GM Tow haul use - opinions

playsintyraffic wrote:
Do not tow heavy with a 4l60E in overdrive, always downshift into 3rd and use tow haul. If you have the 5.3 engine cruise will likely not be very effective as it will want to drop 2nd gear down shifts at the slightest hill or head wind. The 4l60E is the weak link in this setup, I would recommend figuring out a way to monitor transmission temp. The 5.3 is a great engine just be prepared to turn some RPMS in the mountains. I have towed a very similar sized TT with an 2004 Yukon XL 5.3 with 4l60E, it did well in flat Indiana but struggled in the mountains. The transmission let go with 160,000 while climbing in the Smokey Mnts. Had transmission rebuilt and upgraded, it did well with the improvements.

I appreciate it. I'm going to add a cooler to the existing tow package extra cooler. I'm not going to be in a hurry when we travel. Totally going to be using the tow/haul feature. We don't go to the mountains all that much. My wife wants to go more. We do go to the beach a few times a year. I have toyed with having someone go through the transmission since I don't really know the history of this one. But, it works perfectly right now so, I'm not motivated to spend the extra cash. I just had the differential rebuilt with new everything. I have serviced the transmission, filter, fluid..and done an additional drain and fill. Going to do another one today or tomorrow. Dex6 is cheap so it seems like a good idea. I have known a lot of folks with these vehicles and transmission overhauls are pretty common. But, people drive them constantly so, they wear out. Mind if I ask what the cost of the overhaul was and what upgrades you made?