Camping Trip ( Towing Experience)

bigtopher · July 19, 2009

Well I took a camping trip on 7/11/09-7/15/09. The drive was pretty hilly with quite a few steep climbs. The truck pulled a 5500 lb brick pretty well. I averaged 10 mpg which I have to say is not to bad. The trip was about 700 miles round trip. I have to admit I would have like a bit more power for those steep climbs but other than that I was satisfied. How much would a tune actually help with towing?

music · July 19, 2009

A little more info about your truck would help folks give an opinion. Engine, axle ratio, etc.

Also, is the 5500 the "fully loaded" weight? I ask, because I'm pulling a ~7k lbs (loaded) camper plus a full family, and the gross combined weight (actually weighed) is close to 13k lbs. I manually drop to 2nd gear when starting up steep, long climbs, running 3500 rpm @ 55 mph pretty easily. There's no chance of doing the same in 3rd @ 2500 rpm, and a tune couldn't make up that much lost power. What it may do, however, is allow running in 3rd for hills where 3rd is close, but not quite enough? I'm curious myself.

bigtopher · July 19, 2009

I have the 5.3, 4 speed with 4.10's. Its probably closer to 6000 lbs fully loaded the more I think about it. I had it in 3rd with tow/haul on the entire trip. I was running about 2800-3000 rpms most of the time. On some of the hills it would jump to 4000 or more.

music · July 19, 2009

I have the 5.3, 4 speed with 4.10's. Its probably closer to 6000 lbs fully loaded the more I think about it. I had it in 3rd with tow/haul on the entire trip. I was running about 2800-3000 rpms most of the time. On some of the hills it would jump to 4000 or more.

It will do that, and a tune may well give you just enough to do what you need and not need 2nd on some of those hills (especially with 4.10 gears). I've learned what grade will need 2nd, and adjust the speed down (if needed) beforehand and usually drop the gear down manually for a smooth transition. They're not diesels, and it's not good to I lug them, so I'd rather run higher rpm for the steeper climbs and avoid the nerve shake that comes when the truck automatically tries to maintain 60+ and "jumps fast and furious" to 4k+ rpm on its own.

CptMorgan · July 19, 2009

thats interesting. In the near future a buddy of mine and I are going to pick up his old car thats been in storage for awhile, 91 toyota supra turbo. Its been broke down but he said he wants to get it to about 450hp or so as a project car. Total weight with car and trailer is approx. 5500 lbs. most of the trip will be flat, so i'll be interested to see what what kind of power im going to be using and see if i really want that tune.

96chevy7.4L · July 19, 2009

Not trying to offend anyone but asking a half ton truck to pull 5500-6000 thru the mountains is a tough one. Like asking a boy to do a mans job. Sure they will do it but they are working awfully hard to do so. My advice go to a 3/4 ton and make the truck work less. A tune might help quite a bit yes for power. But I would consider a bigger transmission cooler from B&M or going to a deep transmission pan with increased capacity. Helping the automatic transmission out now will save quite a bit later. A B&M super cooler with a 20,000GVW rating would be plenty. As for transmission pan look at a derale cooling tube pan. They work wonders. Just my .02 cents

music · July 19, 2009

Not trying to offend anyone but asking a half ton truck to pull 5500-6000 thru the mountains is a tough one. Like asking a boy to do a mans job. Sure they will do it but they are working awfully hard to do so. My advice go to a 3/4 ton and make the truck work less. A tune might help quite a bit yes for power. But I would consider a bigger transmission cooler from B&M or going to a deep transmission pan with increased capacity. Helping the automatic transmission out now will save quite a bit later. A B&M super cooler with a 20,000GVW rating would be plenty. As for transmission pan look at a derale cooling tube pan. They work wonders. Just my .02 cents

No offense taken, but I disagree with the notion that a 3/4 ton is going to do that much better pulling in this weight range, unless you step up to the Duramax. For a 5k to 7k lb load, the Duramax is overkill unless you're pulling all the time, and the 6.0 only brings an extra 10% torque/hp--which is eaten up by the extra weight of the truck. For stability and payload, I definitely agree that a 3/4-ton brings a lot to the table, but the newer WD hitches do wonders for sway control. I know I've been impressed. At the weight I pull (~7k), the transmission has never gotten hot (yet), but the key is pulling steeper grades in 2nd and sticking with 3rd otherwise. On the 6-spds, 3rd/4th should be about right.

