Towing with an 07 SS

[Timwayne334]

Can someone point me to a past thread that discusses towing in detail? I am looking for what mods I should do before towing my 21 foot, roughly 3000 lb camper.
Thanks in advance.

[Doc Brown]

I would think the usuall that one would do for any TV. A trans cooler is a must, especially with the SS. W/D hitch and sway control, which I'm sure you already have. And a good brake controller, Tekonsha Prodigy is the best bang for the buck. Air bags for the rear would be a nice add on, but not mandatory. The W/D hitch should keep it level and stable. There aren't any custom fit extension mirrors for the TBs. I use a cheap set of $17 strap on mirrors.

Here's an excellent write up about hitch setup: http://www.rv.net/forum/index.cfm/fuseaction/thread/tid/17730894.cfm

Are you quoting the dry weight of your trailer? Mine's 3500# loaded, so I'm pretty confident that a 21 foot loaded is going to be closer to 4500#. Especially when considering the wieght of options like A/C. When calculating what you're towing, use the GVWR of the trailer, not the dry weight. Better yet, take it to a CAT scale and weigh it while its loaded for a trip.

[DucatiSS]

Air bags for the rear would be a nice add on, but not mandatory. The W/D hitch should keep it level and stable.

:iagree: with everything above. I think the SS has self leveling bags aready. I know mine does. It always make that constant fart noise when you start it up..

[cgriffin_5139]

Can someone point me to a past thread that discusses towing in detail? I am looking for what mods I should do before towing my 21 foot, roughly 3000 lb camper.
Thanks in advance.
:eek:3000lbs is this loaded or unloaded, if loaded you need to add another 1000lbs on to your weight guesstamit for food, water, and your gear, stuff like that!

[2002SLT]

Just hook it up and go. No mods are necessary.

[DB13]

Just hook it up and go. No mods are necessary.


Hook and roll. You may want to add a trans cooler, depending on the conditions under which you will be towing. :thumbsup:

[ScarabEpic22]

You are ready to tow either 6600 or 6800lbs from the factory with an SS (AWD or 2WD respectively) so nothing else is required. I would highly recommend at least a trans cooler especially if you are looking to take frequent trips. I put one on my 02 and watched the trans temps drop instantly about 15-20F during heavy load situations (4000lbs boat).

Maybe a tune too, the factory programming sucks on the TBs and Voys for all engines.

[2002SLT]

Maybe a tune too, the factory programming sucks on the TBs and Voys for all engines.

A performance tune actually hurts towing capabilities.

[ScarabEpic22]

A performance tune actually hurts towing capabilities.

To a point, just get a tune from a tuner that keeps all the towing. VMS states theirs isnt recommended, but lots of guys do anyway plus I tow with mine and monitor temps. Doesnt get any hotter than stock, but pulls up hills and around town a heck of a lot better. Just leave more TM in a tow tune, thats what I do, and monitor engine and trans temps.

[Timwayne334]

OK. I am a complete newb to mods here so bear with me. Isn't there something that I can get that will let me change how I want my truck to run that day? If I want to tow I dial in my tow tune, if I want to race I dial in my race tune, and if I want to save on gas I walk.
That last one was just a sad attempt at humor.


Also, :thx for everyone's help!

[ssilicon]

You are ready to tow either 6600 or 6800lbs from the factory with an SS (AWD or 2WD respectively) so nothing else is required. I would highly recommend at least a trans cooler especially if you are looking to take frequent trips. I put one on my 02 and watched the trans temps drop instantly about 15-20F during heavy load situations (4000lbs boat).

Maybe a tune too, the factory programming sucks on the TBs and Voys for all engines.

Hi there. I'm quoting you but this is directed necessarily at you entirely but... why do people keep going on about a trans-cooler either that it is required or "highly recommended", when I have yet to see anyone specify how hot is too hot for the trans? Okay, it's nice if you see a 15-20 degree drop with a cooler, but... if the temp it was dropping from in the first place was not dangerous and in fact was reasonable, then there is not a real big need.

Maybe the temps the SS (or non SS for that matter) run while towing are not really very safe, or do in fact risk the health of the tranny. I don't know! But I have not seen anyone actually spell out what the limits are/should be and what is typically seen. I find it odd that GM would risk expensive tranny jobs under their warranty, that they could easily avoid by installing a cooler.

I have an Aeroforce gauge which tells me my trans temp, but I don't know exactly what to watch out for. I appreciate anyone's thoughts on this.

