Performance Mods For Towing

ace ventura · June 16, 2008

I've been getting confused about peformance mods for my 05. I have a never installed volant cai that I've read can actually decrease hp so now I'm thinking about leaving that mod out. Then you get to exhaust and I've heard it decreases low end torque. I tow a camper just want to give it some additional power when towing. I know I could change gears so that's on the table but looking for some less expensive mods first. Any ideas?

slimjim2525 · June 16, 2008

A custom tune would surely help.

C & A s Dad · June 17, 2008

I tow a 6500 lb camper with an 02 Yuk XL 1500 with 4.10 gears. I have added a TrueFlow CAI, a high capacity finned alum rear diff cover, a much larger stacked plate aux trans cooler, Air Lift Air Bags and a Hyper Tech Max Energy Hand Held Tuner. The tuner was just added and I have not towed with it yet. Be careful if you get a tune being custom or hand held. You are not looking for increased HP and TQ at 5500 RPMs. You want it to come in down low and hold through the mid range. That is one of the reasons I chose the Max Energy.

I researched the exhaust for quite some time and decided most of them reduced low end tq and would likely sound "too good" for my wife since this is her daily driver.

I would say out of all of the mods, the Air Bags helped the most with the towing.

thecraft · June 17, 2008

I didn't replace my entire exhaust but I did replace my muffler with a straight-through Dynomax Bullet. I definitely did not lose any low-end, if anything, I gained some.

nbscanuck · June 17, 2008

I aree with C&A, airbags helped alot. Also a tranny cooler if you don't already have one.

I have an AEM intake and a Diablo programmer. They have all help some, but for a secure feeling when towing, air bags.

95Sierra2500 · June 17, 2008

If you're looking for an improvement in low to mid range torque, nothing will beat gears and a camshaft.

L29er · June 17, 2008

A custom tune would surely help.

Nuff said

ace ventura · June 21, 2008

so if I went with a custom tune as far as towing what would I want?

C & A s Dad · June 21, 2008

Just make sure they know you are looking for low to mid range increases for towing and not all out HP that will come in at 6,000 rpms. I am sure any good tuner will ask all of the right questions.