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Maysdave · 04-13-2016, 11:51 AM

I have 07 1500HD Classic with a 6.0L I tow a 2016 Gulf Stream Apex ultra light 28 ft travel trailer. The trailer weighs 4800 lbs.
my question is that when towing it seems like when using a weight distribution hitch my truck works harder. Downshifts more fights to stay at 65mph. Etc. the factory set up the weight distribution hitch. It just seems like my truck shouldn't struggle as much as it does. Anybody else ever experience this. Seems like a crapshoot if my truck will stay in 3rd or drop into overdrive weather windy or not. Should I be towing in OD with the trailer weight. Or just stay in 3rd.
When I bought it. I towed it home 20 miles. Some wind. No weight distribution hitch. At 65 mph. I stayed in overdrive the whole time except for one little spot. 2 weeks later took it in to get the hitch set up. To the dealer and home it only shifted out of 3rd into OD one time.

1bigmess · 04-13-2016, 11:56 AM

Which way was the wind blowing each time?

Maysdave · 04-13-2016, 02:13 PM

Same, head on about the same strength as well

1bigmess · 04-13-2016, 02:19 PM

The weight distribution hitch should change nothing about how hard your engine works to tow the same weight unless the tires the weight is transferred to are not inflated properly. Tires provide a lot of rolling resistance. Max inflation pressures reduce the rolling resistance as much as is possible.

My truck has a tow/haul mode. Your truck has the OD off switch so that when towing you can shut it off and the engine won't work quite as hard. If it is shifting between third and OD a lot, then lock out the OD. If it stays in OD without any fuss, than let it drive in OD.

Do you have the owners manual? There may be good info in there.

Maysdave · 04-14-2016, 11:47 AM

I will try the tire pressure. I have read the tie section in the Manuel not anything that helped in there.

1bigmess · 04-14-2016, 08:49 PM

When in doubt, turn the OD off. That is my advice based on my limited knowledge.

archsnuffy · 05-18-2016, 06:41 AM

I used to have a 2007 1500 classic with the 5.3L engine when I was towing a 24 ft trailer with a similar weight as yours. With a four speed transmission I found that with any more than a slight headwind the truck would hunt between 3rd and 4th. If I had a tailwind I would put the truck in drive, otherwise I would get up to speed and put the shift lever in 3 to lock out overdrive. I used the tow/haul mode all of the time when I was towing. Your truck and trailer should be fairly well matched to each other - keep in mind it is normal to run at 4-5000 RPM for periods of time when towing with a gas engine. The only reason I sold my 1500 was my family got larger so I upgraded the trailer to a 35 ft bunkhouse model and had to get a heavier truck to pull it.

tuffr2 · 05-18-2016, 09:46 AM

That is typical of any gasoline engine. They work much harder to maintain speed. Especially into any wind. Agree a W/D hitch will have no impact to very little impact to the engine. It might have a very very slight impact if somehow the W/D hitch improves aerodynamics of the rig.