck up to speed and I am cruising, say down the interstate, you're saying I should still leave it in D range?

On a 700R4, most definitely.  They weren't meant to tow in OD.

Chris Lucas
www.73-87chevytrucks.com
www.captkaoscustoms.com
Project Su
Jimmy 2WD Project

[73K20]

That's right, keep it out of O-drive at all times while towing.

1973 K20 - 350/465/205

[TRUCK6DRIVER]

If running in drive makes you worry, A rebuilt trans fron TCI or B&M will fit the bill. They use a larger 4 gear clutch pack with hardened basket for towing. The early 700R4 trans only had 1 firction plate in the 4 gear basket. Towing with one of these meant instant toast. The 700 had 17 changes through 1988. The clutch pack was increased to 4 plates in 1987. Early production 87 models were still using the older style packs that were still in production during the changes. Aftermarket transmissions addressed the problems and made them stronger. Be careful about rebuilders in chain stores. The will only rebuild the to orgional stock specs. If it had an eariler design they will rebuild it to that design. If you do not wish to change the trans then do what the others stated, O.D. means no tow.
RH

[pontiac59]

Thanks guys.  D doesn't bother me, I'm just thinking gas milage is better in OD.  But I usually figure about 10 MPG for towing anyhow -

A friend is making a deal for a batch of vehicles and apparently there is a 1-ton crewcab dually 4x4 in the deal, so I may check into making that a hauler, it's a little better suited to it and can go right off the road into the woods if I need to.

hopefully this posts the first time and I dont lose it logging in again...  

[1976Scottsdale]

Let me put it this way.  A friend of mine is on this count with his truck just from pulling trucks around.

7 TH350's, 1 of which blew 2nd gear out the side cover
5 700r4's, none ever lasted more than 2 months, even when towing in drive
1 th400, this one lasted 2 weeks, it died as a result of 1 light powerbrake.

He had one th350 in his truck with a np203 and it lasted until he recently switched out his th350 for a sm465 and an np205.  Auto's are just not that strong.  OD is not meant for hauling any load at all.  It just WILL NOT handle it.  You will just have to deal with a little worse milage.  Your trans will love you.

[RSBAD454]

Auto trannies are very strong, not sure why the heck all those trannies failed....  I agree, dont tow in OD when hauling anything. Over Drive is meant for no load lower RPM fuel mileage.

Toys are my game