AgDoctor · July 19, 2009

I pull a 4000 pond trailer with mine alot and it is tough sometimes on steep hills but while flat it maintains itself very well. The edge makes it easier I think.

nbscanuck · July 19, 2009

5.3l, 4.10 gear, AEM intake, DiabloSport tuner, just over 6000lb load as pictured, NO trouble pulling in the mountains. Just have to remember its not a race.

96chevy7.4L · July 19, 2009

Well with the 3/4 ton you get a lil bit heavier duty transmission. 4L80E instead of the 4LE65 or 6LE80. Not sure on the 1/2 ton but I know with the 3/4 you get power sterring coolers, larger differential in the rear and prob a lil bit bigger transmission cooler from the factory. You mentioned your trans doesn't get hot. Thats great but I would still get a bigger cooler for it. That transmission can't run cool enough in my opinion. The cooler the happier it will be. The truck is just a lil heavier duty all arond. The 1/2 ton will pull it never said it wouldn't but a 3/4 ton will pull it easier and get through the mountains you speak of with less strain.

music · July 20, 2009

Well with the 3/4 ton you get a lil bit heavier duty transmission. 4L80E instead of the 4LE65 or 6LE80. Not sure on the 1/2 ton but I know with the 3/4 you get power sterring coolers, larger differential in the rear and prob a lil bit bigger transmission cooler from the factory. You mentioned your trans doesn't get hot. Thats great but I would still get a bigger cooler for it. That transmission can't run cool enough in my opinion. The cooler the happier it will be. The truck is just a lil heavier duty all arond. The 1/2 ton will pull it never said it wouldn't but a 3/4 ton will pull it easier and get through the mountains you speak of with less strain.

I appreciate the feedback, and agree with the benefits that come with the HD trucks. The issue for many of us is that we don't tow very often. Personally, I only tow a few times per year, and mostly local. For that amount, and this weight range, the 1500 does well. If I towed a lot, or towed heavier, then I'd pay the difference and get the 3/4-ton and take the lesser mpg when not towing.

96chevy7.4L · July 20, 2009

Well being that you don't tow that much or that often the 1/2 ton would be okay. Me I do alot of pulling and I want the bigger truck. More truck to do the job means the truck doesn't work as hard. Hence my 1 ton crew cab 7.4L vortec, 4.10 rear gear has pulling written all over it. HAHAHAHAHAH

bigtopher · July 20, 2009

Thanks for the opinons everyone. I plan on getting a bigger tranny cooler cause it did get quite hot on some of the hills.

BurroWDMS · July 20, 2009

My truck with a tune (Nelson Performance) freakin' ROCKS when towing. I towed quite a bit before the tune with the truck, and after the tune, it helped a lot. I don't get much hills, but when I do, it pulls a lot stronger in 3rd than it used to. Seems to not struggle as much. It's very clean, smooth power, if that makes any sense. No hesitations, no struggling.

You'll also find that with a tune, your trans will shift A LOT firmer and quicker, and that will definitely help keep the heat down. The longer the trans takes to shift, the more heat it's producing as everything slips and grips.

My truck is a 5.3L with 3.73 gears, towing a 18' open car hauler with a '92 Camaro sitting on it. But I'm like you, I don't tow every weekend. I (try to) go to about 7 or 8 track events a year, and that's about the extent of my towing.

Best advice is a good trans cooler, and to keep your fluids fresh (oil, power steering, differential, brakes). I'm still using the factory tow package cooler, but I'll be upgrading pretty soon once I get moved in to my new place. Buy a temp gun at Homey the Depot (usually in the A/C section) and when you stop for gas/food/bathroom, shoot temps on the rear diff, hubs, etc and make sure nothing is cooking. Best defense is a good offense

There's lot of opinions on tunes, do some research on the board. It's not just great for towing, it's great around town too. Just gotta suck up the higher gas price if you tune it for premium.

music · July 20, 2009

Thanks for the opinons everyone. I plan on getting a bigger tranny cooler cause it did get quite hot on some of the hills.

A larger fluid cooler can help when towing in hot conditions (especially in the mountains), but isn't ideal for unloaded driving in cold temps. Just a thought to consider when "optimizing" your setup...