Reprogramming engine and trans for towing

MrSteve · May 21, 2018

Towing on 2009 Suburban, 5.3, stock rear, after market trans and oil cooler. I bought one of the engine and trans programmers which provides several out of the box program setups. Towing, performance, default, and mileage saver. As most know, the sub has little trouble maintaining highway speed when towing a larger trailer. I have a trip coming up and plan to try the towing program setting. Anyone ever use this, does it help at highway speed and I am assuming it is different than the factory towing button used for low speed?

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KARNUT · May 21, 2018

I’m afraid you’re going to be disappointed if you expect too much out of a towing program on a NA engine. Tow haul button takes care of the transmission for towing. To get more out of the engine with a programmer usually involves timing advances and premium fuel. That can give you additional HP and more heat. Unloaded performance gains with a programmer can be had, noticeable gains for towing questionable.

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Icutmetl · May 22, 2019

On 5/21/2018 at 11:31 AM, MrSteve said:

Towing on 2009 Suburban, 5.3, stock rear, after market trans and oil cooler. I bought one of the engine and trans programmers which provides several out of the box program setups. Towing, performance, default, and mileage saver. As most know, the sub has little trouble maintaining highway speed when towing a larger trailer. I have a trip coming up and plan to try the towing program setting. Anyone ever use this, does it help at highway speed and I am assuming it is different than the factory towing button used for low speed?

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You should be using the tow/haul button whenever you’re towing, and not consider it for use only at low speed. It will adjust things like shift points, shift firmness, torque converter lock up, and other things I’m sure. Don’t get your hopes up about a tuner for a naturally aspirated gas engine. You’ve got a large vehicle with a small engine, and I’d bet gearing that isn’t very towing friendly. You should be prepared to run premium fuel with that tuner as well.