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New Tow vehicle questions

joe_puma
Explorer
Explorer
Got a 2011 2500HD Silverado Crew Cab with Duramax and Allison.
Did a couple of short tows, hour to hour and a half. Have a 28' TT about 7000lbs.
Pulls great so far all smiles.:)) couple questions. Do most people tow with the tow/haul mode on or off, even if on basically level ground? Also do you turn on the exhaust brake? Only got 17,000 miles on truck and don't want to do anything wrong. Any other thoughts are appreciated.
4 REPLIES 4

joe_puma
Explorer
Explorer
Thanks for the input. So far love the truck!!

Norskeman
Explorer
Explorer
Tow haul mode even when I am not towing - keeps the RPMs up in town and helps with "engine braking". With the truck and trailer we are a little over 20,000 lbs.

Our truck has a little over 23,000 miles on it - only problem I had so far was a dead passenger side battery - replaced by the dealer.

I use the exhaust brake if I will be going down a decent grade. It works good - there is a down hill grade on route 81 in PA that I had to use the brakes on my 2005 D/A. With the 2011 I set the cruise at 65 mph and about 68 to 69 mph the exhaust brake kicks in and I do not have to use the brakes.

The real test of the exhaust brake will be our trip out to Yellowstone and Glacier this summer.

Towing - remember to change the rear diff fluid - changed mine after the first 600 miles of towing - gray and milky. Changed again when I put on a PML diff cover and it was clear and clean.

I changed the shocks at 22,000 miles - the OEM shocks were shot. Rides better now when towing.

Mods on my 2011:
Bed Rug bed liner, Luverne SS running boards, Air Lift LoadLifter 5000 air bags, Reese Custom Base and Rail Kit, Handy fifth wheel tail gate, rear wheel liners, rear seat storage tray, front lower bumper billet grill, PML rear diff. cover, Bilstein 5100 shocks, Edge Insight CTS.

2017 Keystone Avalanche 320RS
TV - 2011 Chevy Silverado 3500HD LTZ CCLB Duramax SRW 4X4

MinnCamper
Explorer
Explorer
Tow/Haul always thats why they put it on the truck.

BeerCan
Explorer
Explorer
I always use tow/haul on mine even on the flats. It raises the shift points of the transmission and keeps my engine in its peak range when needed. The downside for me is lower MPG. Of course you are going to get differing opinions. My truck sadly does not have an exhaust brake so I cannot answer there.