gunns
Unfortunately - Peoples Republic of California
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Just completed our first towing trip. We’re pulling with an 04 Escalade 6ltr all wheel drive with trailer package. We’re pulling a 21’, 6,100lbs. (empty) Toybox. We averaged about 9.5 miles per gallon. And that was with head winds a good portion of the time. What are people typically getting with similar rigs?
I’m interested in after market power chips and putting air bags in the rear coils. Also considering up-grading the exhaust and the possible benefits of a cold air intake system. Has anyone used these modifications? If so, what were the results? I’m looking for increased power AND gas mileage. I noticed that when the towing mode was engaged I got 2 mpg less than when it wasn’t. It didn’t let the transmission shift into overdrive. So a little more power might allow the shift to overdrive. Any info on this topic will be appreciated.
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josten367
Columbia, MO
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Joined: 08/23/2011
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I upgraded my exhaust with 2 Flowmasters and changed to Synthetic oil and I have seen 1-1.5 MPG and definitely see an increase on HP maybe 40 HP. This cost about $300 for mufflers and installation and oil change, flush and filter $80. So, it might pay off in a couple of years. I am going to upgrade to new air intake but have to save up a little money first, maybe after taxes.
2012 Palomino Puma Bunkhouse 5th Wheel 295KBH
2003 Chevy Silverado 2500HD Crew Cab 4x4 Gas with Flowmasters
B&W Companion 5th Wheel
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skipnchar
Topeka or somewhere else
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Joined: 12/17/2003
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Air bags really have no practical use for towing a travel trailer. You can accomplish the same thing (leveling out the ride while towing) with a good weight distribution system and it has the ADDED benefit of taking the load off of your receiver so it doesn't exceed the 500 lb. weight rating it probably has and preventing the UNLOADING of the front of your vehicle.
Good luck / Skip
2011 F-150 HD Ecoboost 3.5 V6. 2550 payload, 17,100 GCVWR -
2004 F-150 HD (Traded after 80,000 towing miles)
2007 Rockwood 8314SS 34' travel trailer
US Govt survey shows three out of four people make up 75% of the total population
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2112
Texas
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josten367 wrote:I upgraded my exhaust with 2 Flowmasters and changed to Synthetic oil and I have seen 1-1.5 MPG and definitely see an increase on HP maybe 40 HP.
40HP from exhaust and an oil change? Is it really 40 or should that be 4?
2011 Ford F-150 EcoBoost SuperCab, Timbrens, PullRite SuperGlide 2700 15K
2013 KZ Durango 1500 2857
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JustLabs
Washington State
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Save your money. The chances you see any towing difference from the upgrades is slim.
Probably never recoup the cost of the upgrades with increased fuel mileage either.
The 6.0 is a thirsty beast,AWD makes it worse.
2011 Chevrolet 2500HD LTZ 4x4 CCLB Duramax/Allison
2007 Keystone Cougar 289BHS Fifth Wheel.
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pbarnett85
Lemoore, CA
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9.5 MPG is pretty good for a gasser. If you use a programmer don't expect to gain MPG's while towing. More power= more fuel burned. It doesn't bother me to burn a bit more gas if I have more horses to pull the grades, but thats me.
Never really noticed a gain in fuel economy with the cold air intake. Better throttle response, yes. Cat-back exhaust might be worth it for me. I don't know how much difference it makes loaded, but unloaded on long trips i do get better mileage.
With a four speed tranny you will probably never see overdrive pulling. I can do on flat to gently rolling hills but anything past that and it drops to 5th without fail.
If the rear is sagging, re adjust your WDH. If your escalade came with air ride in the rear it might be a pain to get all adjusted properly.
When all else fails, grab a bigger hammer. IYAOYAS.
2000 Aljo 2610BH
2010 Ford F150 Supercrew Lariat 5.4, 3.73 Max Tow package
Equal-I-zer 1,000lb bars.
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gunns
Unfortunately - Peoples Republic of California
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Still interested in hearing from those that have installed one of the power chips.
What kind of gas mileage are most people getting?
My thinking is that if I do all the changes,chip, cold intake and exhaust I might see a change of a few or more MPH. I was hoping that someone had done all three modifications.
My reason for considering putting in air bags is to save the wear and tear on the rear auto air shocks. I stopped off at the Cad dealership and they, air bags, were recommended. I was told that I'd have to pull the fuse for the auto air shocks when I had the bags aired up. I just want something that is designed for heavier loads doing the work. An additional benefit is that if something happens to the air bags I have the stock system as a backup and vise versa if something was to happen the stock system.
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Camper JamesB
Wichita
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The bags for the rear of these are not good. They are 35 psi max and flimsy as heck. The airlines going to them are equivalent to aquarium tubing. If you must have them, I would reccommend having them installed and make sure they will back the warranty. The job is not that hard, but I refuse to do it again after being installed for only 1 week. I didnt have an issue with my auto-leveling, its an 04 Tahoe though.
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glamisorbust
Arizona
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Sounds like you're in the market for a full size crew cab long bed GM truck with the 8.1 gas or the duramax. You are trying to do too much with the escalade, which isn't really built for pulling the weight you are trying to pull. A 3/4 ton truck or maybe even a 1 ton truck would suit you much better. The power chip/blackbear tune will MAYBE get you 1mpg, you have to figure out if it's worth the cost to you to do that or not. Those coil springs in the rear are definitely more for a smooth ride than towing ability. I had a friend with an avalanche with the same setup in the rear and it sagged terribly with his 23' toyhauler hitched. Leaf springs are made to tow, the setup you have is just gonna cost you money. Trade the truck in or buy a bigger truck, you'll be much, much happier.
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ScottG
Bothell Wa.
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2112 wrote:josten367 wrote:I upgraded my exhaust with 2 Flowmasters and changed to Synthetic oil and I have seen 1-1.5 MPG and definitely see an increase on HP maybe 40 HP.
40HP from exhaust and an oil change? Is it really 40 or should that be 4?
X2. No possible way to get 40 HP out of an exhaust and the syn oil has been shown to add at the most 2-3 HP.
Scott, Grace and Wesly
2003 Dodge 3500 4x4, 6 speed Cummins (lightly bombed),
2004 Forest River 25RKS many, many mods.
H0NDA eu2000i
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