When I began hauling horses 16 years ago, I was told to always turn OFF the overdrive in my Dodge Ram 2500 diesel. Now I'm reading to USE the overdrive gears when hauling – for fuel economy. What gives? Will I not damage my drive train or something?

Welcome to the forum. To answer your question, transmission technology has changed. The transmissions 16 years ago had only a band brake to engage the planetary gears for OD. Under a heavy load the band would slip generating heat, killing the transmission. Today's transmissions have locking clutches eliminating the slip.

Take the OD off only if the transmission is "hunting" (shifting in an out of OD every few minutes)

So I can safely leave OD on when driving my old 2500,unless the transmission is hunting? Or did your last sentence apply only to today's transmissions? Sorry to be dense.

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Originally posted by reiningldy:
So I can safely leave OD on when driving my old 2500,unless the transmission is hunting? Or did your last sentence apply only to today's transmissions? Sorry to be dense.

I was speaking to today's transmissions. What year is your truck? And what does your truck's manual say to do? You'll always be well served to follow the builder's instruction.

If you have a 16 year old Chrysler transmission that still functions, you're doing well. Keep doing what-ever you've been doing. I've have poor service from my Chrysler transmission. ('94 minivan) Engine is still great though.

My truck is a 1995 Ram 2500, Cummins engine. It has less than 65,000 miles because it's used 90% of the time only for hauling horses or hay. It gets maintenance on a regular schedule. I've always driven it the way my husband told me (OD off) because he would be willing to trade me but not it. Guess I'll continue to drive OD off.