Info On Tow Mode

[cghbuilder86]

I have an '04 Silverado 5.3 V8. I wondering when I need to use the tow mode and when not to use it. I know when I'm pulling my two horse trailer with a horse in it (around 4,000lbs.) that I should use tow mode. Is that city and highway? All the time when pulling soemthing heavy? Also what is about the weight that you should use it. I'm also thinking of taking a trip and taking two fourwheelers. What is about the maximum weight that you would not need tow mode?

Thanks for any info ;)

[pwall]

I don't recall the percentage of weight that tow/haul should be used, but it is in the owner's manual.

For your horse trailer, definitely.

For the atv's, perhaps not.

 

There are a few here that use tow/haul anytime they tow something with considerable weight. It does increase the shift points, thus allowing the engine to go higher in the rpm range. Overall, it's easier on the truck.

[700 sportsman]

I believe the rating is 75% of the trucks capacity, but I normally use it when taking off from stop signs and getting on the highway and what not, but just cruising it's not necesary. I normally tow about 4,000ish

[cghbuilder86]

Can you take it in and out while driving? I guess I could engauge it in the city and take it out on the highway.

I believe the rating is 75% of the trucks capacity, but I normally use it when taking off from stop signs and getting on the highway and what not, but just cruising it's not necesary. I normally tow about 4,000ish

[nickvrebel]

Can you take it in and out while driving? I guess I could engauge it in the city and take it out on the highway.

sure, you can engage and disengage as often as you like while driving.

 

Personally, I don't use it unless towing, and then it has to be considerable weight

examples:

*4 wheeler in bed (with gear, ice chest, etc going hunting ~1,000 lbs) I don't use it

*17 ft decked aluminum bass boat I only use it in hills with the truck actually acknowledges the boat

*20 ft pipe top utility trailer with my 4 wheeler + Yamaha Rhino it stays on

[66nova]

Can you take it in and out while driving? I guess I could engauge it in the city and take it out on the highway.

I believe the rating is 75% of the trucks capacity, but I normally use it when taking off from stop signs and getting on the highway and what not, but just cruising it's not necesary. I normally tow about 4,000ish

 

 

 

I don't understand why anyone would want to turn it on and off

 

It increases line pressure allow better hold on the clutches. It also changes up/down shift points to keep the engine closer to its power band and helps decrease gear hunting thus decreasing tranny temps.

 

I do believe the number the manual says is 75% of the GCVW. But I usually use it even when I am a little lower then that. But, I also have a tune that removes a lot of the TM in my regular drive mode.

[jblakeney]

If it weights more than 6 people in the cab or 500 lbs in the bed.... OR anything is attached to the trailer ball that has more than 1 tire... Bump it in tow/haul.... It will reduce the MPG's but it will out weight a transmission rebuild!!

 

Jbo

[TRCM]

If it weights more than 6 people in the cab or 500 lbs in the bed.... OR anything is attached to the trailer ball that has more than 1 tire... Bump it in tow/haul.... It will reduce the MPG's but it will out weight a transmission rebuild!!

 

Jbo

 

 

but will it outweigh an engine rebuild cuz you wore it out by spinning it faster than you needed to ??

[jrrod2004]

If it weights more than 6 people in the cab or 500 lbs in the bed.... OR anything is attached to the trailer ball that has more than 1 tire... Bump it in tow/haul.... It will reduce the MPG's but it will out weight a transmission rebuild!!

 

Jbo

 

 

but will it outweigh an engine rebuild cuz you wore it out by spinning it faster than you needed to ??

 

 

 

The above statement is true up to a point. The tow/haul mode forces the trans to keep the engine closer to its "peak" part of the powerband. Most Vortec engines peak out above 4500 RPMs. My truck shifts around 2500-2800 rpms when tow/haul mode is engaged. No where near its peak and potentially grenading the engine. Vortec engines have a reliable history both as a family workhorse as well as company used engines. Look it up.

[jblakeney]

If it weights more than 6 people in the cab or 500 lbs in the bed.... OR anything is attached to the trailer ball that has more than 1 tire... Bump it in tow/haul.... It will reduce the MPG's but it will out weight a transmission rebuild!!

 

Jbo

 

 

but will it outweigh an engine rebuild cuz you wore it out by spinning it faster than you needed to ??

 

 

The LS-1 is a nice high rev'ing engine...... I am not scared to hold it at 4500 stock......

