help.06 1500 4x4 with 4.8 cant pull a trailer?

[livharder]

i have a 2006 silverado 4x4 with the 4.8 and yesterday i bought an continenental cargo enclosed trailer, 7 x 14 vnose and the truck cant pull it past 50 mph or 90 kmh without screeming to 3000 rpm's, no way i can put it on cruise control it just goes crazy,i do alot of hyway mileage, and the worst part is that the trailer is completely empty, i'm planning to pull around 2000 pounds contents, when buying the truck the salesman told me no trouble pulling this kind of trailer, i am realy pissed by this and i need a way to make this truck more powerfull or i will have to sell the trailer at a major loss,please help,thank you

[redvett]

Were you in the tow/haul mode? 3000rpm's is only half engine speed. Red line is about 6000 rpms. Sounds like truck is working just fine.

[livharder]

Were you in the tow/haul mode? 3000rpm's is only half engine speed. Red line is about 6000 rpms. Sounds like truck is working just fine.

 

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i tried tow mode and no difference on the hyway,i had a 2002 5.3 4x4 and

and it could pull much more without downshifting all the time at 70 mph.

[I-H8-4Ds]

If you look at the torque and horsepower curves of this engine (sorry, I would post them if I could find them), you will see that the 4.8 does not have very much torque at the lower RPMs. In fact, it's torque peak is about the same as horsepower, up around 4,000 to 4,800 RPMs.

 

I would guess that you also have the 3.42 axle. That means forget about using overdrive with your trailer. Running it at 3,000 RPMs will not hurt it. I have an 05 4x2 with the 4.8 and a 3.23 axle. It tows a 3,000 lb. trailer well but again not in overdrive. This engine, in my opinion, seems better suited to a Camaro then a truck. It makes great power if you rev it.

 

They should have sold you a 5.3 or a 6.0 if you tow often.

[CapitalTruck]

I towed a 5500 pound boat with no major problems. I limited my top speed to 55, dropped it into third (overdrive is a big no no) and put it in tow haul mode. It should work for you, however, you better be sure there is a tranny cooler in it.

[redvett]

Here are the spec's for the 4.8 L & 5.3 L

 

 

4.8 L

Horsepower: 285 hp (213 kw) @ 5600 rpm

Torque: 295 lb-ft (220 Nm) @ 4000

5.3L

Horsepower: 295 hp @ 5200 rpm

Torque: 330 lb-ft @ 4000 rpm

To get the power you have to stay in the power band. It looks like probably 3400 rpm's to 4200rpm's would be best.

[livharder]

all this will help of course,thank you,but i bought this trailer to drive down to florida twice a winter (from montreal canada) and also for other big trips, i'm not sure i will be willing to hear the motor rev to 3000 rpm's for 24hours, like you said i guess this truck is low on torque. do you think a superchip and kn air filter could help with bottom end torque.thanks

[livharder]

Here are the spec's for the 4.8 L & 5.3 L

 

 

                    4.8 L

Horsepower:  285 hp (213 kw) @ 5600 rpm 

Torque:  295 lb-ft (220 Nm) @ 4000

                    5.3L

Horsepower: 295 hp @ 5200 rpm

Torque:  330 lb-ft @ 4000 rpm

To get the power you have to stay in the power band. It looks like probably 3400 rpm's to 4200rpm's would be best.

 

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are you guys realy driving your trucks on the hyway between 3000 and 4000rpms, i'm sure also that it wont harm the truck at all but it seems realy high and unconfortable, from my experience (owned 6 gmc trucks and a few enclosed trailers)a small trailer should be towed with a v8 at normal revs with occasional downshifts.

[rjirvine]

Would putting 245 tires on it help? (assuming you might have 265's)

[pm26]

Would putting 245 tires on it help? (assuming you might have 265's)

 

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Going to smaller tires will definitely help. It will increase the torque at the rear wheels by about 5%.

[pm26]

About towing in 3rd instead of overdrive:

 

When I have my truck in the tow mode, it will not shift into overdrive until I hit about 70 MPH. so if you go slower than 70 MPH while towing, you will stay in 3rd gear.

 

I am surprised that a 4.8 liter V8 would have so much trouble with a 7X14 trailer. It is not the trailer weight, but the frontal area and corresponding air resistance that places substantial load on the truck. That is why towing low profile trailers of the same weight is so much easier.

 

 

Another advice for towing: use premium fuel and you will get much better results. These trucks tow much stronger with premium because the ignition timing is advanced much more without causing an engine knock.

[frdfandc]

Here is the fix for all your concerns.....

 

 

[Schmids5.3l]

Hah, that would help.

 

Thats what I love about my old Ford, peak torque at 1600rpms. No horsepower, but its a d**n stump puller.

[ktosv]

Changing your tire size would help, what about an axle swap? Going to a 3.73 would help, 4.10's would be even better. Could be pricey with a 4x4.

 

I am surprised that you are having the difficulties you are with your trailer. I tow a 24' travel trailer with my burb that has 3.42's and it does just fine. I do all of my towing in Tow/Haul in third, not overdrive.

[sc4808]

3:73's would help, but you should not be having any trouble with that little trailer and low weight. I pull over 8000lbs with my 4.3L v6 at 70 MPH all the time and for thousands of miles. You should not be having a problem.