[SpotBlender]

It would be nice to hear more about tranny temps and damage.

Did I not read that the GruesomeXXX tranny explosion was caused by not being warm or hot enough?

Is using a better fluid any help?

Is a 15 to 20 degree drop in temp really any better?

Why didn't ScarabEpic22 not see a precise number (15 to 20 seems vague)?

Also info on the Tunes for different situations, "towing", speed (racing), better fuel econ (walking..... haha). Is it possible?

[Fishhunter911]

I have the VMS tune in my SS and I tow a 3200lbs boat all summer long, no issue with their tune...Just tell them you will be towing.

[Doc Brown]

Hi there. I'm quoting you but this is directed necessarily at you entirely but... why do people keep going on about a trans-cooler either that it is required or "highly recommended", when I have yet to see anyone specify how hot is too hot for the trans? Okay, it's nice if you see a 15-20 degree drop with a cooler, but... if the temp it was dropping from in the first place was not dangerous and in fact was reasonable, then there is not a real big need.

Maybe the temps the SS (or non SS for that matter) run while towing are not really very safe, or do in fact risk the health of the tranny. I don't know! But I have not seen anyone actually spell out what the limits are/should be and what is typically seen. I find it odd that GM would risk expensive tranny jobs under their warranty, that they could easily avoid by installing a cooler.

I have an Aeroforce gauge which tells me my trans temp, but I don't know exactly what to watch out for. I appreciate anyone's thoughts on this.

A couple of hundred bucks versus a couple of grand for a trans rebuild for one. I really think it depends on how often, how long, and where you tow. I'm pretty confident that I don't need the cooler for towing in the flats of Wisconsin, or the rest of the mid-west for that matter. Mountains are a different story. Its doing a lot more work so logic would dictate that its running hotter. I can't see putting one in if the temps are only rising by 20 degrees or so. Pretty much everything I've read says that temps in excess of 200-225 over prolonged periods can dramatically reduce transmission life. Short runs at those temps are considered within the normal operating range. Where you get into trouble is when temps are climbing in the high 200s, even shortly. Trouble is that most people are only towing a few times a year and less than 200 miles at that. So even if they do blow a trans prematurely due to over heating, its usually long after the warranty is out.

I can't say how accurate this chart is, but its roughly in line with other sources I have read: http://www.transmissioncenter.net/TransTemp.htm

How hard was it to install the gauge? I'd like to get one to see whats really happening. I'm planning a trip to Glacier next year and I'm still not sure I want to put a cooler in. I towed to Yellowstone last year, but I have no idea what the trans temps were. That was over a year ago, I've got 91k on it now, over 20k put on since that trip to Yellowstone.

[ScarabEpic22]

Drops the trans temps from ~200F towing to ~180F on hills, back from the danger zone to normal operating temps. Around town its right around 170-185F, so pretty much normal operating temps. Problem with the trans is they overheat, then burn clutches and fluid deteriorates faster than it should. Yes, there are issues running too cool, but make sure you get a LPD (Low Pressue Drop) cooler that bypasses the cooler when temps arent high enough. When you throw in an aftermarket TC, it only generates more heat because it slips more. Ive seen trans temps hauling up the 3000ft pass from sea level near my house in Seattle go from ~180-190F spiking to ~230-240F before my cooler, definitely not good for trans life.

More info, search for transmission coolers and read the threads.

[ssilicon]

Pretty much everything I've read says that temps in excess of 200-225 over prolonged periods can dramatically reduce transmission life. Short runs at those temps are considered within the normal operating range. Where you get into trouble is when temps are climbing in the high 200s, even shortly. Trouble is that most people are only towing a few times a year and less than 200 miles at that. So even if they do blow a trans prematurely due to over heating, its usually long after the warranty is out.

I can't say how accurate this chart is, but its roughly in line with other sources I have read: http://www.transmissioncenter.net/TransTemp.htm

How hard was it to install the gauge? I'd like to get one to see whats really happening. I'm planning a trip to Glacier next year and I'm still not sure I want to put a cooler in. I towed to Yellowstone last year, but I have no idea what the trans temps were. That was over a year ago, I've got 91k on it now, over 20k put on since that trip to Yellowstone.

Thanks Doc for the links and other info. I will definitely be checking them out (after I finish up on Trailvoy 1st of course).

The gauge was pretty easy to put in.

