How do y’all feel about towing 3500lbs in Drive?

[buckwild27]

I’m fully up on gear ratios and shifting

Just making sure. Every post you made mention to these things you worded them backwards. We don't want less knowledgeable people making these mistakes in the future when they come across this information.

 

[Cut Wagon]

If I made a mistake I apologize. Thanks again.

 

[Cut Wagon]

Not seeing where I worded anything wrong ‍. 3.42 is geared higher than 3.73 is it not?

 

[buckwild27]

This is the first vehicle I’ve ever had that is below 3.73. This 19 Burb. I mistakenly posted my 4.10 comment to the wrong thread. Still applies, but I screwed up the comment.

3.42 gears are higher than 3.73.

I’m doing 25mph and it’s at 2500-3500 and won’t down shift without me completely taking my foot off the throttle and even then it will stay up there.

If you down shift it would make the RPM go higher.
Please note I'm not trying to be an A-hole i just want the information to be clear for the less knowledgeable people on the internet.

 

[Cut Wagon]

I see I crossed up and down shift.

No worries man. All good.

 

[West 1]

I have an 08 Yukon Denali, towing 3500 pound trailers I leave it in normal drive mode. Sometimes based on terrain I will put it in manual and shift manually to match the hills or grades. When I tow 8,000 pounds the Tow Haul mode works well. It just does not seem tuned for light loads like your 3500 pound trailer. Maybe a better trained opinion can offer more. I do know the transmission will tune itself to your driving. Maybe if driven more in tow haul it will adjust and shift better for you? I have not been willing to leave it in Tow Haul long enough to find out. The other issue I did not like with light trailer loads is the downshifting as you slow down. I have replaced one 6L80 tranny and don't wish to do that job again. It seems too aggressive when downshifting.

My tranny guy told me: Brakes are cheap, Trannys are expensive. He said to use your brakes and protect your tranny. I think he is correct. Using the tranny to maintain a speed going downhill is 100% fine but if you are going 60 mph and want to slow to 40 mph don't just grab the gearshift and downshift from 4 to 3, the downshift is where the tranny is weak. Once in gear it is strong. So use your brakes, then downshift and all is good, tranny will hold your speed and not be damaged at all.

 

[Cut Wagon]

Thanks, I am a driver who will manually down shift and up shift, especially in mountains or hills. It’s mainly to prevent my brakes from burning up on long downhills, but I also like being in the right gear and meat of the power band. I’ll keep that in mind.

When towing, I have noticed the same downshift weirdness. Mostly when letting off throttle when coming to red light after going 55mph. I’m a light braker so I tend to coast coming in to a stop light. That is when I feel the weirdness. Under no throttle load and coasting. My Ram did something similar, but way more clunky. When towing I also notice an odd upshift going from 2nd to 3rd. It’s almost like a “boost” sensation. The truck sort of accelerates a little weirdly. ‍

I just finished removing OEM Thermal by pass valve and installing a PPE one. 10 min job. Going to go for test drive as soon as the rain stops.

 

[West 1]

Probably also the first with 10 gears to choose from also?

 

[Cut Wagon]

I have a 6spd 6L80.

 

[gtrslngrchris]

I wonder if what you don't like is the behavior while the torque converter is unlocked and then later feeling it when it engages and is no longer slipping?

 

[Cut Wagon]

Very well could be‍.

You know what, I’m going to take a video of it doing this in Tow mode. Maybe it will help. While I know some transmission/gearing basics, I’m by no means an expert. Especially on torque converters or clutches. I raced off road dirt bikes for 14 years all over the country. I changed many a clutches. Still don’t understand how they work.

 

[buckwild27]

I would definitely recommend getting a tune and adjusting the transmission so the converter only locks up in 5th and 6th gear. Your transmission will last longer. I'm near 300,000 on my original transmission.

 

[STORMCAT]

View attachment 460036I own a Lawn Care company and I tow a lot. However, it’s relatively light duty overall. Trailer is about 3500lbs and on weekends I tow a boat that weighs the same. I just bought this 2019 Suburban Z71 5.3. I don’t like the way it shifts in Tow Haul mode. Last few days I just put it Drive on L5 for around town. 55mph max. Tows better that way when driven properly. I’m pretty easy on it when towing. Pretty much speed limit all the time. Wondering if 3500lbs is too much for regular Drive on the tranny? Any opinions?

I hope to do a Blackbear style engine/trans tune in the near future.

You'll be fine. I frequently tow a larger load in Normal Drive mode with a similar vehicle. The tow mode just changes the shift profile . The transmission in your vehicle is not changing it's strength or load capabilities..

 

[the 18th letter]

I would definitely recommend getting a tune and adjusting the transmission so the converter only locks up in 5th and 6th gear. Your transmission will last longer. I'm near 300,000 on my original transmission.

That’s incredible considering everyone tells me these torque converters grenade and take out the transmissions at 125k. Need some of your luck

 

[buckwild27]

That’s incredible considering everyone tells me these torque converters grenade and take out the transmissions at 125k. Need some of your luck

My 2013 was still going strong at 160,000 (had a disagreement with a deer)I got it tuned right out the gate. Transmissions was tuned so I didn't even have to use the tow/haul button. I also towed in 6th gear. Around 9000#. And I was not gentle with that one. It spent most of it's life up to 80,000 over 100mph taking me to work at 3am. I'm a lot easier on the 2014.

 

[tagexpcom]

We tow a 5500lb camp trailer with our 2021 Yukon 6.2L / 10speed and I 'forget' to put it in tow mode sometimes - will drive 50 or 100miles in regular mode up/down mountain roads. It is a bit different shifting but the rig does not show strain and is the reason I don't notice right away.

Tow mode enables engine breaking down some of these 5-10mile mountain descents and it's nice not have this (works smoothly) to reduce breaking.