Trailer Tow Mode Button

[bnicov]

Re: Trailer Tow Mode Button

When towing 7500lbs and up, I honestly think you'd be better off going 3/4ton with a diesel for your next truck. Towing that kind of weight and more won't be much of an issue. A rule of thumb I've heard from a buddy that runs a tranny shop is that you shouldn't tow more than 3/4 of your towing capacity on a regular basis unless you want to be a good customer.

 

[Outsider]

Re: Trailer Tow Mode Button

Silvertip gets the brass ring, it's the converter that causes the problem in 4th gear (with or without Tow/Haul) . Tow/Haul changes shift points in lower gears, makes the changes more crisp (less slippage), and locks out the converter until 60 mph. And shift anomalies are magnified with taller gears.

OK, the consensus is use 3rd gear (no converter), Tow/Haul on, no cruise. That's what I do with my 2001 5.3 with 3.73 pulling 5500#, although I will go to 4th on flat interstate and slightly higher speeds. One thing to remember, you shifter may not be indexed when in 3rd gear - IT CAN BE BUMPED TO 1ST WITHOUT ANY RESTRICTION.

 

[444]

Re: Trailer Tow Mode Button

Bottom line is if your transmission is hunting between gears, pull the shifter down out of overdrive. Switching in/out of OD with a heavy load is not good for your transmission. Sometimes all it takes to prevent your truck from kicking in/out of OD in the hills is to adjust your cruising speed up or down by 5mph or so. Sometimes that extra little bit of more or less speed is what it takes to keep your engine in enough of its powerband to prevent gear hunting. If that doesn't do it, plunk it down into 3rd and live with the higher engine rpm.

 

[DJ]

Re: Trailer Tow Mode Button

Silvertip gets the brass ring, it's the converter that causes the problem in 4th gear (with or without Tow/Haul) . Tow/Haul changes shift points in lower gears, makes the changes more crisp (less slippage), and locks out the converter until 60 mph. And shift anomalies are magnified with taller gears.

OK, the consensus is use 3rd gear (no converter), Tow/Haul on, no cruise. That's what I do with my 2001 5.3 with 3.73 pulling 5500#, although I will go to 4th on flat interstate and slightly higher speeds. One thing to remember, you shifter may not be indexed when in 3rd gear - IT CAN BE BUMPED TO 1ST WITHOUT ANY RESTRICTION.

Cruise Control has absolutely NOTHING to do with tow/haul. Cruise is simply a function of road speed, engine rpm and throttle setting. Cruise CAN BE much more aggressive in throttle setting than a driver might be but that's it.

In my vehicle, Cruise actually looks at vehicle gap and will accelerate when the lane is clear or apply the brakes. when an obstruction appears. Pretty cool.

 

[Okie556]

Re: Trailer Tow Mode Button

When towing 7500lbs and up, I honestly think you'd be better off going 3/4ton with a diesel for your next truck. Towing that kind of weight and more won't be much of an issue. A rule of thumb I've heard from a buddy that runs a tranny shop is that you shouldn't tow more than 3/4 of your towing capacity on a regular basis unless you want to be a good customer.

That would be great way to go if I could afford a new truck. (LOL) If I hit the Lotto......will have me one.

 

[Okie556]

Re: Trailer Tow Mode Button

Silvertip gets the brass ring, it's the converter that causes the problem in 4th gear (with or without Tow/Haul) . Tow/Haul changes shift points in lower gears, makes the changes more crisp (less slippage), and locks out the converter until 60 mph. And shift anomalies are magnified with taller gears.

OK, the consensus is use 3rd gear (no converter), Tow/Haul on, no cruise. That's what I do with my 2001 5.3 with 3.73 pulling 5500#, although I will go to 4th on flat interstate and slightly higher speeds. One thing to remember, you shifter may not be indexed when in 3rd gear - IT CAN BE BUMPED TO 1ST WITHOUT ANY RESTRICTION.

