Truck is Struggling

[aircommuter]

Originally Posted by 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.

I just got an email that says Yosemite is opening on Thursday with some limits and needed reservations. Some areas won’t be open like camp 4 too densely constructed. Bridal Veil is closed for work and couple more items.

[OLEJOE]

Thanks for the info.

[OldSoldier]

NOT CORRECT. You should use the tow haul mode ANY time you are pulling a significant load.

[bikendan]

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!

Some of this is incorrect, due to newer tow vehicles having 6, 8 or 10 speed transmissions. This allows them to have higher rear end ratios and better non-towing fuel mileage.
My 2014 F150 SCREW 4x4 3.5 Ecoboost has the 3.73 rear end and 6 speed transmission. It is rated to tow over 11,000lbs, though my payload capacity will not let me get that high.

[flyflotrtim]

Its all been said: get a WDH and get leveled, replace the low profile tires with a LT tire, your ride will be great. MPG, 8-9 is to be expected.

[AlaskaErik]

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!

That may have been good advice once upon a time, but things have changed. My 2019 Silverado 1500 has 3.42 gearing and it was meant to tow, as it has the max trailering package. 3.42 is as high as it goes today. The big difference is the 10 speed transmission and the 420 HP/460 ft lb 6.2L engine.

[AlaskaErik]

Originally Posted by OldSoldier

NOT CORRECT. You should use the tow haul mode ANY time you are pulling a significant load.

GM recommends tow/haul on the 1500 trucks be used if combined weight is at least 75% of Gross Combined Weight Rating. You can use it below that weight, but there is no advantage to doing so. Most 1500 trucks have a GCWR of 15,000 lbs, so use tow/haul if you weigh out at 11,250 or more. I have the max trailering package, so my GCWR is 17,800 lbs. 75% of that is 13,350 lbs. I'm at about 11,000 lbs, so I don't use it and I have absolutely no problems.

[BillyBass]

There no-one on here saying about tire pressure I was told to go about10 lb under max when towing that helps level the trailer.was I miss inform

[MF5270]

Always use tow- haul.

Takes some getting used to hearing longer holds at higher RPM before it shifts. But without it, it bogs down at too low RPM before shifting.

I've learned my trucks best towing speed for gas mileage is 59 - 61. Faster and it goes down faster. So I avoid interstates when I can. I don't like towing at 70 mph anyway.

[HappyTrav]

Originally Posted by BillyBass

There no-one on here saying about tire pressure I was told to go about10 lb under max when towing that helps level the trailer.was I miss inform

Quite a few have mentioned increasing tire pressure.

I run the tire pressure at the max cold pressure. The weight carrying capacity of a tire is based on the air pressure. Lower pressure means lower weight capacity.

Bob

[DouglasReid]

Originally Posted by Capt_Chaz

Yes thanks n the tow mode. Salesman said I should keep it off. Is that correct

Salesman was DEAD WRONG.

TH mode moves the shift points to take advantage of the engine's best torque range.

It also locks the Torque Converter sooner to keep it fro slipping and thereby reduces the heat generated in the transmission fluid.

Use TH whenever you are towing that camper.

[BillyBass]

Originally Posted by HappyTrav

Quite a few have mentioned increasing tire pressure.

I run the tire pressure at the max cold pressure. The weight carrying capacity of a tire is based on the air pressure. Lower pressure means lower weight capacity.

Bob

thanks Bob I rather be safe then sorry.I don't want to have any problems or cause a accident. Safe traveling to all

[aircommuter]

Originally Posted by BillyBass

There no-one on here saying about tire pressure I was told to go about10 lb under max when towing that helps level the trailer.was I miss inform

Yes you were. Tire pressure is not used for leveling. Max pressure reduces, heat, swaying and gives the best capacity.

[aircommuter]

Originally Posted by MF5270

Always use tow- haul.

Takes some getting used to hearing longer holds at higher RPM before it shifts. But without it, it bogs down at too low RPM before shifting.

I've learned my trucks best towing speed for gas mileage is 59 - 61. Faster and it goes down faster. So I avoid interstates when I can. I don't like towing at 70 mph anyway.

You wouldn’t have to avoid the interstates here as all towing is 55 max. Crazy however. I think they set the speed at 55 hoping to get 65.

