Haven't done any serious towing before and this will be the most Ive pulled with my truck. Trans cooler will go on before among some other things. Ill be towing a 67 camaro on an open trailer. Looking for opinions on what brake controller to get (dont tow often, dont wanna spend alot). Also curious if I should look into helper bags at all. Im pretty much stock height now, but might be going down 2" by the time I pull this thing. Lastly, what mode do I should I be in when towing? I have a blackbear tune with 20% TM and 0% TM in tow/haul, so Im assuming I want to actually leave it off when towing?

Thanks for the info

 

I can't remember if you got the turbo installed yet. And what converter are you running?

If you're in the hills, put the trans in 3rd. If your on flat ground and holding steady speed then 4th is okay. Make sure your tune will lock the converter in 3rd or you'll heat up the fluid really badly.

I have a DrawTite Activator II in both of my trucks. Simple to install, simple to use, and wasn't expensive. Can control single, double, or triple axle trailer brakes.

 

No turbo untill after this trip, stock converter. Should have cooler, servos and shift kit done by then. I dont think the TC locks in 3rd with my truck. I would have to have justin tell me/change it.

Stay out of tow/haul since there is 0% TM right?

 

If you're still on the stock converter, then hopefully it still locks in 3rd. You need to find out before your trip. Running with the converter locked helps cool the trans. If you're towing in 3rd and the converter doesn't lock, you will overheat the transmission.

I wouldn't recommend towing with 0 TM.

 

Without access to the tune file, can I test in 3rd, the same way someone would test in 4th when testing the converter? Get up to speed and hit the brake while on the gas and see if it unlocks or not.

 

Yes. You can also moniter the TCC lockup with just about any scantool. Even HPT or EFI.

 

Well I'll have to check with Justin. But I tried driving in 3rd today @ 50mph, hit the brake, and noticed no change in rpm.

 

Wire a switch up and hook it to the TCC..

Thats my cheap fix for the 80E unlocking when you lift off the gas..

And i can manually lock it up in 2nd if im pulling something heavy around town Temps stay really cool ~140*, if i unlock it and playing around it will go 180 easy with very low MPH.

Its gonna throw a code and not lock the converter up after you do that till you get the code turned off tho. so beware. I turned that code off and it works great

dont try locking it up in 1st gear tho... dont ask me why or how i know.

 

For a brake controller I would go with the least expencive one you can find. Analog is going to be cheaper and will work just fine. Sounds like you have some time so ebay is your friend on trailer brake controllers. You can spend the same 50ish and get a nicer controller that you would spend at your local shop, or you can get a base controller and save $10-$20. I have asked a lot of people and unless they haul differant trailers for a living they all say that a low end controller is plenty. It might not give you perfect balance but it helps slow the load just as it should and they all seem to last forever!

Helper bags are always great especialy if you are going to level the rear out. But it sounds like this might be a one time deal or maybe a few times a year? $250 ish for a bag kit and if you want to do it right about $250 for a compressor and gage is a lot of money to spend if you only use it 5 times in it's life.

To be honest I preach bags, and brake controllers all the time. But if you are only going to be hauling this car on a rare occation I would save the $. The controller is cheap enough if you truck is set up for it the do it. If your truck doesn't have all the wiring and plugs I wouldn't be too worried about it.

Millions of times a year people haul trailers without bags and controllers and never have an issue. I know a guy who haulled his mud bogger(8000 lbs+) on his trailer with no brakes for years with a 2500 dodge. No bags either. I thought he was crazy but he did it for 4 years and never had a problem. I know plenty others who haul without the good stuff.

 

i cant remember if you have hydroboost or not.. but its one of the best mods.

ive pulled 12,000+ on several occasions and i dont have a brake controller