Truck is Struggling

[db7512]

Use tow haul mode. It helps by changing shift points.

[Tblt44]

I have a older 5.3 with 4 speed transmission.
Not farmulair with the newer transmission. I tow in 3rd plenty of power pulling 4000 lbs.
In overdrive it was lugging and shifting too much.
New 5.3 have 100 more horses than I do.
Salesman correct should to with no problem.
I dont like tow haul mode, just keep overdrive off

[ENGINEER]

How heavy is your trailer as to the rated capacity of your truck? If you get 8mpg you are lucky. Sorry you listened to a salesman.

[ktex]

My older Chevy Truck had 15" tires and 342 gears.your new truck probably has 20 or 22" Tires.Larger tires kill gear Ratio big time..Your gear ratio is probably around 290 with 20-22" tires.I know because I have done this with 55 years of RVing.Good luck.

[OLEJOE]

Originally Posted by Capt_Chaz

Spoke to service and sent them pics posted here. Said it looks fine. I think I need another opinion

Capt where in La are you located? Scaling your truck and trailer and getting them level with each other will make a big difference. Measure the distance from the front fender to the ground hooked and unhooked and see how much the trailer is picking up the front end. With the WDH they recommend getting the front back close to stock height. My Cummins is so heavy it doesn’t move on mine. Your setup is doable and may just need to do some tweaking here and there. Tow/haul is your friend. Use it. I’m in La also and if not to far I’d be glad to help.

[Chris Pastuzyn]

Does anyone know if you can use tow /haul and use the manual shift option ?

[BillyBass]

I have a 2015 gmc sierra which has the 5.3 ,tow haul ,and 342 rear end and i can pull up to 9500#my camper is close to 8000# fulling loaded but i dont haul water which save around 600#

[OLEJOE]

Originally Posted by Chris Pastuzyn

Does anyone know if you can use tow /haul and use the manual shift option ?

Absolutely you can. I do it all the time.

[BillyBass]

Originally Posted by JRBME

3:42 is where your issues are. If 2WD. It could be swapped for a 3:73 or 4:11 (or similar).
Always tow a load in tow mode. Saves the transmission. That mode locks out the OD range/s.
Should you go for a pumpkin change, be sure to have an understanding of the cost of the required flash for the new ratio.
Even if 4WD, it could be modified. Just verify front ratios are avail that match rears. Rear change is doable...front match will lighten your wallet. The truck will still get decent DD mileage. Not as good as now, but it'll make for a far better tow vehicle.
Your camper is tall and makes for a huge 'air brake'. The overdrive tranny keeps the engine well below max torque at towing speeds. Feels 'slushy.' Tow mode will improve that feel a bit, albeit with higher engine RPM. Fuel mileage probably won't change much either way (beyond the load induced mileage).
A wing could help...and be retro cool..[emoji57]

I have a 3.42 and i dont have any problems pulling 8000#

[BillyBass]

Originally Posted by Capt_Chaz

Here are the pics.

need to raise the front of trailer up. Make it more level.What is the m psi for your back tires.When I pull my camper my tires now is 50# when i am not pulling i keep 35 in them that will help

[aircommuter]

Originally Posted by Capt_Chaz

Spoke to service and sent them pics posted here. Said it looks fine. I think I need another opinion

Don’t listen to the service department. Headlights are blinding others, tail is low and so on as others said. Just spend a few bucks in the right places and hit the road, hopefully to someplace that is now open.

[OLEJOE]

Originally Posted by aircommuter

Don’t listen to the service department. Headlights are blinding others, tail is low and so on as others said. Just spend a few bucks in the right places and hit the road, hopefully to someplace that is now open.

Where would that be ? We’ve been hemmed up for 2 months and about to go cabin crazy. Still lack about a month before I can get away with kids buying and selling houses. I’m ready to burn some diesel and drink some wine.

[skipatroller]

I wish I had a dollar for every time a salesman say."your truck is fine and will tow this trailer with no problem". this is a major topic on this forum that is talked about over and over again.

I know it is to late but never trust a salesman, know your truck and its limits before you shop.

