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Towing questions


C.Steele
08-18-2009, 06:47 PM
I have a 2000 Z71 4.8L with an automatic.

I have heard varying things about how best to tow with this truck. Some say put it in D and hit tow/haul going up hills only. Some say 3rd gear always and tow/haul up hills. Some say never hit tow/haul. Some say leave it on always while towing.

So first question is - what do you guys think is the best way to tow with this rig?

I have a 24' boat that weighs around 3k lb (boat and trailer). I have been staying in 3rd gear towing thus far and that puts me around 2500rpm while towing on the freeway. Everything seems fine. When I go up hills however it seems to work really hard, harder than I think it should, but the truck is new to me so I really don't know. Most times if it's a decent incline it starts lugging and kicks down into 2nd gear and wants to stay around 3500rpm to pull decently.

Second question would be - does this sound right for this rig and load?

Thanks for any input
Chris

j cAT
08-19-2009, 09:00 AM
I have a 2000 Z71 4.8L with an automatic.

I have heard varying things about how best to tow with this truck. Some say put it in D and hit tow/haul going up hills only. Some say 3rd gear always and tow/haul up hills. Some say never hit tow/haul. Some say leave it on always while towing.

So first question is - what do you guys think is the best way to tow with this rig?

I have a 24' boat that weighs around 3k lb (boat and trailer). I have been staying in 3rd gear towing thus far and that puts me around 2500rpm while towing on the freeway. Everything seems fine. When I go up hills however it seems to work really hard, harder than I think it should, but the truck is new to me so I really don't know. Most times if it's a decent incline it starts lugging and kicks down into 2nd gear and wants to stay around 3500rpm to pull decently.

Second question would be - does this sound right for this rig and load?

Thanks for any input
Chris

with the towing of a 24 ft boat plus trailer I suspect this to weigh more than 3,ooolbs.......my trailer alone weigh's 900lbs...

with boat loaded,fuel etc I would guess your at 4,ooolbs...
when I TOW and with the directions provided in the owners manual,it is required to tow loads like this in 3rd with the tow haul switch on...with the smaller the engine ,,,these operating conditions will reduce stress /transmission/engine overheating...

when towing you must replace the rear diff /transmission fluids every year to avoid damage...

also keep the speed down,,,,,don't operate at over 60mph...

jdmccright
08-21-2009, 09:12 AM
Presuming you have the heavy-duty tow package option (HD radiator, tranny fluid cooler), you should have no issues with towing your boat. Your truck is rated to tow 7,500 lbs with 3.73 axles and 8,500 lbs with 4.10s. Even fully loaded you should be well with in the truck's capabilities.

Tow/haul mode should be used, especially for heavier loads such as yours. While typically it is prescribed for "significant" loads, those that are ~65% or greater of your rated capacity, you should follow your owner's manual for maximum longevity. It helps acceleration, prevents excessive shifting in hilly terrain by raising the shift points, and improves engine braking. All this combined helps keep the tranny cooler, and cooler is better.

About the only thing I'd suggest is trailer brakes (which would necessitate a new trailer...not likely) and a tranny temp gauge. If you're really worried about temps, you could switch to a lower temperature thermostat, too.

GlenPittman
08-21-2009, 12:26 PM
I have a 2009 Silverado, with the 5.3

It is equiped with the HD Trailering Package, with the 4 spd auto trans and a 3.42 gear.

I pull a 22ft Grady White that weighs about 5200 on the trailer fueled with gear on board. I live in a area where the terrain is rolling, instead of flat. I tow in 3, instead of D, but only because the 3.42 gears aren't exactly perfect with the 20" tires trying to tow in overdrive. It would hardly stay in overdrive at all. I pull at 60 - 70mph between 2500 - 2800 rpm.

According to the manual, I am borderline on the weight of using the Tow/Haul mode. It is recommended for 75% of max trailer weigh, or when used in a lot of stop and go driving, or rolling terrain. It definitely is not required below the 75%, and according to GM, is a personal preference decision.

I monitor my trans temp when towing through the digital information panel, but I am not sure if that was available in 2007 or not. I rarely see the transmission temp over 180 - 185 degrees, and normally it is 150 - 155 without trailering, and 170 - 180 when trailering. These temps are indicative of approx 88-95 degrees outside air temp.

Bottom line, I would think pulling in D for you would be OK, with or without the Tow/Haul mode engaged. If you get a lot of shifting back and forth between 3rd and overdrive, then I would probably leave it in 3 instead of D just to save some wear on the transmission.

BTW, I get about 16 - 17 mpg normally around town, with 19 - 20 on highways, without the trailer of course. With the boat behind me, I drop to 11 - 12 mpg. Is this about what others are experiencing, or is my foot too heavy, LOL?

masapell
08-21-2009, 05:39 PM
Me personally, I always tow in 3rd. I have a 5.3l with 3.42's and that is the only way for me to get the engine in the sweet spot while pulling our pop-up camper. The camper weighs over 3,000lbs when loaded. Pulling in 3rd really makes a difference. As for the tow/haul, I don't use it all of the time because I am not towing a really heavy load. I have found that the truck pulls fine without tow/haul on, but I have used it when navigating really hilly areas at lower speeds. So, again, I think you will benifit towing in 3rd because it will put that engine where it likes to run and will give you the power to maintain speed. I am also all for trailer brakes!!! They make a world of difference!

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