 

Jbo

[jrrod2004]

If it weights more than 6 people in the cab or 500 lbs in the bed.... OR anything is attached to the trailer ball that has more than 1 tire... Bump it in tow/haul.... It will reduce the MPG's but it will out weight a transmission rebuild!!

 

Jbo

 

 

but will it outweigh an engine rebuild cuz you wore it out by spinning it faster than you needed to ??

 

 

The LS-1 is a nice high rev'ing engine...... I am not scared to hold it at 4500 stock......

 

Jbo

 

 

 

careful, you might not get 500K out of it like you want, instead you might get 480K...

 

sorry, I had to

[TRCM]

If it weights more than 6 people in the cab or 500 lbs in the bed.... OR anything is attached to the trailer ball that has more than 1 tire... Bump it in tow/haul.... It will reduce the MPG's but it will out weight a transmission rebuild!!

 

Jbo

 

 

but will it outweigh an engine rebuild cuz you wore it out by spinning it faster than you needed to ??

 

 

 

The above statement is true up to a point. The tow/haul mode forces the trans to keep the engine closer to its "peak" part of the powerband. Most Vortec engines peak out above 4500 RPMs. My truck shifts around 2500-2800 rpms when tow/haul mode is engaged. No where near its peak and potentially grenading the engine. Vortec engines have a reliable history both as a family workhorse as well as company used engines. Look it up.

 

 

 

Not saying it will grenade, but I am saying it is putting more wear on your engine which most people don't consider. I'd rather replace a transmission than an engine myself.

 

Want a high revving engine ?? the 3.0 in my Mercury Sable wagon has no redline on the factory tach, and when it downshifts, if you are in the throttle, it will spin to 6k before it shifts......and usually chirps the tires when it does (with 209,000 miles on it too)....

[jrrod2004]

If it weights more than 6 people in the cab or 500 lbs in the bed.... OR anything is attached to the trailer ball that has more than 1 tire... Bump it in tow/haul.... It will reduce the MPG's but it will out weight a transmission rebuild!!

 

Jbo

 

 

but will it outweigh an engine rebuild cuz you wore it out by spinning it faster than you needed to ??

 

 

 

The above statement is true up to a point. The tow/haul mode forces the trans to keep the engine closer to its "peak" part of the powerband. Most Vortec engines peak out above 4500 RPMs. My truck shifts around 2500-2800 rpms when tow/haul mode is engaged. No where near its peak and potentially grenading the engine. Vortec engines have a reliable history both as a family workhorse as well as company used engines. Look it up.

 

 

 

Not saying it will grenade, but I am saying it is putting more wear on your engine which most people don't consider. I'd rather replace a transmission than an engine myself.

 

Want a high revving engine ?? the 3.0 in my Mercury Sable wagon has no redline on the factory tach, and when it downshifts, if you are in the throttle, it will spin to 6k before it shifts......and usually chirps the tires when it does (with 209,000 miles on it too)....

 

 

 

10/4 on that...I just post what I have experienced or seen...others will chime in

[jblakeney]

If it weights more than 6 people in the cab or 500 lbs in the bed.... OR anything is attached to the trailer ball that has more than 1 tire... Bump it in tow/haul.... It will reduce the MPG's but it will out weight a transmission rebuild!!

 

Jbo

 

 

but will it outweigh an engine rebuild cuz you wore it out by spinning it faster than you needed to ??

 

 

The LS-1 is a nice high rev'ing engine...... I am not scared to hold it at 4500 stock......

 

Jbo

 

 

 

careful, you might not get 500K out of it like you want, instead you might get 480K...

 

sorry, I had to

 

 

 

Welllll, 4500 rpms.....

 

Jbo

[jrrod2004]

If it weights more than 6 people in the cab or 500 lbs in the bed.... OR anything is attached to the trailer ball that has more than 1 tire... Bump it in tow/haul.... It will reduce the MPG's but it will out weight a transmission rebuild!!

 

Jbo

 

 

but will it outweigh an engine rebuild cuz you wore it out by spinning it faster than you needed to ??

 

 

The LS-1 is a nice high rev'ing engine...... I am not scared to hold it at 4500 stock......

 

Jbo

 

 

 

careful, you might not get 500K out of it like you want, instead you might get 480K...

 

sorry, I had to

 

 

 

Welllll, 4500 rpms.....

 

Jbo

 

 

 

- your gas mileage must suck