Need more OOOMPH for towing

[04ctd]

got a AEM CAI, and a JBA 3 inch catback, i thought those two would make it roll out.

life in flatlands, but we hooked up the bikes on a tiny trailer, and headed to Blue Ridge Parkway for Memorial Day.

the ole Tahoe was not happy with the weight:
-wifes bike, ~500 pounds
-my bike ~750 pounds
-trailer ~700 pounds (if that)

if I left the cruise set, at ~70 it would drop from OD to drive, then down to second and wind it up to about 4500 RPM trying to hold speed.

 

[BillBlatt18]

bb tune!

 

[emann_01]

I have towed about double that weight and it pulled it just fine...

maybe some seafoam to clean up everything in the engine. if that doesnt work, try a BB tune and a rear end gear change

 

[2 E L O]

I tow my Mustang on a car hauler which is about a 5,500 lb load and the Tahoe performs great! On flat lands I can set the cruise at 65mph and it will purr along in OD and does not search for gears. If it's hilly I put it into tow-haul mode to keep it out of OD...and that's with 33's and a leveling kit.

You shouldn't have a problem with as light of a load as you've described...

 

[Zed 71]

What year Tahoe, how many miles, which transmission, wheel and tire size, and what are the final drive gear ratios on your rig?

 

[04ctd]

What year Tahoe, how many miles, which transmission, wheel and tire size, and what are the final drive gear ratios on your rig?

it's all stock, except the CAI & Catback.

4x2, stock ride height. no huge heavy stereo, LT model (no power pass seat)

2007

90k

auto? thought they were all the same?

stock 20's

dunno, where is the RPO chart to decode these SUV's?


i wanted the RPO's to see if was FlexFuel, but i rented a flexfuel van, and it had a yellow fuel cap.

the dealer just put a new Throttle Body on it, (why previous owner traded it in)

 

[Zed 71]

Since you have an 07 Tahoe the tranny must be a 4L60E. Just wanted to confirm you did not have the newer 6 speed.

Did you search google for RPO codes, there are many sites. Once you determine the final drive ratio, that will help out. Also do you have the 4.8 or 5.3L engine?

Are you sure the JBA catback exhaust is 3" in diameter? Did you notice any low end loss after install? Since your at 90k, was the 60k service completed?

 

[stevek]

I have an 07 Tahoe that tows two jet skis and trailer (Probably around 3000lbs) and don't have a problem. I vote to get a tune.

Don't push the trailer/tow button if you're at that speed and you shouldn't have problems

 

[Rpprvnce]

I had the same problem driving my 02 4x4 yukon with 5.3 home from nashville pulling a small trailer with a golf cart!!!! I just got the truck I sold my 454 suburban and i was shocked how terrible it pulled! I couldnt keep up with my dad in a 45ft diesel motor home! I know its not a 454 but my truck was dragging ass something awful through the hills... I think it got around 10 mpg. I need to know the first things that need to be done to improve this.

 

[Zed 71]

Richard, you need to provide more information regarding your truck. Just like I posted above, wheel and tire size, and what are the final drive gear ratios on your rig?

Joey, still need to know which engine you have and final drive ratio.

Just to compare, those above that posted no issues towing, what final drive ratio do you guys have? Final drive ratio will make a big difference.

At the very least have the Black Bear tune, but if you are going that route you might was well upgrade the intake and exhaust. Not sure what you guys are willing to spend. The BB tune will make a big difference in drivability.

 

[Rpprvnce]

First Gear Ratio 1): 3.06
Second Gear Ratio 1): 1.63
Third Gear Ratio 1): 1.00
Fourth Gear Ratio 1): 0.70
18 Denali wheels with 265/70/18 A/T
I literally cant make the truck go faster than 75 while pulling a trailer without running at least 3000 RPM even on a good flat interstate... I am getting a K&N CAI for sure and ive been looking at the Hypertech max energy. I dont know anything about the Black Bear Tune tho... I would be interested to hear from people that have one or the other. Im not really going for the gas mileage as I am the total loss of power. But obviously better than 10 mpg would be nice especially during hunting season. Thats why i got rid of my 454

 

[waxworkz]

Wow there is something seriously wrong. I have an 01 suburban, so already heavier, with 5.3 so not a bigger motor. I tow a 17ft horse trailer with about 2500-3000lbs every weekend. That plus 4-6 adults and have no issue staying at speed. I can even pass people if needed. I cruise about 65 @ 1500rpm. Don't know my final drive gear though.

I have a K&N cai, custom cat bat with flow master and Black Bear Tune. The tune made a huge difference with my truck hunting for gears. Now I just drop a gear when accelerating to pass or going up a hill. I also cleaned my maf, intake and seafoamed it. The seafoam made a noticeable difference in idle. Didn't do much for mpg but i still get about 14 mpg towing the heavy ass trailer.

 

[Rpprvnce]

Yea thats what I was saying!!!! I do have a Truck Vault that weighs over 250 lbs by itself plus everything else i keep in there but still... In town I get about 13 and highway 15 thats doing 75 or 80.

 

[Chevyrider619]

I pulled my wife's jeep from Cali to VA. 2700 miles with 35's 350 ect.ect... I think you might wanna re-gear it, those gears helped me out alot. 4.56's

 

[Zed 71]

First Gear Ratio 1): 3.06
Second Gear Ratio 1): 1.63
Third Gear Ratio 1): 1.00
Fourth Gear Ratio 1): 0.70
18 Denali wheels with 265/70/18 A/T
I literally cant make the truck go faster than 75 while pulling a trailer without running at least 3000 RPM even on a good flat interstate... I am getting a K&N CAI for sure and ive been looking at the Hypertech max energy. I dont know anything about the Black Bear Tune tho... I would be interested to hear from people that have one or the other. Im not really going for the gas mileage as I am the total loss of power. But obviously better than 10 mpg would be nice especially during hunting season. Thats why i got rid of my 454

Still need the final drive ratio. It is the gear ratio in the differential. Also, which motor do you have?

It almost sounds like you have the 4.8L with a tall final drive gear.

Do not get the Hypertech. Search on hear because those that tried it saw very little gains. Some even switched to Black Bear and there is no comparison. Get the Black Bear, custom performance tune with torque reduction (all tuned to your liking) and keep tow/haul mode. It would be best to install CAI and exhaust before the tune.

 

[puckhead]

Very strange. You shouldnt be having any trouble with it at all. You getting any codes at all? I would say hold off on the BB tune till you figure out what is wrong. Getting the tune now will just mask the problem. What engine do you have?

 

[Ironman1979]

yah.. seems to me like you got a set of the 2.73 or the 3.08 gears.. you need a swap to like a 3.42 or something along those lines.. with nothing on the truck and in od what rpm are you running at when the cruise is at 70 on a flat road.

 

[Rpprvnce]

I just put a brute force cold air intake on it and while installing it I noticed how dirty the throttle body was.. It was bad so I cleaned it pretty good and man I can already tell a difference!!

 

[Rpprvnce]

Its a 5.3 with 100,000mi and it runs right around 2000 RPMs doing 70. When I first got the truck i was stunned when i found out it gets around 13 mpg in town and 15 on the highway doing 75. there are no trouble lights on in the dash but there are two weird things happening.. When the headlights come on automatically or manually the cruise wont work and all of the lights flicker really fast. almost like a strobe light... I mean all the door lights interior lights dash light buttons and everything. But there are no lights on that shouldnt be.. Those are the only two things i can find wrong with my truck.. My throttle body was horrendously dirty tho..

 

[Zed 71]

Looks like you need to complete a tune-up before proceeding. I guess we should have asked the obvious questions like basic servicing...