That's the way I'm going for sure and thanks for tip on shifter.

 

[ChampionShip]

Re: Trailer Tow Mode Button

Silvertip gets the brass ring, it's the converter that causes the problem in 4th gear (with or without Tow/Haul) . Tow/Haul changes shift points in lower gears, makes the changes more crisp (less slippage), and locks out the converter until 60 mph. And shift anomalies are magnified with taller gears.

OK, the consensus is use 3rd gear (no converter), Tow/Haul on, no cruise. That's what I do with my 2001 5.3 with 3.73 pulling 5500#, although I will go to 4th on flat interstate and slightly higher speeds. One thing to remember, you shifter may not be indexed when in 3rd gear - IT CAN BE BUMPED TO 1ST WITHOUT ANY RESTRICTION.

I tried the 3 down to 1 with a truck I had a few years ago, it won't shift for obvious reasons

 

[lncoop]

Re: Trailer Tow Mode Button

I tried the 3 down to 1 with a truck I had a few years ago, it won't shift for obvious reasons

Don't leave us hanging. Tell us more.

 

[ChampionShip]

Re: Trailer Tow Mode Button

Don't leave us hanging. Tell us more.

I dont know if it's a speed sensing thing to avoid the easy slip from 3rd to 1st by bumping the shifter, but when I tried it a few times it wouldn't change gears. It did work in 1 when I stopped and shifted, though.

 

[lncoop]

Re: Trailer Tow Mode Button

I dont know if it's a speed sensing thing to avoid the easy slip from 3rd to 1st by bumping the shifter, but when I tried it a few times it wouldn't change gears. It did work in 1 when I stopped and shifted, though.

Oh, thankfully I misinterpreted. Thought you somehow managed to get it out of third and into first at high speed.

 

[Silvertip]

Re: Trailer Tow Mode Button

Cruise Control has absolutely NOTHING to do with tow/haul. Cruise is simply a function of road speed, engine rpm and throttle setting. Cruise CAN BE much more aggressive in throttle setting than a driver might be but that's it.

In my vehicle, Cruise actually looks at vehicle gap and will accelerate when the lane is clear or apply the brakes. when an obstruction appears. Pretty cool.

The point being made has nothing to do with Tow/Haul as you say, but it does point out how good driving habits can affect fuel economy which was the point being made. Doesn't matter if cruise is on or not. ANTICIPATE a hill. Don't wait until you are half way up it before adding thorttle. It is easier to accelerate on the flat than is going uphill.

 

[tswiczko]

Re: Trailer Tow Mode Button

Hi Okie, I was just wondering if you have gone to a Chevy truck sight and asked this question. I was reading on one a while back and think it said something about needing to get the computer reprogrammed for the larger gears or needing the transmission flashed not really sure wich it was but you might get some good information from a chevy truck forum.

 

[gtochris]

Re: Trailer Tow Mode Button

Now...getting "SERVICE 4-WHEEL DRIVE" message. Of course never used 4-wheel drive after having gears changed until a few weeks ago and put in 4-high to move friends boat in a steep yard. Sounded bad and had trouble getting it to switch back to 2-Wheel. QUOTE]

My fathers Tahoe (One in the sig) had that issue, ended up getting stuck in 4x4 and wouldnt switch into any other mode. Required a new "encoder" modual. it was expensive but a necessary fix.

OK, the consensus is use 3rd gear (no converter), Tow/Haul on, no cruise. That's what I do with my 2001 5.3 with 3.73 pulling 5500#, although I will go to 4th on flat interstate and slightly higher speeds.

I've done something similar, but pull 3500lbs so a little less, but with the 4.8L/ 3:73 gears. I find it doesnt stay in OD/ Tow haul however once rolling, if on a flat long distance road I can turn off the Tow/ Haul and it holds OD just fine. Not sure if that builds more heat then being in 3rd/ Tow haul? I think MPG is a loss either way.