gear for towing (Full Version)

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gear for towing

  

nbwebb -> gear for towing (5/12/2007 4:16:11 AM)

gunna be pullin a small/light uhaul trailer about 100 miles this weekend.... i have a 94 4x4 4.3....... some people have said to lock it into 3rd gear and avoid overdrive when pulling a trailer...... let me know what you think or know

  
RCars2 -> RE: gear for towing (5/13/2007 4:08:59 PM)

Well it depends on how much weight you're pulling, the amount of grade going to and from, the shape of your engine. My general way to test is to take a test run with the trailer attached and see if the engine strains alot or if it shifts between 3rd and 4th alot. If either are present shift down to 3rd to keep your trans cool and less overworked.

Not sure which size of the small uhauls that you are getting but if the weight loaded is more than a flatbed with a comple ATV's or sleds on it then you are better off in 3rd gear.

Paddle_grl -> RE: gear for towing (5/13/2007 8:30:50 PM)

When I pulled a 6x12 u haul trailer with all my earthly possesions...(and the inside of the truck was full) two boats on the roof and a bike....almost 500 miles twice.....I honestly found my truck did really good in your normal drive gear....there were only a few situations that I down shifted.....long hills...where my truck was really struggling.....one tip is to slow down a little....if your truck is starting to lag a little....don't try and accelerate hard to compensate.....(over heats your tranny) you can feel when you need to shift to a lower gear.....just my experience....I have to say my engine did run a little hotter while towing.....

EuroGoldLS -> RE: gear for towing (5/14/2007 7:39:57 AM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: Paddle_grl
I have to say my engine did run a little hotter while towing.....


I didn't know this until recently that if you have an aftermarket exhaust system, there will be a lot less heat inside the engine compartment. It also extends the service life of the rubber hoses and stuff.

I have an aftermarket aluminum coated trans cooler also and I've pulled a 21' Carolina Skiff (probably weighs about 3000lbs.) and I had no problem in running in overdrive.  If you do a lot of pulling, high capacity trans coolers are a good thing to have.

oh, and mbwebb, 100 miles isn't very far to go to worry about it. I pull the boat about 200 miles when I'm going to the beach. I didn't have a prob with it even with the stock trans cooler

Paddle_grl -> RE: gear for towing (5/14/2007 8:26:59 PM)

yes for sure if you are doing a lot of towing..deffinately a trannie cooler....but a once or twice rental..no biggie....you truck can do it

nbwebb -> RE: gear for towing (5/15/2007 7:32:14 PM)

thanks blazer friends.... the move went smooth.... truck did well.......... love these trucks!  great for about anything i need........ now gas needs to go down to about $1.20... paid $3.29 here in central IL today.... what about you all???...

bigjsp -> RE: gear for towing (5/15/2007 7:58:01 PM)

Convertor needs to stay locked up as much as possible, more important than the gear, IMO

watch the tach

BLK85 -> RE: gear for towing (5/16/2007 12:16:32 AM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: nbwebb

what about you all???...

$3.37 for the mid grade.

lennyblazer -> RE: gear for towing (5/21/2007 8:08:29 PM)

$3.39 for regular and $3.48 for midgrade, and that was from last friday not sure if it has gone up since, trying to not drive so much.

-Lenny

chevys rule -> RE: gear for towing (6/10/2007 4:48:54 AM)

Whats this Feat I have on my truck then (tow haul) Would I still need to get in d3 or what

swartlkk -> RE: gear for towing (6/10/2007 6:18:36 AM)

Tow/Haul feature as explained by your owners manual:
quote:

The tow/haul mode is a feature that assists when pulling a heavy trailer. The purpose of the tow/haul mode is:

• Reduce the frequency of shifts when pulling a heavy trailer,

• provide the same shift feel when pulling a heavy trailer as when the vehicle is unloaded, and

• reduce the need to change throttle position when pulling a heavy trailer.

This feature is turned on or off by pressing a button on the floor console or the shift knob. When the feature is on, a light located on the instrument panel cluster will illuminate to indicate that the tow/haul mode has been selected.

See Tow/Haul Mode Light . The tow/haul mode is automatically turned off each time the vehicle is started.

The tow/haul mode is most effective when the vehicle and trailer combined weight is at least 75% of the Gross Combination Weight Rating (GCWR).

The tow/haul mode for hauling a heavy trailer is most useful under the following conditions:

• When driving through hilly terrain at speeds below 55 mph (88 km/h),

• when driving in low speed or stop and go traffic below 55 mph (88 km/h), and

• when driving in parking lots.

Operating in the tow/haul mode when not pulling a heavy trailer will not cause damage to the vehicle, but you may experience reduced fuel economy and undesirable performance from the engine and transmission. The tow/haul mode should be used only when pulling a heavy trailer

  

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