1. I used the 4WD selector cover (since I have AWD all the time, I have no selector).

2. You pop that out and carefully carve out a hole in it the size you need to stick your gauge into.

3. Use fish tape (or a lenth of stiff 10 gauge wire like I did) to fish the gauge end of the aeroforce wire (it detaches from the gauge) from down by where your feet go all the way out of the 4WD selector hole in the dash. Be careful to fish it along the left side so as to not have it snag on anything of import.

4. Plug the wire harness into your gauge and set it (and the cover plate it is mounted in) into the dash.

5. You are left with the excess wire hanging where yur feet go. Fold up the slack and wire tie it. Then use wire tie mounts with 3M (or whatever) stickum on the back up in the inside of your lower dash covers to secure the wire with more wire ties.

6. Plug in the diagnostic port end of the wire (oh yeah, make sure you have enough slack to do that so you might want to plug that in before folding the wire and zip tying it place with the stickums).



Drops the trans temps from ~200F towing to ~180F on hills, back from the danger zone to normal operating temps. Around town its right around 170-185F, so pretty much normal operating temps. Problem with the trans is they overheat, then burn clutches and fluid deteriorates faster than it should. Yes, there are issues running too cool, but make sure you get a LPD (Low Pressue Drop) cooler that bypasses the cooler when temps arent high enough. When you throw in an aftermarket TC, it only generates more heat because it slips more. Ive seen trans temps hauling up the 3000ft pass from sea level near my house in Seattle go from ~180-190F spiking to ~230-240F before my cooler, definitely not good for trans life.

More info, search for transmission coolers and read the threads.

Thanks to you too Scarab. More helpful info. I will look into that as well.

[Warwagon]

Stock you are good to go.
5000LBS in 110 degree weather no trans cooler. And leaving other stuff at the light -- Still!
Jet boat towing in 121 degree weather.

A trans cooler is cheep insurance, But with the troublesome 4L70E:

The New Dextron is better by 2X for high heat life.
So with sun shells breaking, roller clutches going out, and 2nd bands burning up... (All not heat related failures a cooler would help with.) Just wait on a cooler till you drop the built trans in. It will be one less thing to flush the junk out of.

Tunes will help as the engine is running better and usually the shifting is better with less trans slip. The bad side is well this is not a Diesel. Diesel is where the engine meltdowns while under heavy load happens with a hot tune.

Pic of the bigger than the TBSS trailer...

http://www.trailblazerss.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=10836

[jkru]

Can someone point me to a past thread that discusses towing in detail? I am looking for what mods I should do before towing my 21 foot, roughly 3000 lb camper.
Thanks in advance.

Nothing... (other than a scanguage temp sensor for your tranny)

I over tow 8500lbs with no problem, its an excellent tow rig.

It does not hurt to get aditional tranny cooler etc but for what your doing you dont need it. The 4L70E is a very heavy duty tranny and with the 4.10 gearing in the rear you should run pretty cool!

Good Luck!
Jkru

[DFWWIZ]

Get an Aeroforcetech gauge. $227 shipped from Westers. It has 54 different funtions and reads and clears DTCs plus it just plugs into the OBD2 port and will fit the SS plug on the dash.

A couple of hundred bucks versus a couple of grand for a trans rebuild for one. I really think it depends on how often, how long, and where you tow. I'm pretty confident that I don't need the cooler for towing in the flats of Wisconsin, or the rest of the mid-west for that matter. Mountains are a different story. Its doing a lot more work so logic would dictate that its running hotter. I can't see putting one in if the temps are only rising by 20 degrees or so. Pretty much everything I've read says that temps in excess of 200-225 over prolonged periods can dramatically reduce transmission life. Short runs at those temps are considered within the normal operating range. Where you get into trouble is when temps are climbing in the high 200s, even shortly. Trouble is that most people are only towing a few times a year and less than 200 miles at that. So even if they do blow a trans prematurely due to over heating, its usually long after the warranty is out.

I can't say how accurate this chart is, but its roughly in line with other sources I have read: http://www.transmissioncenter.net/TransTemp.htm

How hard was it to install the gauge? I'd like to get one to see whats really happening. I'm planning a trip to Glacier next year and I'm still not sure I want to put a cooler in. I towed to Yellowstone last year, but I have no idea what the trans temps were. That was over a year ago, I've got 91k on it now, over 20k put on since that trip to Yellowstone.