Towing Gear

[89webb]

I have a 19 ft boat that I tow with a 97 Suburban with automatic transmission. Can anyone tell me, should I tow that in Drive or should I drive in third?

 

[CATransplant]

Re: Towing Gear

Depends on the conditions. On flat, level roads, you can tow in D. If you're pulling hills, use 3. In either case, you need a good transmission cooler, if one's not already installed. Let the vehicle be your guide. If it's frequently shifting between OD and 3, then shift down. If you're towing and it's not shifting, then you don't have a problem.

You could also consult your owner's manual to see what it says, but if the thing's not constantly hunting for the right gear in D, then you'll be OK.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Towing Gear

we've have been towing a 23' with a 94 1500 surburban, with no problem, other than it's the work truck and crummy looking inside and out. just bought a 99 1500 surburban, looks like new, still no problems. and we tow 200 miles round trip every other week, and 900 for vacation in the Keys,

 

[89webb]

Re: Towing Gear

Thanks. I live in Missouri, it's pretty hilly here. I think 3rd may work best.

 

[SuperNova]

Re: Towing Gear

You definitely should check your owners manual. The earlier 4l60e trans you were not supposed to tow in O/D my '94 1500 z71 was one example. But they upgraded the trans in the mid 90's and you then could use O/D, my '98 1500 Z71 being another example. I am not sure what year they made the change, but I remember there was a sticker on the door frame of the drivers door that said in bold print not to tow in O/D. I think the problem is, at the lower engine rpm that o/d provides, there is not enough fluid flow through the lube and cooling circuit of the trans. So the trans overheats and burns up.
--
Stan

 

[BLLDOGG]

Re: Towing Gear

read your owners manual

 

[bucky7680]

Re: Towing Gear

Pull in D unless the trans starts to hunt back and forth then you need to shift to a lower gear. If you have a V8 in that Burb a 18' boat should pull with no problems. If it is a newer one with the tow package it already has a good trans cooler. The newer ones also have a trans temp guage keep an eye on it and shift down if temps get too high. Driving in too low of a gear wastes gas.

What engine and rear gear do you have? They both make a big difference.

 

[89webb]

Re: Towing Gear

My ownwers manual says I can tow in D. It's a 5.7L Vortec engine. Not sure of the rear gear. It's probably the standard gear they put in a 1500. I am a little worried about this because I burned up my transmission last year pulling my boat. Not sure if it was the hills and the boat or the 150,000 miles. Anyway, I had it rebuilt and it runs great now. I just don't want it to happen again.

 

[Silvertip]

Re: Towing Gear

Which gear to use should not be made as complicated as people make it. Once you reach cruise speed, if slight inclines make the torque converter clutch disengage and then re-engage, or if the transmission shifts out of OD frequently (called hunting) you should not be using OD. If the tranny stays locked and in OD with shifting on only the steeper grades, then OD will be fine. If you don't know what the converter clutch feels like, drive at a steady 50 MPH (with or without the trailer). Hold speed with your right foot and GENTLY touch the brake pedal while watching the tach. You will feel the converter clutch release and the tach will rise a few hundred rpm. An overdrive to direct shift is a physical gear shift unlike the converter clutch which locks the engine to the transmission input shaft thus eliminating torque converter slippage.