2001 Gmc Savans 3500

Arlen · May 24, 2010

Hi first post. I have a 2001 GMC Savana one ton cargo van. It is loaded with tools and I tried to tow my dump trailer up the hill to my home and it stopped before I got to the top of the hill. I had to back down and try a few times to get up to my home with the dump trailer loaded with 4 tons of road base. My van is rated to tow 10,400 lbs and the trailer was near that I think it should still pull it up the hill with the load? I have a vortex 5700 SFI gas engine. with a 4 speed automatic transmission w/overdrive and electric controls. The rear Axel Is 3.73 ratio. I have about 30,000 miles on the van. I had my foot on the gas and the engine speed was low and it just slowed down and stopped. This is the 2nd time this has happened since i have owned the van. i would like to tow more loads of gravel and dirt up to my home. Any suggestions on what is happening? Thanks David

yukon25008.1 · May 24, 2010

bilieve it or not theres just not enough motor there, i have a 2004 yukon 2500 with an 8.1 and was pulling about 6500lbs worth of stone up a hill to my house and the truck surprised me alittle the way it slowed up the hill.

And im at like 330hp and 460 ft lbs

yukon25008.1 · May 24, 2010

I also have an 01 express cargo van 5.7 and a 4l80e.. and its pretty gutless compared to the 8.1. I wouldnt tow anything with my van but myself and the tools..

Arlen · May 24, 2010

bilieve it or not theres just not enough motor there, i have a 2004 yukon 2500 with an 8.1 and was pulling about 6500lbs worth of stone up a hill to my house and the truck surprised me alittle the way it slowed up the hill.
And im at like 330hp and 460 ft lbs

I don't understand the electronics, or anything, I thought the transmission was the same as they put in a motor home? Why wouldn't it just shift down to the lowest gear and keep going up the hill with the rpm's on the engine reving ? Why does it stop ? Is gutless the only answer? I know when it has less of a load it makes it up the hill ok.

yukon25008.1 · May 24, 2010

i know what your saying,, i just look at it like a truck pull, when that weight moves foward/heavier no metter what the tranny or motor is doing the truck/vehicle just cant do anymore and comes to a stop.

not so much for performance but did you think ablout a muffler,better filter,and a tune/program..

i put a frsh delco air filter in mine and a magnaflow muffler and it runs better

Arlen · May 24, 2010

i know what your saying,, i just look at it like a truck pull, when that weight moves foward/heavier no metter what the tranny or motor is doing the truck/vehicle just cant do anymore and comes to a stop.

not so much for performance but did you think ablout a muffler,better filter,and a tune/program..

i put a frsh delco air filter in mine and a magnaflow muffler and it runs better

I haven't made any modifications,except for a heavy duty 2" receiver. I understand your analogy hill plus weight = stop. Does the electric transmission try to matching the gearing and rpm's of the engine with the torque needed

Arlen · May 24, 2010

i know what your saying,, i just look at it like a truck pull, when that weight moves foward/heavier no metter what the tranny or motor is doing the truck/vehicle just cant do anymore and comes to a stop.

not so much for performance but did you think ablout a muffler,better filter,and a tune/program..

i put a frsh delco air filter in mine and a magnaflow muffler and it runs better

Arlen · May 24, 2010

I called up the local GMC dealer where I had bought my van and spoke to a rep in the service department. The rep asked a mechanic why my van would stop. The mechanic stated that when the transmission was under a lot of strain it would go into a safety mode and idol or not move forward. So when I was going up the hill pulling my trailer my van slowed down and stopped to protect the transmission form damage.

Does anyone know if this is true? Thanks David

hockeypro1411 · May 24, 2010

Did you try putting the trans. into 1st? It'll be a slower climb, but it would keep the motor up in the power instead of trying to shift.

Arlen · May 24, 2010

Did you try putting the trans. into 1st? It'll be a slower climb, but it would keep the motor up in the power instead of trying to shift.

Yes it was in first.

Arlen · May 26, 2010

I learned some information from this site on how to keep my transmission cooler, use a deeper cooling pan, and a larger transmission radiator. I would like to install a guage to see what the actual temp is, now I have a dummy lite sensor.