Towing with an Auto-Transmission??

[BigDaddyRog]

Hey...Im going to br hauling my cart to FtW on a rented trailer...like 5x9' or somewhere in that general size area. I'll be driving an 02 Jeep Grand Cherokee Laredo. My question is should I leave the shifter in OVERDRIVE, or just REGULAR DRIVE? I dont really know what REGULAR DRIVE is for any more...but I figure if Im EVER gonna need it, I'll probably need it while pulling something.

 

[tellnotails]

Your jeep will prolly down shift a lot pulling this cart.....Try "D" if it still down shifts try "3", etc.....watch your rpm gauge


Slow and easy....

 

[AuburnJen92]

yep, when we had our laredo we had to go to D and sometimes 3, just like tellnotails said, keep an eye on the rpm's and you'll be just fine...

you aren't going through terribly huge hills so i don't think you will have a problem

 

[FtWildrns5]

My truck has a tow/haul button which I believe just turns the overdrive off. So I would say that you should use the regular drive (no overdrive). But then again I don't really know what I'm talking about when it comes to anything even remotely mechanical, so good luck.

 

[big kahuna1]

Rog,

If the vehicle is struggling and keeps down shifting to maintain speed then you will want to take it out of overdirve and drop it into drive which would be 3 if you have a 3. If you don't have a 3 you probably do not have an overdrive so "D" should be fine. But, unless it is struggling to maintain speed by downshifting all the time, not just up hills but on straight aways, then you can leave it in "D".

I have a button on the end of my shift arm that I push once to put in tow/haul mode and then push again to lock out overdirve if needed. You might have a tow/haul button if the vehicle came with the tow package. If that is the case then just put it in tow/haul mode.

 

[PanFanAL]

I would think that with the Jeep, you could probably stay in OD. They are good TV for their size. And the trailer and golf cart won't weigh much. But I would still play it by ear to begin with. I had a Jeep Cherokee (not Grand Cherokee) with the 4.0 inline 6 cyl. I used to tow a bas boat with, and it owed it no problem. I usually just used drive, and not overdrive, but it would have done it. have fun!

 

[ntsammy5]

How about reverse?

 

[AuburnJen92]

Only Al drives in reverse....

 

[BigDaddyRog]

Thanks guys...I'll be eyeballin the rpm guage.

 

[PolynesianPixie]

I know this is a girlie thing to do but......you could consult your owners manual

 

[Shannone1]

I know this is a girlie thing to do but......you could consult your owners manual

That's what I would do But my husband would ask his buddies what they did or figure it out on his own.

 

[big kahuna1]

OK Ladies. Let's be honest now. The majority of woman have no clue, have never seen and never even knew that automobiles came with an owners manual. The ones that do cannot find it because it is in the "Glove Box" behind their gloves. We all know that the worst thing that was ever done to the automobile was to let Woman drive and own them. In fact, they are now coming out with 2 different used auto guides. One for autos that were owned and maintained by Men and the other by Woman. Let the flaming begin!!

Now, when it comes to putting together toys, games, bikes, etc...then you can pull the "instruction/manual" card but NEVER on the automobile.

 

[YellowXterra]

How much do you think the cart and trailer will weigh? If its under 1000 I would drive like normal. I tow 3500 with an 08 Nissan Frontier and tow using OD. My book says to turn off OD after you pass the 4K mark

 

[77ed]

Thanks guys...I'll be eyeballin the rpm guage.

Also watch your temp gauge.

 

[PolynesianPixie]

OK Ladies. Let's be honest now. The majority of woman have no clue, have never seen and never even knew that automobiles came with an owners manual. The ones that do cannot find it because it is in the "Glove Box" behind their gloves. We all know that the worst thing that was ever done to the automobile was to let Woman drive and own them. In fact, they are now coming out with 2 different used auto guides. One for autos that were owned and maintained by Men and the other by Woman. Let the flaming begin!!

Now, when it comes to putting together toys, games, bikes, etc...then you can pull the "instruction/manual" card but NEVER on the automobile.

I found my book when I was searching that box thingy for my lipstick.....





Gimme a break!

 

[terri01p]

Rog my dh asked what size engine does your car have ?

 

[djblu883]

OK Ladies. Let's be honest now. The majority of woman have no clue, have never seen and never even knew that automobiles came with an owners manual. The ones that do cannot find it because it is in the "Glove Box" behind their gloves. We all know that the worst thing that was ever done to the automobile was to let Woman drive and own them. In fact, they are now coming out with 2 different used auto guides. One for autos that were owned and maintained by Men and the other by Woman. Let the flaming begin!!


had to laugh...i know what you mean but glad you added the majority part...i, myself went to mechanic's school 25 plus years ago...i play hero all the time for ladies in need on the road...rescued a lady just Fri. who would have been left out in the country on a DARK road many miles from home had it not been for me...scary in these days and times...I saw her problem before she even stopped on the side of the road...got her calmed down and home before AAA could get there!Gloves haven't been worn for many years unless working outside in a garden...seldom do you find them in the "glove box" ever this day and time lol and yes I do still tinker with my vehicles...and did on my Harley as well!!!

 

[ntsammy5]

OK, let's bring this back OT. Rog, will there be any beer in the cart?

 

[Pirate-Jeff]

A golf cart weigh less than 1000lbs. Your Jeep either has a 4.0 litre six with a 42RE trans or a 4.7 V-8 with a 545RFE trans both can handle the trailer with no problem. Since it is flat land from SE Lousiana to FTW you will be fine. If you feel the Jeep laboring up hills/the bridge over mobile bay or shifting constantly take it out of overdrive (push the button on the side of the shifter) if not leave it in OD.


PS... having the cruise control on will also change the shift pattern(upshifts at a higher RPM and downshifts easier)

28 years as a tech at a Jeep dealer comes in handy

Jeff

 

[AuburnJen92]

I know this is a girlie thing to do but......you could consult your owners manual

stop being such a girlie....let the tomboys and men handle this...

just go to paris and have the time of your life while we all drool....