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The_LeRoys's avatar
The_LeRoys
Explorer
Apr 01, 2015

2008 Chevy Diesel Van - No Tow / Haul Mode?

I'm looking at a 2008 Chevy 2500 Diesel as a new tow vehicle. What I noticed is that there is no tow / haul button on the gear selector. Could it be somewhere else? Or could the van not have this?

Did the vans not come with the Allison Transmission? It looks like its rated for a bit less HP / Torque than a truck of the same year. Did they do something different to the engine of the vans?
Tow Vehicles

10 Replies

  • carringb's avatar
    carringb
    Explorer
    Apr 01, 2015
    The LeRoys wrote:
    The towing guide on trailer life has it listed as 20,000 GCWR. Is that not correct?


    That is incorrect for the vans. That only applies to the gas-powered 4500 cutaway chassis with the RV-prep package.
  • fitznj's avatar
    fitznj
    Explorer
    Apr 01, 2015
    The TOW mode button is on the dash. I hardly ever use it towing my 7,000lb
    trailer. All is does is hold the revs longer and move the shift points
    up. I find on flat ground, the van tows really well in regular mode; In hills
    I move down from "D" and don't let the tranny shift into top - otherwise the engine will lug too much.
    Gerry
  • The_LeRoys's avatar
    The_LeRoys
    Explorer
    Apr 01, 2015
    The towing guide on trailer life has it listed as 20,000 GCWR. Is that not correct?
  • 2003silverado's avatar
    2003silverado
    Explorer II
    Apr 01, 2015
    The 4l80e transmission has been around forever and is a very good transmission.
  • carringb's avatar
    carringb
    Explorer
    Apr 01, 2015
    They do have Tow Haul. It's on the dash. All it does however is raise shift points. It doesn't do fancy grade braking like the Allisons.

    Also, beware it only has a combined weight rating of 16,000 pounds, due to the transmission. Effectively that will limit you to trailers weighing 7-8,000 pounds, depending on the trim level and loading of the van.

    I would definitely not recommend using a programmer on a Duramax van. The trans is maxed out for torque input as it is. Adding a programmer will probably blow it apart in short order, unless you replace it with a built unit.
  • noteven's avatar
    noteven
    Explorer III
    Apr 01, 2015
    You could scout the interwebs for a programmer matched to that engine/trans that would provide tow/haul programming for the trans.

    Or just tow with it and manually shift in certail situations like wanderingbob said ^
  • wanderingbob's avatar
    wanderingbob
    Explorer II
    Apr 01, 2015
    Lots of tow vehicles do not have tow/haul .
    If the tranny hunts and searches drop down one gear !
    For most flat land towing you will not need tow/haul !
  • colliehauler's avatar
    colliehauler
    Explorer III
    Apr 01, 2015
    They did not have the Allison transmission in the van that's why it's De-rated.
  • The_LeRoys's avatar
    The_LeRoys
    Explorer
    Apr 01, 2015
    Looking up the VIN it appears to have the following Transmission Code.

    Trans Order CodeMN8, MT1

    Which I believe translates to this transmission.

    2007 Hydra-Matic 4L80 (MT1)
    2007 Hydra-Matic 4L85 (MN8)

    While I'm used to and love my Allison transmission in my 2005. Is this transmission decent for towing? Or should I skip past this unit?

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