I just completed my first real test of towing with my 2008 GMC Sierra Crew 4x4 1500 5.3L 3.73 and my Tango 257BH. Completely loaded, full tank of gas, water tanks full, I went over a scale at a combined 12,500# TV and TT weight, close but under the gross combined weight rating of 13,000#. My axle weights were not even close to the maximums. I would be hard pressed to find anything else that would add to the weight. We were good and loaded. The trip was through the Rocky Mountains of western Alberta and eastern BC. There were some long, hard climbs.
The truck pulled nicely at around 2600 RPM in third gear on the flats and small inclines, and when the grades got above 5 or 6% it would drop into second and the RPMs would jump to around 4000 RPM. For the most part I could leave it in third gear on shorter inclines, but I would lose speed.
Is this normal for half ton towing? Is it OK for me to be dropping it into second at those RPMs for long climbs? Should I be trying to leave it in third for as long as possible? What, if any, long term effects will this have on my truck/tranny? My tranny temp gauge reached a max of 90 C (190 F). How hot is too hot?
I'm a bit of a newbie when it comes to mechanics so any info or advice that you can give would be greatly appreciated.
By the way, we had a great time camping and overall I didn't feel like the truck was underpowered.
That is encouraging. I just bought the same truck, but an extended cab and if you are towing a large trailer like that without problems, then I am okay. Mine is a 21 footer, and I think fully loaded up we are about 5300 pounds.
Thanks.
Bob & Ang
Shaela & Duncan
2008 GMC Sierra 1500
2006 Outback 21RS
Victoria, BC
Canada "It's all good"
you are doing just fine. I almost exactly that with much the same experience.
RPMs are the friend of a gas engine pulling weight. I too ran at about 2600 most of the time. On steeper hills, I would just put the throttle down to a bit less than "floored" and used whatever gear I needed. I saved the "floored" for that last 1/2 mile to the summit/top of the pass.
Tranny temp is not too hot for the peak of a climb. If above 210f, I would back off some...
I NEVER towed in 4th, always in third or less. And all was well...
I have a Ram 1500 quad cab 4 x 4 I haul a Jayco 29BHS, full of water, gear and my Honda Foreman in the back and haul it through the Forestry Trunk road without an issue. I have a ton of power with my 5.7 litre HEMI and I cruise around 2500 RPM on the flats and I do get up to about 4500 from time to time.
Some will say this is too hard on a 1/2 ton but she is my second and I hauled a lot more with my last Dodge and she went to 140km before I finally traded it in. No mechanical issues to speak of.
Last summer we were in Southern BC and had a steep hill of 6% for about 12kms I just locked in the cruise and let the Hemi do it's thing. I learned from that trip to let the trcuk do the work rather than me getting on and off the throttle changing gears etc.
As another 1/2 ton tower, not much to add. My RPMs are similar on long grades and I have no problem shifting into 2nd to get the job done. My engine in the Titan makes low speed torque, but the 4-cam v-8 loves to sing at high rpms! Other than awful fuel consumption at high rpms (go figure), no mechanical problems at all. (Knock on wood)
Happy camping!
-Lab
2008 Nissan Titan LE Crew 4x4, DOHC 5.6 V8 w/VVT, Big Tow Pkg.
2006 Jayco JayFlight 29FBS
Equal-i-zer 10K Hitch
Prodigy Brake Control
Member of clubtitan.org
"Hershey" the Chocolate Lab!
"I asked God for a true friend: He sent me a Labrador Retriever."
All sounds normal including 4000 rpm and 190 on the transmission. I usually let mine downshift on its own and then pull the lever to hold second gear to the top to avoid the upshift/downshift on a short flat section on the way up a hill. If 4000 seems high you can ease down 5/10 mph and glide to the top.
2001 F150 SuperCrew 5.4 Lariat Offroad 4x4 Tow Package 4.10 Truetrac
2006 Keystone Springdale 249FWBHLS
12K SuperGlide, KGE3000Ti 2.3kw rated 2.6kw max
Frank's voltage booster, Prosine 1800 powered by 4 GC2 batteries
It is great to hear from other half ton towers out there. As I went up a few of those hills and the transmission dropped into second my wife kept giving me a sideways look.