I will tell you there are a lot of intelligent people on this forum that will be able to get you advice on what direction to go in. I will just say use your tow-haul mode when towing, it slows the rpms to run up a little higher before it shifts, the higher rpms will give you more torque, warning, your gas mileage will take a hit, I chalk it up to part of the price to go camping.

[BruceT]

First of all, never listen to a car salesman unless that person is a trained truck and towing specialist. His comment is a classic response, but useless. Like others have said on here, your gears are probably wrong. If your gear ratio doesn't begin with a "4" you're in trouble. If you have 3.73, 3.42, those are highway gears and aren't meant for towing. Most trucks sold on the lot are NEVER set up for towing. They are set up for economy. Make sure you have oil and transmission cooling. If your transmission downshifts frequently while towing, then you need the tow-haul mode ON when towing. Truck and trailer should be level going down the road, your equalized hitch will manage that. Good luck!

[wabakami]

As others have said, get your trailer and truck leveled-up; install a WD hitch, think about new tyres and rims.

Lastly, replace your rear shocks with a pair of hi-performance truck shocks.

Leveling your rig will also stop people flashing their lights at you as you're blinding them with your low-beams while night towing.


Geoff
.

[aircommuter]

Originally Posted by OLEJOE

Where would that be ? We’ve been hemmed up for 2 months and about to go cabin crazy. Still lack about a month before I can get away with kids buying and selling houses. I’m ready to burn some diesel and drink some wine.

I have had four Boondocker requests for my location but 2 cancelled because they couldn’t get into Yosemite, 2 are still coming so far. I read that the park is only allowing people with a half dome permit or some other permit. So it seems like things are still pretty tight. I think the campgrounds are open at Lake Don Pedro. Quite a drive for you though.

[aircommuter]

Originally Posted by BruceT

First of all, never listen to a car salesman unless that person is a trained truck and towing specialist. His comment is a classic response, but useless. Like others have said on here, your gears are probably wrong. If your gear ratio doesn't begin with a "4" you're in trouble. If you have 3.73, 3.42, those are highway gears and aren't meant for towing. Most trucks sold on the lot are NEVER set up for towing. They are set up for economy. Make sure you have oil and transmission cooling. If your transmission downshifts frequently while towing, then you need the tow-haul mode ON when towing. Truck and trailer should be level going down the road, your equalized hitch will manage that. Good luck!

Actually in the 1/2 ton market 3.92 is equivalent to 4:10 in 3/4 and 1 ton because of most of the stock tire circumferences.

[OLEJOE]

I read where Rushmore was open but not the campgrounds or the tours. I can’t leave here till the first of July (dr appointments) but distances are not a problem. I used to run 4000 miles per week as a cross country trucker but I’m retired now and not in any hurry.
Ps: I also have the America the Beautiful permit.

[Cpilk]

Ok here is my set up just for reference. I have a 2020 Geo Pro 15TB. I bought it new last summer. I also purchased a 2019 Jeep Grand Cherokee Trailhawk, V6. Yes, the Jeep is more sluggish if I have the trailer attached. My gas mileage goes from about 18 mpg to 11-12 mpg when pulling, less if going uphill. I have a CURT Echo Bluetooth-Enabled Mobile Brake Control, and an Equal-I-zer weight distribution hitch.

In March of this year, I took the Jeep and Trailer to Padre Island National Seashore with a full fresh water tank. Yes, it was a little more sluggish than normal but the Jeep did well. I am not here to offer advice but just to share another setup. Before purchasing the Jeep and trailer, I had never driven something that big (the Jeep) or pulled any kind of trailer. I try to be conscious of what I load in/on the trailer and only take what I need. I have yet to be able to weigh my rig but it seems to work well for me as it is.

With all this discussion, I just thought I would post my set up for anyones reference. I hope this helps someone.

[OLEJOE]

an Equal-I-zer weight distribution hitch.

That’s the key to your success right there. Set up properly and understanding your limitations and expectations with your vehicle and the area you are going to. I have a 1500 Silverado with a 4.8 and 3.26 gears and I have pulled loads that should have had a 3/4 or 1 ton pulling them but it’s still going and running strong but I’ve pulled a trailer just about every day for the last 38 years and being sluggish is part of it.