2016 towing question

Brian2015 · July 17, 2020

I'll be towing this 1988 Maxum 19.5' boat (weighs about 1700#) about 300 miles, mostly all highway (rt 322 from Harrisburg PA, across I-80 to Sandy Lake Mercer County). My question is, do I need to run in tow/haul mode and keep the cruising speed down? My 2016 is a 6 speed, 3.42 axle, 5.3. Most of the drive will be across I-80. I've never towed anything more than a small landscaping trailer with a pushmower and riding mower.

I plan on monitoring the trans temp along the way.

btj_z71 · July 17, 2020

28 minutes ago, Brian2015 said:

I'll be towing this 1988 Maxum 19.5' boat (weighs about 1700#) about 300 miles, mostly all highway (rt 322 from Harrisburg PA, across I-80 to Sandy Lake Mercer County). My question is, do I need to run in tow/haul mode and keep the cruising speed down? My 2016 is a 6 speed, 3.42 axle, 5.3. Most of the drive will be across I-80. I've never towed anything more than a small landscaping trailer with a pushmower and riding mower.

I plan on monitoring the trans temp along the way.

It'll help more when you in the city, and in stop-n-go traffic situations. On the highway, not really needed. Either way, on or off, your truck will do just fine. You are well under the tow limit, and your transmission will not have any issues. Sire, its going to run little warmer than normal, but its not going to hurt anything.

Bottom line is, no worries. Enjoy the trip!

durandetto · July 17, 2020

I tow a pop-up that weighs over 2000 pounds. I run tow/haul pretty much all the time trailer or not(just like the way it shifts). I went about 200 miles with it for the fourth and I was averaging 80-85. The temps were in the 90s and I had zero issues and my trans fluid stayed under 200. Tow/ haul will help with slowing down, especially in the mountains. I have pretty much the same truck except mine has a tune. E85 is nice for the extra power, but it's hard to find in rural areas plus the mpgs really suck especially when towing. Averaged 11 on the way up with e85 and around 15 on the way home with 93.

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Brian2015 · July 17, 2020

10 minutes ago, durandetto said:

I tow a pop-up that weighs over 2000 pounds. I run tow/haul pretty much all the time trailer or not(just like the way it shifts). I went about 200 miles with it for the fourth and I was averaging 80-85. The temps were in the 90s and I had zero issues and my trans fluid stayed under 200. Tow/ haul will help with slowing down, especially in the mountains. I have pretty much the same truck except mine has a tune. E85 is nice for the extra power, but it's hard to find in rural areas plus the mpgs really suck especially when towing. Averaged 11 on the way up with e85 and around 15 on the way home with 93.

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Tbanks for the feedback. I'll most likely be running 70-75mph. Have a full tank of 93 octane with 2 cans of seafom in the tank (I do this periodically to clean the injectors). I'm at 49k miles and will have the transmission fluid changed next week. Diffs and transfer case I'll do myself. Guess I'll run in tow mode to be safe. Does the trans shift into OD with tow mode on?

Brian2015 · July 17, 2020

20 minutes ago, btj_z71 said:

It'll help more when you in the city, and in stop-n-go traffic situations. On the highway, not really needed. Either way, on or off, your truck will do just fine. You are well under the tow limit, and your transmission will not have any issues. Sire, its going to run little warmer than normal, but its not going to hurt anything.

Bottom line is, no worries. Enjoy the trip!

Thank you for the feedback. I'll see how it goes on the highway without tow mode.

durandetto · July 17, 2020

Yes just at a different rpm/ load. You tend to stay in the power range more in tow/ haul and downshifts are quicker. It's an overall better driving experience, especially if you're an aggressive driver like myself. Trans temps vary truck to truck so you could see temps over 200 especially if it's hot and you're running steep grades. I think my truck has only briefly ever went over 200. It usually runs in the mid 190s when towing.

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durandetto · July 17, 2020

Thank you for the feedback. I'll see how it goes on the highway without tow mode.

Also look into BG 44k for the in tank cleaner it's a little more expensive, but does a great job. Probably less expensive than 2 cans of seafoam though. A Lew tune would do wonders as well if you're gonna be towing a lot. It's a night and day difference. You'll think you're driving a different truck.

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flyingfool · July 17, 2020

1300lbs, haha, thats nothing.. no need for tow haul here... but a trans stat delete would be smarter and run in 5th gear, keep it under 60mph

you dont want to engage the torque converter clutches for lock up, it will cause issue while towing possibly tranny rebuild time

Edited July 17, 2020 by flyingfool

Brian2015 · July 27, 2020

I ended up running in TOW mode in city and towns and drive on the highway. I monitored transmission temps, they ranged from 190'F - 196'F. I averaged 16.8 MPG towing 70-75 MPH with a few 80MPH jaunts when passing or on hill descents. Could definitely feel the boat back there but wasn't a big deal. Tow mode helped get it moving on the hills and the grade braking going over 7 Mountains helped as well. Just hit 50K miles so I'm going to have the transmission fluid changed. I plan to do the transfer case and differentials myself.