Forum Discussion

bshack's avatar
bshack
Explorer
Feb 02, 2020

Will my truck tow safely in the Smokys?

I have a 2017 Silverado with max towing of 6100lbs, it is a 5.3 w/ 3.08. My TT is 5000 lbs dry. My Truck feels strong enough on flat land but I've never taken it anywhere with a real grade. We'd like to go to the Smokys with the TT, bad idea?
  • Grit_dog's avatar
    Grit_dog
    Navigator
    Feb 04, 2020
    ^ Yes, the 6 speeds in those 1/2 ton Chevys do a decent job in tow haul. Good on the upshifts, but they slam too low of gears too abruptly on the downhill. To the point that I only leave mine in auto mode towing downhill if I forget to go to manual.
    I suspect that's what tore apart my trans, as I didn't use manual and basically abused the trans hard for the first 40-50k miles.

    Different than jimlins experience, the programming will jam mine down very abruptly to 4000-4500 rpms in the right conditions, which in itself isn't bad, but the manner in which it does it feels like a locked downshift. IMO, the Rams and Fords have better tow haul programming.

    If I was trying to preserve my own personal truck, I'd 100% run manual mode towing in the mountains.

    By way of comparison, the 2019 GM 8 speed trans behind the 5.3 is improved for shift programming, IMO.
  • TomG2's avatar
    TomG2
    Explorer
    Feb 04, 2020
    Recent Ike/Gauntlet runs make the point that current tow vehicles simply go up the hill at posted speeds. No tricks, axle changes, tiny tires, or other enhancements necessary. 6-8-10 speed transmissions coupled to powerful engines has reduced the Gauntlet to just another Sunday drive. Technology won another one.
  • JIMNLIN's avatar
    JIMNLIN
    Explorer III
    Feb 04, 2020
    Not sure how much the final drive ratio has an effect on the hill descent assist, with the 3.42 near GVWR and towing a 3,600 pound trailer I can tell you it makes a world of difference, manually selecting the gears isn't nearly as good as leaving it in auto with all the aids turned on and engaged.

    The wifes 16' 1500 chevy 5.3 crew cab short bed 3.42 gears and 6 speed tranny 4wd does a much better job of slowing my 10k car hauler down (9k on the trailers axles) with the tranny in manual mode and me selecting the best gear.
    Selecting T/H mode locks out the TC clutch longer at different rpm levels so at times depending on rpm/speed there is no grade braking because the clutch is in the unlocked position. This was pointed out to me by another member with a 1500 chevy/6 speed tranny when I mentioned towing my 10k car hauler to muddy worksites.
    I also find I can do a better/quicker/smoother job of up and down shifting when towing with her 1500 truck.
    Empty truck.....I'm not at all impressed with the slow response with up and down shifting at low rpm levels. GMC and chevy tranny techs both say its a common complaint from many 6L80e owners. Now I will say operating close or at WOT this 6L80e tranny rocks with solid shifts like my old '60s era 4 speed muscle cars had.

    My personnel truck is a Dodge/Cummins with the NV5600 6 speed manual tranny and NV4500 5 speeds in a GM 3500 and another 3500 Dodge truck.

    I'm with ya' on letting the truck driver select the proper gear while testing the IKE. I see on one of the haulers forums members like to poke fun at how they let the tranny do the thinking while going up...and going down. They call it abusing the equipment.
  • TomG2's avatar
    TomG2
    Explorer
    Feb 04, 2020
    afidel wrote:
    One thing to know when towing in the mountains is that you'll get some assistance from the truck if you put it in tow/haul mode and brake to under 50mph (generally 48 but I've had it require getting down to 45 on steeper grades). ...snip......


    Bingo! I wonder if some of these guy even tow with a modern tow vehicle. As I approach a steep grade, my truck downshifts a time or two and we climb the hill. With 350-400 horsepower available, I don't have to stop and change rear axle ratios or go to smaller tires to reach the top. Actually, with a capable tow vehicle it is fun to feed those horses and flatten out the hills. If I don't trust the computer, a quick tap or two on the downshift button will bring the 390 ponies into play.
  • afidel's avatar
    afidel
    Explorer II
    Feb 04, 2020
    One thing to know when towing in the mountains is that you'll get some assistance from the truck if you put it in tow/haul mode and brake to under 50mph (generally 48 but I've had it require getting down to 45 on steeper grades). Not sure how much the final drive ratio has an effect on the hill descent assist, with the 3.42 near GVWR and towing a 3,600 pound trailer I can tell you it makes a world of difference, manually selecting the gears isn't nearly as good as leaving it in auto with all the aids turned on and engaged.

    BTW this is one of my big gripes with TFL's Ike Gauntlet testing, these guys are smart with plenty of experience with these trucks and yet they only slow the trucks down to 49-50mph even though if they'd slow them a few mph more they'd get engine braking, transmission help, etc and about half the brake applications for the Chevy/GMC gas trucks.
  • time2roll's avatar
    time2roll
    Nomad
    Feb 03, 2020
    Considering tow ratings there is no way I would install smaller tires.
    Load rating and handling may also change.
  • Huntindog's avatar
    Huntindog
    Explorer
    Feb 03, 2020
    Terryallan wrote:
    Grit dog wrote:
    ^ Totally true statement, but in my experience, the gear splits on the GM 6 speed would be pretty good for 3.08s based on revs and mph with the 3.42s I have.
    OP, another way to gain a bit more “power” is to run the absolutely shortest tires you can reasonably run.
    If you can size down the tires a size or 2 and still keep the load rating you need , that will get you part ways to where gearing down would.


    Very true. Smaller tires area easy way to change the gearing. Just remember. It will change the Speedo. But that is easily taken care of with a GPS. You can see your actual speed with one.
    The downsides is less ground clearance, and maybe having to readjust the hitch... As expensive as tires are nowadays, I'd just put the $$ towards regearing... BTW, if you look at what your trucks ratings would have been with different gears from the factory, you can figure out where you will stand rating wise with a gear swap.
  • Terryallan's avatar
    Terryallan
    Explorer II
    Feb 03, 2020
    Grit dog wrote:
    ^ Totally true statement, but in my experience, the gear splits on the GM 6 speed would be pretty good for 3.08s based on revs and mph with the 3.42s I have.
    OP, another way to gain a bit more “power” is to run the absolutely shortest tires you can reasonably run.
    If you can size down the tires a size or 2 and still keep the load rating you need , that will get you part ways to where gearing down would.


    Very true. Smaller tires area easy way to change the gearing. Just remember. It will change the Speedo. But that is easily taken care of with a GPS. You can see your actual speed with one.
  • TomG2's avatar
    TomG2
    Explorer
    Feb 03, 2020
    Terryallan wrote:
    You can only down shift so many times before you run out of gears to drop to. Lower rear gears will fix that.


    With the bodaciously low 1st gear in today's pickups, there will not be a need to downshift from 1st. If you need something lower than first, you just tried to climb a ski slope. Do the math. Multiply 1st gear ratio by rear axle ratio to understand what I am talking about.
  • TomG2's avatar
    TomG2
    Explorer
    Feb 03, 2020
    When people ask, "Can I......?" They usually already know the answer is negative but want someone to convince them otherwise. Lots of folks on the forums are more than willing to do that. Not their property, not their safety. I am one who likes plenty of cushion. I want to enjoy the tow. I do that by towing at about sixty percent of advertised "ratings".

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