Can I tow a light boat in overdrive?

[Jwill]

I have a 1991 Suburban with the 350 and a 700R trans.<br />Is it going to hurt the tranny to tow an aluminum boat and trailer that weighs less than a thousand pounds in overdrive on a flat highway?<br />When i'm towing the boat and put the tranny in overdrive it doesn't seem to strain the trans any.<br />Thanks

 

[ezbtr]

Re: Can I tow a light boat in overdrive?

It shoudlnt hurt Sub. I tow maybe2000 lbs boat and trlr. w/ 4.0 I6 Jeep, my key is when its shifting from 3rd to 4th alot, I leave OD off, no hunting for gears that builds heat.

 

[Boomyal]

Re: Can I tow a light boat in overdrive?

JS, I'd check with a transmission shop. When an overdrive automatic goes into 4th gear (overdrive) the torque converter 'locks up'. I believe that once lock up occurrs the fluid stops circulating thru the torque converter and becomes extremely subject to overheating. Check to be sure. A little less mileage is a lot cheaper than a transmission. Your transmission is already pulling a lot of weight just moving that big ol' carcass down the road.

 

[JB]

Re: Can I tow a light boat in overdrive?

I think it depends on the vehicle, the transmission and the load, JS.<br /><br />If one has an automatic trans that senses loading and shifts down before lugging begins, and doesn't "hunt" on even moderate slopes I see no problem in letting the vehicle use the highest ratio it is comfortable with.<br /><br />Manual trans? I think not. We aren't sensitive enough to detect injurious stress before overheating begins. Either stay out of OD or shift down for all slopes.<br /><br />A Suburboan towing a tinny is about as low stress as one can get in towing. Your tranny probably doesn't even know it is there.<br /><br />I am going to move this to Trailers, since it really is a boating question.<br /><br />Good luck.