Towing Question

[01z71]

I will be towing a 16ft. utility trailer today.  It will be empty but weighs about 1700 lbs.  I have the 5.3L Auto on my 2001 Z-71 with the 3.73 Ratio.  Do I use tow/haul?  If so, should I put it in "D" or leave it in "3"?  Thanks for the help just was not sure which I should use.

[Jpshostr]

Put on that tow/haul mode, start out in OD with that load.  If the tranny starts to hunt between OD and 3, drop her back one out of OD.  You shouldn't have any trouble at all with that small load, but your tranny may get to hunting if you hit hills.

[SilveradoWV]

I have a 14' trailer that weighs 1500lbs and dont use the tow haul. I ususally run it in OD until I hit some hills then to 3.

[01z71]

I towed it with no problems.  I went with tow / haul in "D".  It only shifted out once or twice on a couple of hills.

 

This weekend I will be towing a jeep on it (Approx.3000 lbs.) Plus the trailer.  I will be towing it on the highway with hills for about 200 miles.  I'm thinking about using 3 in tow / haul.  Does that sound about right?

[MarkD]

How far are you travelling?  Interstate?  I would try the tow/haul in OD myself and see how she acts.  Once you are up to speed, I don't think the tow/haul mode changes anything.

[01z71]

MarkD -- I will be traveling about 400 miles round trip on fairly hilly interstate in TN.   I just wasn't to sure about which I should use.  When I towed just the trailer you couldn't really tell it was back there except for the occasional bump.  

[MarkD]

I agree with JP.  See how it works in OD.  If it hunts too much on slight inclines, drop to D3.  I would use the tow/haul mode regardless.  It will firm up your shifts, and raise your shift points.

 

Try to keep track of your mileage on your trip and post us, please.

[01z71]

MarkD & JP -- Thanks for the help.  I'm going to go off roading this weekend with some friends.  I'll keep track of the mileage and let you guys know as soon as I get back.

[jd hauler]

I just got back yesterday from Hershey Pa, I towed my 30ft bumper pull camper on the pa turnpike all the way out and back in 3rd with the tow haul on and it worked out well, there are some long grades on this road and it stayed at 50mph in 3rd, on the flats, it often went into torque lock, but it worked good, used a tank and a quarter of another one each way, it was 300 miles each way, I would like a tad more snot on the long grades and am considering a charger going on, any thoughts on that anybody? The camper weighs in at around 8000 lbs with gear and firewood, sad to say  though I ran into a guy who lost his allison where I was, still sounds like problems with those.