Towing With Hypertech Max Energy

C & A s Dad · July 6, 2008

I will begin by admiting that a good custom tune would have likely done better than what I am about to describe. Maybe this confession will keep me from getting beat up too bad becuase I did not choose a custom tune.

I have had the Max Energy installed about a month to 6 weeks and my avg fuel mileage has increased from 18.4 to 21.25. This is only on 4 fill ups with only a couple hundred miles on each since my Wife has been pretty close to home the past few weeks.

I bought the unit to see if it would help in towing my 6500 lb camper and I had it hitched up this weekend for the first time. Let me start by saying I cannot see it helped the MPG while towing much at all. I got the same 10.5 MPG that I have been getting.

However, it absolutely helped the truck in towing the camper. I made the same trip that I have made at least 10 times with the same Yuk XL and the same camper. I could tell nothing when just pulling off because my truck with the 4.10 gears has never had an issue with getting the camper rolling. Where it helped is when I was running 50 to 55 (2200 to 2450 RPMs in 3rd) and I approached a hill. I used to either soft pedal it and loose speed or have to increase the throttle to maintain my speed. This trip was completely different. It maintained it's speed on the hills with no additional throttle. In fact, with just a little extra throttle on a hill, it would begin increasing speed. It has never done this except on a very slight incline. I was very pleased with the difference and it was very noticable with the first good hill I came to.

I am sure there are other tunes out there that would offer more, but for anyone wanting more grunt in the 2000 to 3000 range, I can highly recommend the Max Energy.

pwall · July 7, 2008

Good to hear! Nothing like some type of 'tune' to wake up the truck.

alaska511 · July 7, 2008

Very cool, Trey! I have been playing around with different combinations as well, trying to see what is best for mileage/power while towing my 6500 lbs.

The prior trip, I went 500 miles with the stock PCM/TCM...that won't happen again! I averaged 8 mpg, 200* trans temps, and suffered in the mountains.

This time I filled up with Premium for the first time ever, ran with the Nelson modules, and pulled/hauled more than ever before and averaged 10.5 mpg. I was very pleased.

All of my camping is in the mountains.

I am glad you are happy with your Hypertech, that is great!

dietz4ibanez · July 7, 2008

Good to hear! Nothing like some type of 'tune' to wake up the truck.

Hey Patick, have you looked into getting a tuner for that thing? I was think about one for my truck but I think that it would have to be a Hypertech... Do you know if this void the warranty??

pwall · July 7, 2008

No....not sure if I will for a while. I'll be looking into it, but will have to ensure I don't affect the warrenty.

C & A s Dad · July 7, 2008

This post is living proof that you cannot have too much HP or TQ. I am not sure but doesn't Patrick's new truck have over 500 ft lbs of TQ and 360+ HP?

Just like Tim the Tool Man Taylor, we are always looking for ways to improve something

Alaska, my first trip to the mountains will be the Smokeys and will likely be next year in the Gatlinburg area. I am not sure how these mountains compare to where you are. I think I have my truck ready to handle it with the larger trans cooler and the high capacity alum diff cover. We will see when the day comes. I am happy I finally made the move to the HyperTech. I am sure it will be even more beneficial when I get into some mountains as compared to the hills around here.

pwall · July 7, 2008

This post is living proof that you cannot have too much HP or TQ. I am not sure but doesn't Patrick's new truck have over 500 ft lbs of TQ and 360+ HP?

Just like Tim the Tool Man Taylor, we are always looking for ways to improve something

Alaska, my first trip to the mountains will be the Smokeys and will likely be next year in the Gatlinburg area. I am not sure how these mountains compare to where you are. I think I have my truck ready to handle it with the larger trans cooler and the high capacity alum diff cover. We will see when the day comes. I am happy I finally made the move to the HyperTech. I am sure it will be even more beneficial when I get into some mountains as compared to the hills around here.

395HP, 650lbft of torque....but I'm not counting or anything. ;)