aarolar

2001 Chevy Silverado RCLB
265/75-16's
3.73 5.3
Otherwise bone stock

I am towing a Suzuki Samurai on a 16ft car hauler. Using towhaul/3rd I am pulling 2700 RPM's at 65ish miles an hour. Does this sound about right? I feel like I am killing the truck. I was planning several long trips to play in the rocks but I am rethinking after seeing how weak this thing really is. Is there anything I can do to help this thing out at all?

dlt76028

iTrader: (13)

Killing the truck LOL. Get a custom tune to change the shift points and add more timing in fourth and when the converter locks. Also look into some 4.30 or 4.56 gears, 4.30s at 65mph would only be 2077 rpm in fourth.

aarolar

I am just not used to turning high rpms towing, all my towing to this point has been with a dirty max or an 99 tool truck with the 4l80e where the tach goes to 4k tops.

Gordy M

iTrader: (2)

You should be able to tow the load in OD without any problems. That would put you at just under 2000rpms at 70.

Killtank

You should not tow in OD. Puts stress on the 4l60e and a whole lotta down shifting back to 3rd.

BADDAK

iTrader: (2)

I pull my dakota to the track all the time with my truck. Stock i had 3.42's and when towing in od it would downshift going up slight hills. After putting the 4.10's in it i just put it in tow haul set the cruise. It dosent even downshife going over overpasses anymore.

Gordy M

iTrader: (2)

I towed a 7500 lb enclosed car trailer for 5 years with a 2001 Yukon--about 33,000 miles towing--and used OD extensively, the only changes were a vette servo and billet 3-4. Sold the truck with with 92K on it and the buyer is still driving it with original trans 3 years later. If you run in mountains use third but at 65-70 on most roads I had no problems. Currently Towing with an Escalade ESV for the last 5 years and at 91K the trans is still holding up, FWIW

Bish

Trans temps take a beating when towing in OD if not flat. On my 01 Tahoe, trans temp would get over 200 REGULARLY with the torque converter locking/unlocking and all the shifting. In 3 they would never get above 180. I agree it gets kind of loud especially with the cat-back I had but the trans seemed to like it a lot more. I also typically ran 75-80 when towing a trailer.

Gordy M

iTrader: (2)

Your correct about the trans temps, mine used to go about 200-210. A friend, who worked on the powertrain for the 800 series said they tested them extensively in the 230 range without problems. He said when it got in the 260s to change fluid often. I opted for a 40,000 true cool and now tow at 150-160 deg.