2008 GMC Sierra 1500 4x4 5.3 L / 3.73
2008 Pacific Coachworks Tango 257BH
Loaded TV and TT combined weight 12,500#
Below is a copy of a reply I just made on another thread regarding towing in OD take what applies to you and forget the rest. I didn't feel like retyping all this. 4000 rpms is just fine on a gasser, I know it sounds bad but wind her out won't hurt a thing. You have no need for any more trans cooling as your set up did great!! More info below. Sounds like you have a well matched combination there, congrats. I usually don't recommend TT heavier than 7,000-7500 for 1/2 ton trucks, not matter what the manufacturer claims. I get slammed a lot on the forums for being one of those who think everyone needs a diesel, but if you read my posts I am not like that at all, I have just towed to many loads with several different 1/2 ton trucks and know what they will really tote. Again sounds like you have a great combo, enjoy. Here is the info on towing in OD.
Quote
To the OP, please overlook the "I know better than you" attitude you find on these forums, especially the macho attitude you find in the towing section. Here is my honest advice for you, but in the end you must do what you feel comfortable with. Also remember Ford must print what will apply to the majority of their buyers and most will never bother to get a trans gauge that works. The factory trans gauge is nothing more than a glorified idiot light and should be replaced with a real gauge I prefer the Isspro brand, call ken at www.kensperformancesolutions.com tell him Kevin sent you and he will take good care of you. The above is not my opinion but fact, some searching on the net will back everything up I have stated.
Next the biggest killer of a auto trans is heat, not my opinion but again easily proved fact. Call any trans shop and ask them what is the biggest killer to a auto trans and if they have been in business for more than a week they will answer "heat" Heat comes from the tranny changing in and out of gear as this happens when the TC is unlocked and will build a lot of heat quick, this is what many referr to as "hunting". Now to your question, there is nothing wrong with towin in OD as long as your temps stay under control and the trans doesn't start hunting. Downshifting to a lower gear is perfectly normal and is not "hunting" but when it keeps upshifting and down shifting this is hunting and is what you don't want. If this happens just kicj OD off until you can shift into OD and it doesn't do this. Try and keep your tans temps under 200 degress, short climbs over 200 is fine, like when climbing a hill but I like to keep sustained temps under 200. If you are seeing sustained temps above 200 I would look for more cooling capacity. But as long as your trans isn't hunting and your sustained temos are staying below 200 degress there is absoulutley no reason not to tow in OD and enjoy the better milage. But again Ford has to print what will protect them with the majority of drivers. The educated ones will install a real temp gauge and drive their trucks accordingly. As I said you need to do what you feel is best for you. Hopefully the facts I have given you will help you reach that decision, if I can be of any further help please don't hesistated to PM me. I will help you all I can and will keep egos and the mine is better than your's out of it,
Take Care
NCH
2000 Ford F350 4X4 PSD,CC, DRW
4:10's, BTM Muffler, Isspro Gauges,
Coolant Filter,CCV Mod
FTVB , Ford AIS
6.0 Cooler,SCT2 W/DP's 40 tow & 80 econo,Zoodad mod
2005 Keystone Hornet 30BHSS
Reese Dual Cam
Family of 4 saved by Grace!!! MY TRUCK OUR TRAILER
Perfectly normal for that load. Be interesting to see what the Tango itself weighed, as I have a 2008 Tango 276 RBS. I had it fully loaded with water this past weekend and did a pretty long (11 miles) climb to a mountain campground. I calculated the grade using the distance between every 1,000 ft in elevation change, and the grade varied between 6.3% and probably closer to 8% in some sections. The truck would pull in 3rd (it is a 6 speed) at 50 MPH on the lower grades and 40 MPH in 2nd on the steep sections. I just kept my foot out of the throttle and cruised up fine. Sounds like your truck is good for the load you have.
Offline
Online
