Topic: TT towing

[cammper man]

I am new to the club and  am wondering if my 04 AV 1500 with 3:73 will pull a 26 ft. TT . I know it will pull it short  distance but the wife wants to take the kids to the Dells its about a 6hr. trip on mostly flat ground .  The trailer is 5800 lb. I have equalizer hitch and sway controle What do ya think ???????? 

[Richie_Rich]

That's a pretty heavy trailer, but if it's pretty flat you should be OK.
Do you have a good trans cooler and a temp gauge?

We bought our 2500 because my '02 Durango 4.7L with 4.10's was having big time trouble towing our 27' 4800lb trailer.

[cammper man]

I have a temp gauge but not a cooler any thoughts on what kind to get ?  I am also installing airbags for better handeling.  

[bluedevil]

I have a temp gauge but not a cooler any thoughts on what kind to get ?  I am also installing airbags for better handeling.  

Any local tranny shop can install a tranny cooler for ya for under $150


http://www.stylintrucks.com/parts.aspx?partfamilyid=1297

[MyBigToy]

I'm partial to the stacked plate coolers - B&M or Long Manufacturing (Tru-Cool) make them since they are less susceptible to damage. Get at least a 24-26000 btu unit.

[FlaBouy]

I am new to the club and  am wondering if my 04 AV 1500 with 3:73 will pull a 26 ft. TT . I know it will pull it short  distance but the wife wants to take the kids to the Dells its about a 6hr. trip on mostly flat ground .  The trailer is 5800 lb. I have equalizer hitch and sway controle What do ya think ???????? 

About the same as my Twin axle trailer with my 22' Wellcraft... With Fuel we are about 5800#'s. I pulled a few times between Panama City and Pensacola (3 hrs) with my 04 and 3.73's... Mostly flat... Mostly interstate driving at 60-65 mph once in a thunderstorm...

Av will haul it fine, but like everyone else, I suggest a TOC if you plan on doing this a lot. My Tru-Cool uses a bypass orifice to bypass oil until it warms up and viscosity drops. It will then allow fluid to flow across the coils and start cooling...

[Richie_Rich]

I would go with a cooler with a built in fan.
Here are some from Summit

[rmcardam]

I am new and have a follow up question. Everyone seems to be recommending a transmission cooler for towing, I thought that was included as part of the towing package. I have an '08 LTZ that I am planning to tow a 32' with a dry weight of 4,900 lbs. Fully loaded it will probably be about 5,800 lbs.  I have the 5.3 liter with a 3.73 and towing package.  Are the recommendations to add an additional cooler?

[oHIobellboy]

I am new and have a follow up question. Everyone seems to be recommending a transmission cooler for towing, I thought that was included as part of the towing package. I have an '08 LTZ that I am planning to tow a 32' with a dry weight of 4,900 lbs. Fully loaded it will probably be about 5,800 lbs.  I have the 5.3 liter with a 3.73 and towing package.  Are the recommendations to add an additional cooler?

If you've got the stock one, then you'll be fine.

[MyBigToy]

I can't speak for the Gen 2 Av but I can vouch that the Gen 1 Av with towing package DID NOT have an auxiliary TOC. It's easy enough to check - either check under the front of the Av or pop the hood and look in front of the radiator/condensor. There should be a small cooler there is there is an aux. Don't mistake the very small power steering cooler for an aux TOC, though.

Based on the high temperatures that today's vehicles run at - typically coolant temps of 200-210* under "normal" operating conditions, I would not tow without an aux TOC. I just bought an 07 Vette and see 205* tranny oil temps in my daily commute home in stop-and-go highway traffic, with ambient temps of 90-95*. I'm going to monitor it this summer to see just how high it goes before deciding whether to slap a TOC on it or not. My coolant temps run about 210* under these conditions.

[Richie_Rich]

I am new and have a follow up question. Everyone seems to be recommending a transmission cooler for towing, I thought that was included as part of the towing package. I have an '08 LTZ that I am planning to tow a 32' with a dry weight of 4,900 lbs. Fully loaded it will probably be about 5,800 lbs.  I have the 5.3 liter with a 3.73 and towing package.  Are the recommendations to add an additional cooler?

Like MBT mentioned take a look for an auxiliary cooler.
32' is a big trailer, especially with 3.73 gears.
I would definitely get a trans temp gauge to keep an eye on temps.

I suppose I'm a bit paranoid from the experience with my '02 Durango, but it's a bit unnerving when the trans temps keep climbing above 250 deg and your in the middle nowhere.

Let us know how it goes.

[cadboy1]

My 02 did have the factory aux cooler and the towing package was included with the Z71. My 03 the towing package was extra $$ and it did not have the Aux cooler..thanks general I added one though 

[KY_BOB]

If you've got the stock one, then you'll be fine.

I agree.

[KY_BOB]

I can't speak for the Gen 2 Av but I can vouch that the Gen 1 Av with towing package DID NOT have an auxiliary TOC. It's easy enough to check - either check under the front of the Av or pop the hood and look in front of the radiator/condensor. There should be a small cooler there is there is an aux. Don't mistake the very small power steering cooler for an aux TOC, though.

I'm not 100% sure about the AV's but the '11 Silvy with towing package does have one.  I suspect the AV's do too.  I haven't towed with it yet but I've not seen my trans temps over 170 yet durring our recent 100deg weather.