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falconbrother's avatar
falconbrother
Explorer II
Apr 21, 2017

Towed the new TT home

I towed the new TT home today. Decided to take the long way and try some interstate time. I will observe that the Sumo SuperSprings were an awesome investment. The 1500 Suburban rode flat. The Harbor Freight weight distribution hitch did awesome. The 5.3 V8 did decent. I tried it with and without "tow/haul". Tow/haul is better. On the interstate the burb wants to be in overdrive if tow/haul is off. Doesn't feel right to me. 65 MPH with tow/haul feels good. The wheel base of the suburban is awesome. It feels really stable. I was real easy on the gas pedal so as to make life easy for the transmission. I did notice that on a fairly steep hill I have to gas it some. So, here's my question:

How hard do you push your 1500/150 series tow vehicles on inclines? I can tell you now that I'm not in a hurry so, I'll be over with the semi-tucks easing up the mountain.

Coming from a motorhome with a 454 is very different. The old 454 was a mountain goat. It could run up Black Mountain (without the toad) with the cars. With the toad I was still passing the big trucks going up the mountain and that's without pushing it hard. None of this is to suggest that I miss the motorhome..I don't. Really looking forward to trips with this travel trailer.
  • falconbrother's avatar
    falconbrother
    Explorer II
    Apr 24, 2017
    RAMwoodworks wrote:
    I also just brought home a new TT with a similar rig. Brought it home with a 5.3 Sierra 1500. I have 3.73 gears so in Tow mode it would downshift going up the hills.

    My regular tow vehicle will be a 5.3 Yukon XL. The only difference will be the blind spots in SWMBO's Yukon and those tiny side mirrors.


    I bought some of those strap on extra mirrors. But, the Burb mirrors are so big that the extra ones are rarely needed. I do keep the rpms up but, I try to do so in a manner where the transmission isn't hard shifting. That is, when I feel a shift coming on I back off of the gas pedal for a second to take some of the shock off of the drive train when the gear change hits.

    The trailer did not come with a spare so, from the suggestion of someone on this forum I went to Northern Tool and bought the wheel/tire. The stock tire is a radial. The one I bought is a bias ply of the same size. As a tire to get me to the tire store/campground/home I think it will be fine. I'm hoping to not need the spare. I towed an old Prowler all over the place years ago and never needed the spare. Maybe my luck will hold out..LOL..
  • RAMwoodworks's avatar
    RAMwoodworks
    Explorer
    Apr 24, 2017
    I also just brought home a new TT with a similar rig. Brought it home with a 5.3 Sierra 1500. I have 3.73 gears so in Tow mode it would downshift going up the hills.

    My regular tow vehicle will be a 5.3 Yukon XL. The only difference will be the blind spots in SWMBO's Yukon and those tiny side mirrors.
  • Community Alumni's avatar
    Community Alumni
    Apr 24, 2017
    Go as fast or slow as you want, but keep in mind that low RPMs are not your friend. Gasoline engines need to rev in order to create power. At low RPMs you're forcing the vehicle to drag the load up the incline using little power (lugging) which is very stressful for it. Your engine will make peak HP around 5000 RPM. Seems counter intuitive, but keep the RPMs high to stress the engine less. Some people don't like the sound of screaming engines while going uphill, that's where diesels shine. They make their power at much lower RPMs so you can easily cruise up at 1800 RPM.
  • Redwoodcamper's avatar
    Redwoodcamper
    Explorer
    Apr 22, 2017
    In a gas vehicle like your burb, Rpms are your friend. Your tranny is likely your weak link. Up hills I would make sure you are out of overdrive and try to find it's "happy place" as far as gear and rpm selection. It might be 50mph, might be around 60. Depends on your gearing. Keep an eye on your gauges and have fun.
  • falconbrother's avatar
    falconbrother
    Explorer II
    Apr 22, 2017
    Lwiddis wrote:
    Falcon, what TT did you get? (Or did I miss that)


    We bought a 2017 Coleman CTS262BH. We really like it. We have been camping nearly three decades and never had a new camper, never had a slideout, etc..

    I forgot to mention that the trailer brakes really work amazing (compared to the 1991 Prowler we had back in the mid 1990s). Braking feels like there's nothing back there. I'm not worried about the engine. That 5.3 can rev. I do want to take it as easy as possible on the transmission. My old motorhome had the 454 and it was running higher RPMs on the interstate (for hours at a time) and it never hurt it. I change oils and fluids a lot so, no worries there. Plus, my old Suburban has a new engine so it's good to go for a few years. It runs cool and smooth.
  • KD4UPL's avatar
    KD4UPL
    Explorer
    Apr 21, 2017
    I'd stand on it if necessary. I used to tow a TT with a '96 Dodge 1500. It wasn't uncommon to have the pedal on the floor going up a mountain. The old 360 did great, just a little slow.
    Modern engines make HP at high RPMs; they also have things like rev limiters and torque management to keep you from breaking things. You should be able to stand on the gas up a grade and not worry about anything.
    However, I'd find out what RPM your engine produces it's peak torque rating. That's where I'd try to keep it if possible when going up a steep grade.
  • Alabama_Jim's avatar
    Alabama_Jim
    Explorer
    Apr 21, 2017
    Congratulation on the new TT. I pray God grants you many fun and safe trips. As for towing, I drive 65 with an F-150 and pull a TT 35 feet. No problems flat or up mountains. Yes, I too use tow/haul.
  • parker_rowe's avatar
    parker_rowe
    Explorer
    Apr 21, 2017
    I tow with and 1997 1500 Suburban. 5.7 Vortec, 3.73 gears, 33" tires, tow package.

    Trailer is rated at 5200lbs dry, 6500lbs max. Normally tow with a little water in the tank and 4 people on board, plus your normal camping load out. I have towed with 6 people on board and all the stuff needed for them, no real problems but also no mountains on that trip. :)

    Since I don't have tow haul, I lock it out of overdrive whenever I am towing.

    Usually I stick between 55 and 65mph with the cruise set and have no problems. On steeper hills I may slow to 50, on the worst hills it would downshift to second and turn around 4k rpms.

    In second gear it would have no problems maintaining even 60 if I wanted it to, but I normal just slow down a bit and try to keep it in 3rd.

    I love this truck for towing our camper. 50 gallon fuel tank, long wheelbase, plenty of room.

    My father in law tows a slightly smaller camper with a 5.3 Tahoe. He just sets the cruise around 60, turns on tow haul, and lets it do its thing. He has been running it this way for the last 2 years at least.
  • IBcarguy's avatar
    IBcarguy
    Explorer
    Apr 21, 2017
    Congrats! That first ride with a new RV is always exciting. I pulled with an older Suburban for several years and it served me well. Even with the 454, she struggled in the mountains. From what I've read, the power curve on the 5.3 and 6.0 is at a higher rpm range so don't hesitate to wind her up. Anticipate the hills, make a run for it and try not to back off unless necessary. Either that or just let her down shift and poke up the grades. The motor revving can be a bit un-nerving though.
    Good luck with your new rig and have fun!

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