[HAM] Trailer

[Rob Alexander]

My experience has been somewhat different.

That's not to say that the previous advice below is wrong, or a bad 
idea -- obviously two fellow Hammond folks had problems.

However, I've been towing both my small "organ" trailer, and my 
somewhat larger travel trailer (albeit a relatively light one) with 
my Jeep Cherokee off and on for several years now, and I've had no 
problems at all using overdrive or 4-wheel drive.

Depending on the day, how fast I'm going, and the terrain, I may not 
USE overdrive that much. I let it shift back to 3rd as it wants.  If 
I'm on a longer grade, I'll just put it in third, but on long level 
stretches I may use the overdrive.

Drag REALLY increases with speed. 75 MPH is MUCH more drag than 60 
MPH, with corresponding increase in fuel burn and load on tranny and 
engine.  Often when I'm towing I make an effort to keep my lead foot 
in check, and I'll set the cruise control for 55-60 MPH.

Much less strain that way, and considerable fuel savings.

I haven't noticed any problem at all with using four wheel drive, and 
in some ways I think it may be better.  It spreads the pulling load 
over two diffs and axles instead of one.  I also often engage 4WD in 
slippery conditions (rain, etc) just to have more positive traction 
and steering.

It may depend on the TYPE of 4WD you have.  Some 4WD is intended only 
for off-road use, and can be damaged on pavement.  True 4wd has all 
axles locked, and each wheel turns the same amount, whether you're 
going around a corner or not. This should only be used off-raod 
(dirt, mud, snow, etc) where the it won't hurt if the wheels skid a 
bit.

"All" wheel drive has limited slip differentials at each end, so the 
wheels can turn at different speeds as you're cornering.  Most 4WD is 
somewhere in between. Check your user's manual to see where they 
recommend using your 4WD.

My Cherokee has two settings for 4WD 'Hi,' what they call "Full-time" 
and "Part-time" 4WD.  "Full-time" is for use on-road, and is very 
much like all-wheel-drive. "Part-time" is only for use off-road and, 
while using two diffs, is much closer to the original 
all-axles-locked 4WD.

When towing my trailers, I often use the "Full-time" 4WD setting, and 
it works just fine for me.

Just another data point.  YMMV. :)

Rob




>If you have a 4WD, don't go into 4 wheel while towing either! My poor truck
>doesnt work in 4-HI now as a result of this.
>-Jerry
>
>On 5/9/07, Luther Nallie <lnallie at yahoo.com> wrote:
>>
>>  Amen on turning the overdrive off.  Years ago I pulled a small trailer
>>  with an '82 Lincoln Mark VI and got on a fairly level stretch of interstate
>>  and thought I would go ahead and try it in the overdrive mode.  WRONG!!!  It
>>  didn't tear up the entire transmission but did do in the overdrive.  Not
>>  worth it!
>>
>>    Luther
>>
>>  joe d <joedoria at hotmail.com> wrote:
>>    Consider the vehicle towing the trailer too as it will put some wear on
>>  that
>>  transmission and engine.
>>  When hauling, turn that overdrive off.