jerr529
NY
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Joined: 09/01/2006
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I just came from a trip i have a chevy 5.3 v8 with tow package and 3.73 a automatic trans,I have a Tow haul mode in the chevy.My question is i did alot of travel in mountain area with alot long stretches of up and down driving.I drove in drive and i could feel the engine trying to kick in alot so i decided to try driveing in 3rd gear.even though i was in tow mode i found it less demanding on the engine and the RPMs were higher almost around 2500 to 2800.It rode very well after that.I did seem to use alot more fuel inn the lower gear.Is it advisable to tow in 3rd and while in 3rd gear or Should i Just do AWAY WITH THE HAUL MODE.And last could i damage my engine by driving in 3rd gear while pulling.
jerry
23ss Roo 09
chevy 09 Silverado 5.3 V8 3.73
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SoCalDesertRider
SanDiego, CA, USA
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You did just what you should do when the transmission starts hunting. There is no problem with towing in 3rd (direct, 1:1) gear. It will not harm the vehicle in any way.
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smkettner
Southern California
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Fuel is cheap compared to a new transmission.
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mkirsch
Rochester, NY
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Joined: 04/09/2004
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Tow/Haul mode is not the same as "leave it in 3rd gear." Use T/H and YOUR HEAD for best results... If the truck is "hunting" then drop to 3rd.
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ib516
Up here!
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If it were my truck, I'd tow in 3rd and with tow/haul on.
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Cat320
Western AR
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Joined: 11/01/2005
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Check the owner's manual...see what GM says.
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jerr529
NY
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Thanks but i have found most would do what i did ,only time i ever did this was because upstate ny in mountain area there are alot steep road and instead of down shifing i just left in 3rd gear in fact i left in 3rd all way home where there wasnt any hills and long streatches of inclined roads. I did seem to use more gas in 3rd gear
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Jayco-noslide
Galesburg,Il., USA
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I have that same motor/rearend combo. Maybe my small 5th wheel is heavier but in tow/haul mine never shifts into 4th overdrive so I am always towing in 3rd, no need to put the gearshift in 3rd as the computer is already telling it to stay in 3rd. I wonder if it could have been your torque converter kicking in and out instead of the trans shifting. That's what mine did for a long time before I replaced the trans(at 130,000 miles)
Jayco-noslide
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jerr529
NY
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no slide i have new 09 chevy and it was just going up steep grades that i felt it a little sluggish si i drop to 3rd gear and seen the rpm jump to 2500 plus .no sure if the torque covertor was kicking in ?
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92DakotaHD
Indiana
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Joined: 09/13/2006
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Cat320 wrote:Check the owner's manual...see what GM says.
GM doesn't say anything. They kinda say enough to cover their but, but not enough so that you can point at the manual and say I did it right.
I have a Tahoe with the 5.3L and 3.42s.
Tow/Haul Mode is NOT the same as "Leave it in 3rd". Tow/Haul just moves the shift points around and I love it. Stretches out shifts into 2nd and 3rd. I tow the camper in 3rd only. Better safe than sorry.
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