Towing stability

Two factors come into play. The rules of social, as well as the opposite, privacy, have changed when online forums were born.

In the beginning everyone would sign their post like a letter and enthusiasm was overboard. When forum users discovered they could reinvent themselves into anyone they wanted to, like a Cosplay character, it kind of turned into Lord of the Flys Pt II.

The questions asked really are what sets the stage around here. How they’re answered is what makes it enjoyable. What’s in between or off topic seasons or personalizes a particular forum.

Too much of any one spice or cowbell repels noobs. I don’t think that’s the case here. It’s just schnizzle that happens and normally doesn’t get noticed.

It happens on all forums and it can lead to senior member burnout. Some first time visitors don't know how to search.

In some other vehicle forums, I've begun to respond with "here's the link:". I dread answering the "the five most asked questions" over and over and over. Other times, I have compassion for the visitor and answer it, but I now try to include a link so that maybe six other members don't have to respond too.

Sometimes I wonder if the visitor/noob questions are an AI database seeing what the information provided will be.

Forums like this one where everybody respectfully participates are the best.

My very first post on here was thanking someone who posted a fix for my iPhone connected to my truck in 2019. I don't have a ton of posts but I am reading a lot of the discussion to store it away in my brain for the day I may need it. So thank you guys for chiming in when you do!

Geotrash said:

I'm becoming more hesitant to respond to first-time posters. It seems that more often than ever, they come and ask a question that we diligently answer, and then never return. I only responded this time because the topic was interesting to me personally. Hopefully they come back.

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So I’m a first timer who’s been hesitant to jump in with a question after reading lots and lots of posts because you regulars have so much knowledge and get so technical it’s just difficult to keep up ! Now, THIS post I can relate to. My new to me 2015 Yukon Denali 4WD, 90K mile with the factory tow package will be towing a 5200 lb camper. My mechanic said to add a bigger , better transmission cooler, scoffing at the GMC original one. Does anyone feel this is necessary? I live in the southeast and will rarely tow out west. Also do you all add a transmission tune up kit? I’ve already had the fluid changed . This forum has such great information you are all greatly appreciated for contributing.

Tonysga said:

So I’m a first timer who’s been hesitant to jump in with a question after reading lots and lots of posts because you regulars have so much knowledge and get so technical it’s just difficult to keep up ! Now, THIS post I can relate to. My new to me 2015 Yukon Denali 4WD, 90K mile with the factory tow package will be towing a 5200 lb camper. My mechanic said to add a bigger , better transmission cooler, scoffing at the GMC original one. Does anyone feel this is necessary? I live in the southeast and will rarely tow out west. Also do you all add a transmission tune up kit? I’ve already had the fluid changed . This forum has such great information you are all greatly appreciated for contributing.

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I disagree with your mechanic. The factory cooler on these is plenty adequate. I’ve been round and round on this topic and there is a ton of bad information out there. GM likes to see 150°F as the minimum operating temperature for a modern transmission. Lots of guys, including me, installed Trucool 40K coolers and can’t even approach that for most of the year. Here’s some more info for perspective:

In the February 2011 issue of Trailer Life magazine RV Clinic in response to a reader about the maximum transmission temperature allowed in a 2009 Chevy Silverado, the Tech Team had this response.

“General Motors’ in-house towing team expert provided RV Clinic with this statement: The maximum allowable automatic transmission fluid temperature is dictated by the transmission oil itself. The oil begins to degrade significantly above 270 degrees Fahrenheit, so we design vehicles so that in all but the most extreme conditions, the fluid temperature in the transmission sump stays below 270 degrees F.

We allow for up to 285 degrees F in extreme conditions (i.e. towing a trailer with combination loaded at GCWR in Death Valley). But for customer usage anywhere else in the country, even at GCWR, transmission sump temperature should stay well below 270 degrees F. Above this point, certain internal components, such as seals, begin to disintegrate rather quickly. Although newer synthetic fluids can withstand higher temperatures we still recommend this (270F) as a maximum temperature.”

Don’t be a stranger now…

“GM's in-house towing team expert provided RV Clinic with this statement:
The max allowable automatic transmission fluid temperature is dictated by the ATF itself.
The ATF begins to degrade significantly above 270F, so we design vehicles so that in all but the most extreme conditions, the ATF temperature in its sump stays below 270F.

We allow for up to 285 degrees F in extreme conditions (i.e. towing a trailer with combination loaded at GCWR in Death Valley). But for customer usage anywhere else in the country, even at GCWR, transmission sump temperature should stay well below 270 degrees F. Above this point, certain internal components, such as seals, begin to disintegrate rather quickly. Although newer synthetic fluids can withstand higher temperatures we still recommend 270F as a maximum temperature.”

1st: ATF in the sump is NEVER the hottest ATF in the transmission, especially under heavy duty use.
2nd: he mentions that ATF begins to degrade significantly above 270F,
meaning that any ATF in the transmission over 270F is beginning to degrade 'significantly'
3rd: he mentions that in Death Valley, GM allows for up to 285F.
4th: he then mentions that internal components, such as seals, begin to disintegrate rather quickly above 270F.

To oversimplify, I recommend keeping the ATF under 221F, anywhere in the world.
I don't see how my recommendation hurts any end user of ANY ATF.

swathdiver said:

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As for the sway, need more weight on the tongue. The tail is wagging the dog. Load up the rig like you were going on vacation and take it to your local CAT Scales. Download the app so you don't have to go inside and get the ticket unless you want to. Weigh the truck by itself and then again with the trailer with each axle sitting on the right scale, steer, drive and trailer. You want about 13-15% of the trailer's weight on the tongue or axle of your car, your hitch can handle 1100 pounds easy, your payload capacity for the truck ought to be north of 1400 pounds.

if you want to get really precise, put the trailer on the scales by itself, with the jack on the steer axle, front axle on the drive and rear axle on the trailer and take a measurement. First weigh now is $13.50 and re weigh is $4.

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Hmm, I would have thought the opposite here. Too much tongue weight will remove weight from the steering wheels, reducing steering control. Of course, not enough tongue weight will allow the trailer to "wag the dog".

The longer Suburban will experience less sway as well, but the new Tahoes are almost as long as the old Suburbans.

I agree that he needs to get it on a scale and get individual axle weights. (I was overweight on the rear axle, pulling a 3500lb dry-weight trailer. Yes, we packed too heavily, and had three passengers in the back along with all our stuff.)

www.tsbsearch.com/Chevrolet/21-NA-199

If gm went through the trouble to replace the original 19x degree thermostat in the trans with a cooler one, one would think any temp over the 194 or 195 would not be good for the transmission.

Please excuse me for asking this. I get that this is a truck forum ...
The cited TSB applies to GM trucks & SUVs with 6L80 or 6L90.
But what about cars with 6L80 or 6L90?