Towing And Hauling Question.

[Sykesville_Silverado]

 

Here is what I am doing. I have 2 ATV's (660 Grizzly's) that I haul on one of those standard 7x12 landscaper type trailers. This is not a super heavy load but I dont want to damage or mess up the tranny. When should I use or do I have to always use this button when towing this load. I am not always both atv's on the trailer but I do not want to use the tow button and get 8 to 9 mpg if the standard Drive selection is ok with this haul. I have the 5.3 with the 6spd tranny. Any input or suggestions would be great. If I knew I was going to be climbing a lot of hills and stop and go I think i would keep it on till I was back on longer flatter less hilly stretches of road.

 

Thanks again.

[dewfpo]

You should be just fine without using T/H mode. The trailer probably weighs around 700 lbs or less and both ATV's together are around 1,300 lbs, throw in some gas cans and you at about 2,000-2,100 lbs. You won't even know it's back there. No worries.

 

DEWFPO

[Sykesville_Silverado]

You should be just fine without using T/H mode. The trailer probably weighs around 700 lbs or less and both ATV's together are around 1,300 lbs, throw in some gas cans and you at about 2,000-2,100 lbs. You won't even know it's back there. No worries.

 

DEWFPO

 

Awesome.. thanks..

[OH1]

I use it whenever I have over 1000lbs. In the bed or on the hitch. Is it needed? Who knows but I am not taking chances.

[Stevens03]

As others stated, your truck will hardly know it's back there. You really only need it when your on the highway and you notice the trucks shifting in/out of OD and if towing heavy. Certainly your trailer/ATV's aren't heavy

[ChrisNJ]

I tow 5-6K without T-H mode. When I towed 8K, I used it.

I have 6.2/6sp, so good amount of power. And my new '11 6.2 is more powerfull and shifts way better than my '07-6.2/6sp.

[arwriter]

Awhile back I was towing an enclosed trailer with a total weight around 3,000 pounds and I found that with that low of weight the truck performed much better with Tow/Haul off. The change in shift points in Tow/Haul would definitely help with a much heavier load, but with only 3,000 pounds it wasn't necessary. In terms of power, the truck didn't skip beat.

[SpeedyV]

I tow so rarely these days that I use T/H whenever pulling just to exercise the button

[dannyboy20]

Acording to my Chevy manual it states that you only need the tow/haul when pulling very havy loads. I trailer 2 snowmobiles on an enclosed trailer and the only time I engage the button is on hilly terrain.

[terzmo]

I towed A loaded 0ne car trailer through PA...through the "mountains" with a/c on and got over 13 mpg 2@ 70 mph in "tow" mode. I noticed it only changes shift points and the same RPM's are the same in any gear...5.3/308/6 speed.

 

I don't use tow mode when the trailer is empty. Truck pulls ok without it. If not already, get a brake box

[ChevyTech77]

Per the '11 owners manual.........

 

"Tow/Haul is designed to be most effective when the vehicle and trailer combined weight is at least 75 percent of the vehicle's Gross Combined Weight Rating (GCWR). Tow/Haul is most useful under the following driving conditions:

When pulling a heavy trailer or a large or heavy load through rolling terrain.

 

 

When pulling a heavy trailer or a large or heavy load in stop-and-go traffic.

 

 

When pulling a heavy trailer or a large or heavy load in busy parking lots where improved low speed control of the vehicle is desired.

 

Operating the vehicle in Tow/Haul when lightly loaded or with no trailer at all will not cause damage. However, there is no benefit to the selection of Tow/Haul when the vehicle is unloaded. Such a selection when unloaded may result in unpleasant engine and transmission driving characteristics and reduced fuel economy. Tow/Haul is recommended only when pulling a heavy trailer or a large or heavy load."

[OH1]

^ Thats good a real number there.

 

So my 1k lb load is a good point to do the T/H for me.

 

IE: my truck is 8600lb GVWR. It weighs 6k empty with fuel and me in it. (weighed on scales at the gravel pit and the scrap yard).

 

So that sets me at 7k lbs if I have 1k lbs in the bed. So just over 75%. Thats for my truck though.

 

Granted that number changes when I am pulling a trailer but mostly if I am pulling it's either a bobcat or a car so T/H is used for sure.

[music]

^ Thats good a real number there.

 

So my 1k lb load is a good point to do the T/H for me.

 

IE: my truck is 8600lb GVWR. It weighs 6k empty with fuel and me in it. (weighed on scales at the gravel pit and the scrap yard).

 

So that sets me at 7k lbs if I have 1k lbs in the bed. So just over 75%. Thats for my truck though.

 

Granted that number changes when I am pulling a trailer but mostly if I am pulling it's either a bobcat or a car so T/H is used for sure.

 

It's 75% of GCWR, or "gross combined weight". GCWR = tow rating plus vehicle curb weight. It doesn't really matter, since it won't hurt to use it empty. That recommendation is more about fuel economy, I think.

[OH1]

Right, if your pulling a trailer. It also states heavy load in the bed so I would guess the 75% still applies?

[tyhuck]

I just use mine when it feels like the truck is struggleing. If its performing OK without it, I dont use it. But, if its downshifting alot ot taking more throttle than I think it should, I click the button and away we go.

 

You wont damage the trnasmission unless you are grossly overloading the truck. These things are so smart now they are almost self-preservative. THe T/H mode just makes it a little easier. I also use mine like a performance mode and its still doing OK.