Towing with a Supercharged 6.0L Update

cdhd2001 · January 10, 2003

Towing with a Supercharged 6.0L Update.

Well, here is the update I promised everyone.

Quick recap of previous (stock) performance.

2001 Chevy 2500HD 6.0L/auto/4.10

1996 Alfa Ideal 30ft, approx. 11k lbs.

1) towing mileage = 8.0-8.5 mpg

2) flat ground, no wind = OD @ 70 mph @ 2,500 rpms

3) flat ground, with wind = 3rd gear @ 65mph @ 3,000 rpms

4) moderate to medium inclines/hills = 3rd gear @ 60-65 mph @ 3,000 rpms

5) steep inclines/hills = would need to down shift part of the way up = finish the incline in 2nd gear @ 4,500 rpms @ 50-55 mph

Quick recap of previous performance with addition of Superchip tuner.

2001 Chevy 2500HD 6.0L/auto/4.10

1996 Alfa Ideal 30ft, approx. 11k lbs.

1) towing mileage = 7.3-7.8 mpg

2) the chip would add about 5 mph to the towing speed over stock

Now, to the good stuff! Over the Christmas Holidays we took our first trip since adding the supercharger. Distance was 400 miles round trip through the Texas hill country. Here are the results.

2001 Chevy 2500HD 6.0L/auto/4.10

Powerdyne Supercharger, Transgo shift kit, Flowmaster 70 series BBII muffler

1996 Alfa Ideal 30ft, approx. 11k lbs.

1) towing mileage = 8.5 mpg (two tanks, fighting norther on the return trip)

2) flat ground = OD @ 70-73 mph @ 2,500 rpms

3) moderate to medium inclines/hills = OD @ 70-73 mph @ 2,500 rpms, on a handful of hills downshifted to 3rd gear @ 65-70 mph @ 3,200 rpms (I had to ease off the gas to keep from speeding)

4) steep inclines/hills = would need to down shift part of the way up = finish the incline in 3rd gear @ 3,000 rpms @ 60-65 mph

My wife and I are very pleased with the performance and our decision. On 50 miles of the return trip we followed my parents. He has a 2001 Chevy 3500 8.1L/allison/4.10 with a 2,000 lbs of equip towing his 1996 Carri-lite 30ft 5th wheel (approx. 11k lbs.). On previous trips we have made with them I would struggle in the hills to keep up with him (he was running 70-75 mph, my truck liked 60-65mph). This time, however, I had to keep slowing down so as not to run him over! BTW, his mileage towing on the trip was 6.0/6.5 mpg.

I can’t wait for the Colorado trip this summer!