Newbie Want's a 2nd opinion

[roentgen]

Hi Guy's

New to this site.

I just wanted a 2nd opinion on my tow vehicle & T.T.

I have a 2005 Chevy Avalanche 1500 4x4 with trailer Pkg, 4:10's, Aux Trans cooler, Prodigy brake controler. The GVWR for the Avalanche is 7000#, and the GCVWR is 14000.

I tow a Jayco 27BH, Sticker says 4890# dry Wt, and GVWR of 7500. Which is actually 29'1" from bumper to hitch.

I crunched the #'s on paper, and think I will be O.K. I have yet to weigh this rig which I plan on doing my next trip.

I have A Wt distribution Hitch, and a single cam sway control also.

I think I am at the upper limits in Wt, but would like a 2nd opinion, what do you think.

Tks

roentgen

[roentgen]

Hi Guy's

New to this site.

I just wanted a 2nd opinion on my tow vehicle & T.T.

I have a 2005 Chevy Avalanche 1500 4x4 with trailer Pkg, 4:10's, Aux Trans cooler, Prodigy brake controler. The GVWR for the Avalanche is 7000#, and the GCVWR is 14000.

I tow a Jayco 27BH, Sticker says 4890# dry Wt, and GVWR of 7500. Which is actually 29'1" from bumper to hitch.

I crunched the #'s on paper, and think I will be O.K. I have yet to weigh this rig which I plan on doing my next trip.

I have A Wt distribution Hitch, and a single cam sway control also.

I think I am at the upper limits in Wt, but would like a 2nd opinion, what do you think.

Tks

roentgen

[Route 66]

Roentgen, welcome to iRV2.

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content"> I think I am at the upper limits in Wt, but would like a 2nd opinion, what do you think.

</div></BLOCKQUOTE>

You could be approaching the limit depending on how much is loaded in each vehicle.

You are doing the right thing in getting your rig weighed.

That is the only way to truly know what you are dealing with.

Let us know how you make out.

[roentgen]

Tks Route 66

We are planning a short trip next weekend, and their are a set of truck scales just before the border, I phoned yesterday, and the guy says they are open 24/7, just let them know when I get there.

I will post after the trip, and let people know how the rig handled, and what are the real world #'s

roentgen

[TXiceman]

Welcome to iRV2.

Like note, you will be close to the limits when loaded, or maybe a bit over.

One thing I would do is get a stacked plate type external transmission oil cooler added before your trip. I see you have one, but is it large enough. Heat is the number one killer of transmissions. The little copper tube/aluminum fin units do not do a lot of good...but they do help.

Also make sure that the W/D hitch is set up correctly so that the trailer is level when loaded and the truck squats the came front and rear when you hitch up.

Do not try to labor the truck in OD and lock it out when you start hunting between gears. It is better to slow down and drop down a gear to keep your engine up in the torque range. The gas engines are designed to run in the 3500 to 4000 RPM range to keep the torque up.

Ken

[roentgen]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">stacked plate type external transmission oil cooler </div></BLOCKQUOTE>
Hi TXiceman:

You think I should replace the aux tranny cooler I bought for the more efficent style? If I don't am I bound to cook this tranny? Even with Factory tranny & Aux cooler I presently have ?

roentgen

[roentgen]

Can I hook two aux tranny coolers in series along with the factory one having 3 in total ?, even if the two aux coolers are a different style?

Tks

roentgen

[K-Star]

sure. tranny coolers tap into the trans fluid line, goes thru the cooler and back into the line.

[roentgen]

Tks K-Star

I will consider doing this, but I don't have the time right now before we go away this wkend.

I will have to take the chance with the factory, and aux cooler I have right now!

Tks

roentgen

[roentgen]

What about an EMI mesa 96 stack plate tranny cooler ? ACC-C10-5514 - 96 PLATE MESA OIL COOLER as an addition ?

roentgen

[TXiceman]

I have a large stacked plate cooler on mine and when we were towing the 36.5' 5er, the transmission guage barley moves up, no matter how hard we are working the tranny.

If you want to keep you current tranny coolers, put on a transmission oil temp gauge...need to have one any way.

Ken

[xc-mark]

your close to the safe limeits of your truck. Cooling could be a issue , if theres any hills turn off OD! Also you should figure out the axal weights on your truck , with only c rated tires you could be very close on max weight at the rear axal

[roentgen]

Tks for all the advice Guy's.

I will install a tranny temp guage, then if it's to high I will add an additional cooler as mentioned the one earlier, it is the biggest 96 plates. The tires I have are rated LT I think the axle weights will have to wait until Sat weigh in before the border. What is a good temp range when pulling ? Will have to play all this by ear carefully, and step by step. Sat tow is about 250 mi mostly flat with a few grades, but in Aug I have some Mountain driving & some grades so I guess I should get a tranny temp guage 1st. There is no factory temp guage for the Avalanche unless you get a cluster out of an Escalade, or some other high end GM around $500. Know of a good brand guage thats accurate, and not to bad to install either analog, or digital.

Tks

roentgen