Towing 4K with NEW 1500 Silverado?
Hello: Recently towing Freedom Express model 170RB (19 FT., 4K LBs.) in the hills of Pa. Rt 322 north of Harrisburg, Pa. and had to bring engine (See Signature for Vehicle) to 4K rpm to reach 60 MPH ...
Forum Discussion
I agree with what Sincure said about manual mode. Check owners manual for explanation and use of Manual and Tow/haul modes. It is a bit of a misnomer. Manual mode in the 6-spd GM trucks is more like Max top gear the automatic will still use all gears including the gear shown in the display and below. The shift pattern is the same as Drive. There is one exception for M2. M2 in normal mode will not into first. It will start in second gear, sometimes helpful in low traction situations. M2 in Tow/haul trans mode will start in first gear and use the same shift points as drive for 2-6.
Changing from drive to manual mode will display the current trans gear and prevent any more upshifts. So if you put in manual mode when you start the truck in from park, it will display '1'. Use the toggle buttons to select 5 for example.
What will this do for towing on the highway? 65mph will pull comfortably on flat highway at about 2000-2200rpm. The trans will not attempt to hold 6th gear, then downshift as it can't hold the speed with the aero drag. A couple shifts every mile are annoying as well as generate extra heat in the trans. It can get really bad if you lose enough speed in 6th gear where it thinks it needs to downshift to 3rd to recover. The driver sees 1600rpm, then 4500rpm, 1600rpm, 4500rpm. Holding a higher gear prevents this as well as provides better throttle response for changing grades, wind gusts, etc. The gear spacing of 6+ speed trans allows a better fien tuning of this vs. 4-speeds for example where you had really 2 gears to accelerate and 3rd for cruising.
You can also use M to downshift on downhill grades to help hold a certain speed.
Changing from drive to manual mode will display the current trans gear and prevent any more upshifts. So if you put in manual mode when you start the truck in from park, it will display '1'. Use the toggle buttons to select 5 for example.
What will this do for towing on the highway? 65mph will pull comfortably on flat highway at about 2000-2200rpm. The trans will not attempt to hold 6th gear, then downshift as it can't hold the speed with the aero drag. A couple shifts every mile are annoying as well as generate extra heat in the trans. It can get really bad if you lose enough speed in 6th gear where it thinks it needs to downshift to 3rd to recover. The driver sees 1600rpm, then 4500rpm, 1600rpm, 4500rpm. Holding a higher gear prevents this as well as provides better throttle response for changing grades, wind gusts, etc. The gear spacing of 6+ speed trans allows a better fien tuning of this vs. 4-speeds for example where you had really 2 gears to accelerate and 3rd for cruising.
You can also use M to downshift on downhill grades to help hold a certain speed.
