First notable Towing with my '16 Sierra Texas Edition

martinto · June 22, 2016

Texas Edition, crew cab, 6.2l, 4X4, 8 Speed with Max Tow Pkg. Pulling a TT est at 6500-6800Lbs. Moderate load in truck bed. Towed from Upstate of South Carolina to the coast of Georgia just above Jacksonville, FL. 350 miles each way some and side trips, so I probably put on 1000 plus miles total...700 miles towing. Some Interstate miles, but mostly secondary roads through SC and GA. 8 speed was smooth, engine didn't work hard. Trans temp never went over 196F even in near 100F outside temps. Very pleased. Heading west later in the summer for a 4-6week, eat. 6000 mile cross country trip towing. A couple of questions for those that can share their experience or opinion

still 70% oil life remaining...should i change the oil before the trip?

I ran my GY tires at 40PSI, not max, but 8 psi higher than spec'd for the tires.

Looking forward to any feedback and really looking forward to the trip!

Thanks

O_J_Simpson · June 22, 2016

still 70% oil life remaining...should i change the oil before the trip? No. Why would you do that? You still have 70% life left.

I ran my GY tires at 40PSI, not max, but 8 psi higher than spec'd for the tires. Why would you do that? Looking for a blow out or premature inner tire tread wear?

Looking forward to any feedback and really looking forward to the trip! Don't sweat something your truck was designed to do each day of it's life. That is not much towing weight. Just hit the road and have fun.

martinto · June 23, 2016

Enthusiast, thanks for the feedback. Re the oil change, only thinking from the perspective of "break-in" period and any particles that may be suspended in the oil. Worked in turbine jet engines, auto and motorcycle mfg'ing for 40+ years. Maybe its not an issue in todays mfg'ing. The tire pressure issue was based on input from some; the higher psi for towing was to enhance the firmness of the sidewall, reducing the sway or tracking tendencies of towing. The 8 psi increase is still well within the tires max psi rating. Agree that i should rely on the truck design. Will take your advice and..."Just hit the road and have fun".

Icecreman · June 23, 2016

Texas Edition, crew cab, 6.2l, 4X4, 8 Speed with Max Tow Pkg. Pulling a TT est at 6500-6800Lbs. Moderate load in truck bed. Towed from Upstate of South Carolina to the coast of Georgia just above Jacksonville, FL. 350 miles each way some and side trips, so I probably put on 1000 plus miles total...700 miles towing. Some Interstate miles, but mostly secondary roads through SC and GA. 8 speed was smooth, engine didn't work hard. Trans temp never went over 196F even in near 100F outside temps. Very pleased. Heading west later in the summer for a 4-6week, eat. 6000 mile cross country trip towing. A couple of questions for those that can share their experience or opinion

still 70% oil life remaining...should i change the oil before the trip?

I ran my GY tires at 40PSI, not max, but 8 psi higher than spec'd for the tires.

Looking forward to any feedback and really looking forward to the trip!

Thanks

I wouldn't worry about the oil.

When towing a heavy trailer you should inflate your rear tires to the maximum PSI rating on the tire. I keep the fronts 5 PSI below the max for better contact when steering. This helps stiffen the tire and reduce trailer sway. If you don't increase the pressure in the tires and your trailer begins to sway the reduced air pressure will allow them to move side to side making the sway worse. I know this from experience and it's not fun. As long as you stay within the ratings of the tire you'll be fine. You can wear the center of the tread faster but with that kind of weight on the truck you're wearing the tire faster no matter what the inflation level. Of course when you're not towing air down the tires to the recommended rating for the truck. You're trailer tires should also be at max PSI to reduce sway (usually 65 PSI on that size travel trailer). You can check out any RV forum to confirm this. When I had my Duramax (E rated tires) I would inflate the rear to 80 PSI (Max) and the front to 75 PSI. Doing this will not damage your tires and is safer on the road.

I've towed trailers for the over a decade ranging from 8000 lbs to 12000 lbs and it's always a better experience when you're set up correctly from the beginning. Also, make sure you have a good weight distribution / anti-sway hitch.

Enjoy your trip! Sounds like it'll be a blast.

Donstar · June 23, 2016

It appears that you are getting some good feedback. I will add that you should change your oil if it will make you feel more at ease. There are some lengthy discussions on this forum as to when you should have your first oil-change. Some people are very passionate about the first service being performed before 1,000 miles to others who go strictly by the oil-life monitor. I prefer earlier than later so I don't worry about gremlins floating around in my engine!

gmckenzie · June 23, 2016

I changed my oil at around 1,500 km. Might not be needed but I did it anyway.

For towing, I take my tires to near the max pressure on the sidewall. 45 ish up front and 50 ish in the rear. Might be excessive and I might just back it off 5 pounds each but 40 sounds reasonable. I'm also towing ~8,000 loaded.

Trailer tire @ 65. I also don't go over ~60 mph when towing. Trailer tires are usually rated for 65 mph.

A good hitch makes all the difference. Not a fan of what dealers throw in with a trailer and upgraded to a 4 point Equalizer

SouthpawHD · June 23, 2016

I will have about 50% oil life left when I leave for a 4,000 mile trip out west next month. I will be changing my oil before I leave because most the driving will be towing, lots of mountain driving, and anticipated hot temps. I could wait, but under those conditions, I really want fresh oil.