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06-01-2020, 07:51 PM
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#1
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Junior Member
Join Date: May 2020
Posts: 11
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Truck is Struggling
I have a Geo Pro 15 and pull it with a Silverado 1500. My first time with a trailer and the truck seems to struggle with the camper. Salesman said with your truck you won’t even feel the trailer. Not what I’m experiencing. Mileage cut in half as well. Any advice.
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06-01-2020, 07:57 PM
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#2
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2019
Posts: 1,401
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Welcome to the forum from New Jersey, Does your truck have tow/haul mode? What motor, do you know what gears? These are some questions that will be asked, Sorry but towing that sail behind your truck is definitely going to put a hurting on fuel mileage.
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06-01-2020, 08:08 PM
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#3
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Junior Member
Join Date: May 2020
Posts: 11
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5.9 9 speed Trans. 2018 model. Yes thanks n the tow mode. Salesman said I should keep it off. Is that correct
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06-01-2020, 08:12 PM
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#4
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Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2017
Location: Portage wi
Posts: 668
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really need a more info about your truck. i pull 7000 lbs 25rb with my 2016 1500 5.3 with max trailering package without issues.
__________________
2011 gray wolf 25rb
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06-01-2020, 08:17 PM
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#5
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: BoCoMo
Posts: 2,784
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If this is like the camper you have.... you should have no problem pulling this unit with your Silverado (unless your truck is on its last leg). It should be almost unnoticeable behind you as you go down the road. What kind of hitch set up are you using? Do you have your brake system adjusted correctly or is it 'dragging' the brakes? Is the truck and camper level? Talk to us and we will get this figured out. And yes, your gas mileage will go down by almost half, by the way YOU drive it. When we get the truck/trailer pulling better, the mileage will get better.
__________________
Brother Les
2013 Forest River Salem Hemisphere SBT312QBUD
2001 CrewCab F-250 7.3 PowerStroke Diesel
SuperChip, BTS transmission, 6.0 Trans Cooler
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06-01-2020, 08:28 PM
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#6
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Junior Member
Join Date: May 2020
Posts: 11
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I’ll take some pics of towing system tomorrow
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06-01-2020, 08:31 PM
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#7
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2019
Posts: 1,401
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I would use tow/haul mode, Changes the shift points , Without it it's going to keep searching for gears.
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06-01-2020, 08:33 PM
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#8
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Site Team
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: Grayson County, Texas
Posts: 21,473
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Capt_Chaz
5.9 9 speed Trans. 2018 model. Yes thanks n the tow mode. Salesman said I should keep it off. Is that correct
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A Chevrolet with a 5.9L engine and a 9 spd transmission? You might want to check that.
__________________
2015 FR Wildcat 295RSX / GMC Sierra
Nights Camped: '13 = 49/'14 = 74/'15 = 74/'16 = 85/'17 = 110/'18 = 111/'19 = 86/'20 =108/'21 = 115/'22 = 135/'23 = 78; Booked for 2024 = 69
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06-01-2020, 08:33 PM
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#9
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Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2017
Location: Portage wi
Posts: 668
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Capt_Chaz
5.9 9 speed Trans. 2018 model. Yes thanks n the tow mode. Salesman said I should keep it off. Is that correct
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this doesnt make sense chevy doesnt have a 5.9 and its a 6 or 8 speed trans
if it has 3.08 or 3.23 rear gears that could be a big issue the 3.42 are the bare min to tow with. have you modified the truck in any way at bigger tires lift or level kits all effect the ability to tow
__________________
2011 gray wolf 25rb
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06-01-2020, 08:41 PM
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#10
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Junior Member
Join Date: May 2020
Posts: 11
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Sorry. 5.3 with m5u 8 speed. Not sure gears will check
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06-01-2020, 08:45 PM
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#11
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Junior Member
Join Date: May 2020
Posts: 11
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No modifications. Just as seen it pic above
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06-01-2020, 08:48 PM
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#12
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Scoundrel
Join Date: Feb 2017
Location: Montrose, Colorado
Posts: 2,786
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Capt_Chaz
5.9 9 speed Trans. 2018 model. Yes thanks n the tow mode. Salesman said I should keep it off. Is that correct
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Always use tow/haul mode when you're pulling your trailer.
__________________
2024 Geo Pro 15TB, 400W Solar, 2 Golf Cart batteries
2015 F-150 5.0L V8 XLT Crew Cab, 4x4, Tow Package, 36 gal tank, 3.55 locker, 1891 payload, Integrated Brake Controller, Roadmaster Active Suspension
Wooden Spoon Survivor
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06-01-2020, 08:50 PM
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#13
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Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2018
Posts: 878
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Also be more specific about what you feel the truck struggling with?
Acceleration? Will be a little sluggish with a few thousand lbs behind you.
Braking? Do you have a brake controller?
Handling? Any sway or bouncing?
Mileage isn't going to be very good with hauling a small apartment behind you. that's typical of towing campers other than popups (because of their low height and low wind resistance).
