Towing With A Tune

cmoore74 · January 7, 2008

Maybe this has been asked before, but a search (search on towing and/or tune) yields far too many topics...

I've been debating a tune for some time and I've settled on a flash device with multiple tunes so I have the ability to change them based on use of the truck (driving around town, towing my boat, in for warranty service so back to stock, etc.) such as a Superchips Flashpaq, an SCT XCalibrator 2, etc.

I noticed that for the Superchips Flashpaq they do not recommend towing over 6000 lbs even with the towing tune despite my truck being rated to tow 7100 lbs. I assume this is due to the air/fuel ratio being leaned out for performance and mileage as a heavy engine load with a lean mixture can cause damage. It seems this would be true of any tune while towing, especially if your running an all around performance tune while towing which may have an even leaner A/F ratio.

Do other tuners suggest a max tow rating below the factory specs while on thier tune? Seems they don't even mention it and you wouldn't know unless you asked. Maybe they wouldn't even know how to respond to this question.

svensk · January 7, 2008

Don't get a handheld...They really are a ripoff for what your paying compared to a mail order tune.

This is what I've done, I still use my truck to tow and haul so I had a performance tune done, yet I had the tow/haul button left alone. When I want to pull something heavy 5K+ I use the tow/haul button and the computer reverts back to the stock settings for the time it's used. You could still regularly tow even with the performance settings, but I prefer the tow/haul button settings for tranny saving converter lockout while towing. Keep the tranny from overheating.

cmoore74 · January 7, 2008

Don't get a handheld...They really are a ripoff for what your paying compared to a mail order tune.
This is what I've done, I still use my truck to tow and haul so I had a performance tune done, yet I had the tow/haul button left alone. When I want to pull something heavy 5K+ I use the tow/haul button and the computer reverts back to the stock settings for the time it's used. You could still regularly tow even with the performance settings, but I prefer the tow/haul button settings for tranny saving converter lockout while towing. Keep the tranny from overheating.

Are you sure that's what it does? My understanding was the A/F ratio tables being used are the same with tow/haul button on or off. I could be wrong.

BTW the SCT is a flash device containing mail-order tunes (3 to be exact). Wait4Me offers this.

pwall · January 7, 2008

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BTW the SCT is a flash device containing mail-order tunes (3 to be exact). Wait4Me offers this.

That's what I have from Wait4me. It's basically 3 tunes in one and I can go back to stock anytime.

I have a towing tune, however, haven't had much of a chance to try it out except for one 25mile trip and the towing tune really impressed me. I'm know more in May when I can take the trailer back out for the summer.

ace ventura · January 8, 2008

How much is the SCT? I didn't see it on the wait4me website?

pwall · January 8, 2008

I emailed Jesse regarding the SCT. Heard he sold them. Not sure if it was on the website or tno.

I don't recall the exact price, but around $300 or so. And since it's like having 3 custom tunes in one and the ability to go back to stock, it was worth it.

cmoore74 · January 8, 2008

I found several posts from people who have had both the superchips and tunes from wait4me and they all said the superchips was descent, but the wait4me tune was noticably better.

I think I'm going the SCT route with the 3 Wait4Me tunes (performance, towing, and economy). Not sure I'll ever use the economy, but you might as well get 3. I suppose I could get a max performance, but then I didn't buy my truck to race.

I will ask wait4me about the towing limit on the towing tune (i.e. is it lower than stock tow limit on the stock tune).

Patrick,

Thanks for the advice. What tunes did you ask wait4me for and have you tried all 3? Did you have them customize each tune or did you just use what they suggested? Anything you don't like about any of the tunes?

svensk · January 9, 2008

Tow/haul stock doesn't change A/F, but mine does because of the pcm tune.

pwall · January 9, 2008

I found several posts from people who have had both the superchips and tunes from wait4me and they all said the superchips was descent, but the wait4me tune was noticably better.

I think I'm going the SCT route with the 3 Wait4Me tunes (performance, towing, and economy). Not sure I'll ever use the economy, but you might as well get 3. I suppose I could get a max performance, but then I didn't buy my truck to race.

I will ask wait4me about the towing limit on the towing tune (i.e. is it lower than stock tow limit on the stock tune).

Patrick,

Thanks for the advice. What tunes did you ask wait4me for and have you tried all 3? Did you have them customize each tune or did you just use what they suggested? Anything you don't like about any of the tunes?

I went with the following tunes: max economy, towing, and max performance. So far I'm very happy with the tunes. I used the max economy on a trip to Florida in December. It worked well, but I used the performance tune on the way back. I perferred the performance. ;)

Only tried the towing tune once and only for a very short trip but I was pleased with how the truck ran with a 6000lb trailer behind it. I'll have to wait until spring to know more. Overall, I'm pleased with the SCT, and the ability to go back to stock on demand is nice when the vechicle goes in for service. They can reflash the PCM all they want, I'll still have my tunes. ;)

ridgekid · February 15, 2008

I'm not sure you have your info right about SC. They do recommend NOT towing over 6000# in performance tune. Tow tune increases HP/Torque but will not excuse you to tow over your vehicle rating.