Towing with our Tahoe 5.3lt.

[santurinos]

Well, we’re getting closer to our first trip…
I installed two 80 Watt solar panels and a charger (going green). We’re still not sure about the Generator, but we will get it sooner or later.


After all your friendly advice, we bought us a used Chevy Tahoe 2006 model (5.3 lt as you suggested).
Our Trail-Lite crossover 189QB weight about 3500lb loaded.


My question: What gear do you select on flat grades? When do you use the tow button on the gear shift lever?


Y’ALL take care – have a great day – Walter and Dianne.

[Gotta_P]

When we had our TT and towed with our GMC Sierra with the 5.3L, we used Tow Mode all the time. It held gears longer when accelerating and when slowing down, which allowed the engine to act as a brake to slow the vehicle and helped prevent the brakes from overheating when decending long grades.

[Campin Fool]

As Gotta_P pointed out, the Tow Button only changes the shift points of the tranny. It helps keep the motor in the power band when towing. You may or may not need to use it. Try it with and without and see which one you feels works better. If you'll be towing a lot of hills, you may find it beneficial to use it.

[Randy the sly old fox]

That 5.3L engine has a relative high RPM torque band. Using the tow mode changes the shift points so that the engine winds up into that range (2000-4000 RPM) and all but elminates the use of 4th gear (OD). Only Tow/Haul II equiped transmissions have the downgrade downshift feature that downshifts when you tap on the brakes. This is only in the Allison and the new GM 6sp tranny.

[santurinos]

Hello Friends,
I really appreciate your help, it makes learning easy and fun! What would I do without you?
I am in a hurry, we leave in about one hour up to the beautiful Georgia mountains (Chattahoochee National Forest - dry camping).
Will my new two solar 80 Watt panel and charger keep my fridge cool and my water pump work and my TV and my light and my...
What about my new sway control, hmmm.
We''ll see - I don't worry.
YA'LL have a great weekend - thank you - walter and dianne.

[santurinos]

We just came back from North Georgia Mountains, we had a great first weekend with our new camper and Tahoe.
Like you suggest, I had it on D with the tow button pushed, this worked perfectly. Also, after a few attempts I did not use the cruise control anymore because shifting into high RPM.

I have a question:
While driving very steep down on dirt roads in the mountains, I’ve shifted in the first gear to have the transmission helping with slowing down the rig. Is this OK?

We’re new in the RV-hobby and need your experience and help!

Y’ALL take care – have a great day – Walter and Dianne.

[CD]

Quote:

Originally Posted by santurinos;678520 [FONT=Arial While driving very steep down on dirt roads in the mountains, I’ve shifted in the first gear to have the transmission helping with slowing down the rig. Is this OK?[/FONT] We’re new in the RV-hobby and need your experience and help! Y’ALL take care – have a great day – Walter and Dianne.

Mechanically it should be OK but if you have loose surface, like gravel your rear wheels might start sliding (asuming you have rear wheel drive). If this happens you need to get on the gas and/or on the trailer brakes before it jack knifes.