__________________
2020 Chevrolet 2500 LTZ, 2019 Forest River Wolfpack 23Pack15, 2014 EZGO Golf Cart.
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06-01-2020, 08:50 PM
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#14
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Junior Member
Join Date: May 2020
Posts: 11
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It has 3.42
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06-01-2020, 08:51 PM
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#15
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Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2017
Location: Portage wi
Posts: 668
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Capt_Chaz
Sorry. 5.3 with m5u 8 speed. Not sure gears will check
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if you only have 3.08 then you only have 6200 lbs towing. when i pull with my nitro that has 5000 lbs towing and even with my encolsed trailer empty it sucks big time
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2011 gray wolf 25rb
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06-01-2020, 09:19 PM
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#16
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Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2020
Location: Northern Foothils CA
Posts: 1,395
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Is this the 5.3 Eco. If so, you should have plenty of torque to pull this little trailer. As others have stated, give us as much info as you can about the truck engine.
Your mileage will definitely drop a lot, 50% would not be unexpected. Are you using a weight distribution hitch? Brake controller?
__________________
2021 2205S Rockwood Minilite
2019 F 150 Lariat 3.5 Eco Fx4 Max Tow
Equal-i-zer WDH, 1809 lb payload
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06-01-2020, 09:32 PM
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#17
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2019
Location: Charlotte, NC
Posts: 137
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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]
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06-01-2020, 09:34 PM
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#18
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Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2017
Posts: 2,481
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Quotes like "you won't even know it's back there" are not accurate and completely misleading to people unfamiliar with how towing actually works.
You'll know it's back there. It won't accelerate as it would when it's not connected and getting half the normal MPG with a gasser is pretty normal. It appears that you're in spec so just take it easy and watch those temps (tranny and engine).
You'll want to use Tow mode most of the time. I'll sometimes turn it off if the engine revs too high and it's slowing me down more than I need.
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06-01-2020, 10:01 PM
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#19
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: BoCoMo
Posts: 2,784
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Quote:
Originally Posted by 007matman
Quotes like "you won't even know it's back there" are not accurate and completely misleading to people unfamiliar with how towing actually works.
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007matman...
For over 40 years I have driven a wide range of Rigs and Trailers. This is my statement to the OP and it is true.
"It should be almost unnoticeable behind you as you go down the road."
This is what the OP said that the Salesman told him.
Quote:
Salesman said with your truck you won’t even feel the trailer.
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I said 'almost unnoticeable'. Salesman said,'won't feel trailer'. Both of these statements are close to the truth when towing something like this unit. The fact that the OP 'feels' and 'knows' something is 'wrong', then something is WRONG and hopefully 'we' can help the OP get to the point where he 'feels' that everything is 'right'. I have a 35 ft unit and there are times going down the road when it 'feels' that my unit is not 'back there'. This means that things are dialed in as close to where they should be. Weight distribution.... flat road.... no wind or curves.... correct speed... I have taken this unit from coast to coast and from Canada to the Rio Grande'. When it is dialed in... the trailer is not noticeable, when it is not dialed in due to conditions, it is sometimes white knuckle driving.
Blessings to you.
__________________
Brother Les
2013 Forest River Salem Hemisphere SBT312QBUD
2001 CrewCab F-250 7.3 PowerStroke Diesel
SuperChip, BTS transmission, 6.0 Trans Cooler
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06-01-2020, 10:32 PM
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#20
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Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2018
Posts: 878
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Brother Les
007matman...
For over 40 years I have driven a wide range of Rigs and Trailers. This is my statement to the OP and it is true.
"It should be almost unnoticeable behind you as you go down the road."
This is what the OP said that the Salesman told him.
I said 'almost unnoticeable'. Salesman said,'won't feel trailer'. Both of these statements are close to the truth when towing something like this unit. The fact that the OP 'feels' and 'knows' something is 'wrong', then something is WRONG and hopefully 'we' can help the OP get to the point where he 'feels' that everything is 'right'. I have a 35 ft unit and there are times going down the road when it 'feels' that my unit is not 'back there'. This means that things are dialed in as close to where they should be. Weight distribution.... flat road.... no wind or curves.... correct speed... I have taken this unit from coast to coast and from Canada to the Rio Grande'. When it is dialed in... the trailer is not noticeable, when it is not dialed in due to conditions, it is sometimes white knuckle driving.
Blessings to you.
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Could be. That's why I asked him to give more specifics on what he feels the truck is struggling with. He might have a real issue.
Or it could be that he states that it's his first time with a truck and trailer and his expectations of what "you won't even feel the trailer back there" actually means may have been improperly set by another salesman. Spewing reassuring words to someone that is expressing their novice standing in a situation and looking for guidance in buying the right combination is all too common by both vehicle and trailer salespeople.
__________________
2020 Chevrolet 2500 LTZ, 2019 Forest River Wolfpack 23Pack15, 2014 EZGO Golf Cart.
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