[HDGoose]

Originally Posted by rsdata

Do you carry around a ton of bricks when not towing to be able to get decent ride comfort out of that beast? 80% of my driving is without towing and I want some comfort in the cab when not towing. I have driven and ridden in a few 250 and 350 trucks to know that unless they are loaded somewhat they are awful to ride in. That is my point... gas mileage is not everything.

That certainly was not true of my 2013 RAM 2500 diesel. And my 2020 RAM 3500 dually is not bad. What is "noticeable" vibration or harshness to me is pain to her quickly. And she finds the 3500 just fine. It is not her Dodge Grand Caravan, but it is a truck meant for pulling.

[LawlessFly]

Yes Anderson Hitches are a little pricey but I tow a 3900 lb trailer behind my Tahoe with it and I never have any sway. WD is easy to adjust and the heaviest piece of the hitch is about 30lbs. So very easy to deal with everything about it. Even on interstates where semi’s are flying by I never see sway. And there is no loud creaking when parking the trailer or turning tight corners. I always use tow mode.

[AlaskaErik]

Originally Posted by DouglasReid

Salesman was DEAD WRONG.

TH mode moves the shift points to take advantage of the engine's best torque range.

It also locks the Torque Converter sooner to keep it fro slipping and thereby reduces the heat generated in the transmission fluid.

Use TH whenever you are towing that camper.

A Silverado 1500 with the 5.3, 8 speed and 3.42 has a GCWR of 15,000 lbs. Towing a Geo 15, it is unlikely for the combined weight to exceed 75% of that weight, or 11,250 lbs. Tow/Haul is recommended when towing 75% or more of GCWR. So the salesman was actually correct. GM also says you can use Tow/Haul at lower weights, but there is no advantage to do so.

[DouglasReid]

Originally Posted by AlaskaErik

A Silverado 1500 with the 5.3, 8 speed and 3.42 has a GCWR of 15,000 lbs. Towing a Geo 15, it is unlikely for the combined weight to exceed 75% of that weight, or 11,250 lbs. Tow/Haul is recommended when towing 75% or more of GCWR. So the salesman was actually correct. GM also says you can use Tow/Haul at lower weights, but there is no advantage to do so.

As I said, taking advantage of the engine's best TQ range and keeping the Xmsn fluid cooler are both good things.

You can disagree, or argue for the sake of arguing but the truth is the truth.

Just because you CAN............Does NOT mean you SHOULD!!

[Mandog]

Hi,
You’ve been given some sound advise by several posters. I’ve been hauling trailers since the early 80’s and am still learning different things. I’m an NREMT and firefighter. The accidents I have seen involving campers have been from lack of experience driving and setting up the equipment. I agree your trailer tongue is down a little as is the rear of your truck some. This does increase the bucking and imbalances the towing. A cheap Harbor Freight WDH would be fine as I have seen them used for years. These hitches raise the trailer and rear of the truck pushing down on the front end to balance the load back out. Trust me you will feel and like the difference it makes. I also think you should run your tires at max cold pressure when towing. Does this trailer have brakes. I would think so. Do a brake test. Push the controller all the way up and see if the back of your truck sinks down or the trailer wheels slide. If so the brakes are adjusted up enough. If just a drag then you need to jack up the trailer and adjust the brakes. That helps a lot also on the stress to your truck.
Measure the top of the wheel well on the rear and the same on the front before hooking up the trailer. Then hook up the trailer. If your WDH is set correctly your front end should be no more than 1/2” off from the original measurement. The rear shouldn’t be down more than 1- 1/2” . I use 1” for my set ups. Do this and you will be happy i garuntee it. Your truck is very capable for this.

[mharrel]

I don't understand the need for WDHs. I pull a TT of 4600 lb dry weight with a Nissan 2500 van. I have absolutely no trouble with sway. Yes, I can feel it when I meet an 18 wheeler on a 2 lane road, but it's not a problem. I also pull a car hauler that is 4600 lbs empty. Put a 3500 lb car in there and it's 8000 lbs. I use ball hitches with different lifts and drops so that my trailer and van are level. I have never felt the need for a WDH because I have never encountered the problems that some people have. Maybe it's the Nissan--it's massive.