UPDATE Enough truck to tow my boat !! HELP!! UPDATE

[kenhall230]

I just recently bought an18ft Tracker Targa walk through with a dry weight of 1550 lbs. I'm currently looking at a Silverado Regular Cab with a V8 4.8L in it. Is that enough motor to tow my boat on the express way without using a tow haul feature? I do not like the tow haul feature because it puts so much impact on your transmission at low speeds. Please tell me what you know from experience.

Ken

 

[agallant80]

I only used the tow/haul mode when the tranny started to search, newer trucks are smart enough that they don't have that issue anymore. As for a 4.8 I think you will be well within the limits but google it. All of the owners manuals and towing information are out on the internet. What is the year and what is the rear end ratio?

 

[bigdee]

That is more than enough truck. 1550# plus trailer would be a cake walk.

 

[H20Rat]

I do not like the tow haul feature because it puts so much impact on your transmission at low speeds. Please tell me what you know from experience.

You may have heard some mis-information from someone... That is ABSOLUTELY incorrect! The tow button does one, possibly two things. First and foremost, it keeps the transmission out of the higher gear(s). Second, depending on vehicle, it may change the shift points of the transmission, it will take more rpm to shift to the next gear.

Anyway, both of those things are actually BETTER for your transmission and engine, they are just harder on the fuel budget. Transmissions die from high load/low input shaft rpm. That is the worst running condition you can give it. It is far better for your engine and trans to shift down with a tow button and let both of them rev up a little. At lower speeds, there should be little, if any impact. (other than maybe higher shift points)

 

[haulnazz15]

Just about any vehicle short of a 4 cylinder will be able to tow that load, so a 1/2 ton truck will be more than adequate. Even the lowest option on the modern 1/2 tons should be able to tow well over 6Klbs, so towing 2500 (boat + trailer) is a cakewalk. Also, I think you're misinformed on the function of the tow/haul mode. It doesn't hurt anything at all, it normally just changes shift points and/or locks out overdrive. Like smokin' said, it'll use a bit more fuel, but certainly isn't harder on your transmission.

 

[gtochris]

How is this even a question?

 

[bruceb58]

You may have heard some mis-information from someone... That is ABSOLUTELY incorrect! The tow button does one, possibly two things. First and foremost, it keeps the transmission out of the higher gear(s). Second, depending on vehicle, it may change the shift points of the transmission, it will take more rpm to shift to the next gear.

On the Silverado(This is the way mine works) it only changes the shift points. It still goes into all the gears.

 

[jkust]

That's the tow rating of my 4 wheeler and so your 4.8 liter will tow that light of a load with ease. You will be among those saying, "I couldn't even feel it back there".

 

[Frank Acampora]

I used to tow a 21 foot cuddy, 3900 pound load with a Chevy S10 4.3 V6. No problems except fuel mileage sucked while towing. The Silverado is way more than enough truck for your current rig and will even be enough when you get 2-foot-itis and step up to a bigger hull. (currently I tow with a 5.3 Silverado and get better gas milage while towing and as mentioned above it is like there is nothing behind me. I also have the tow/haul mode but usually don't use it because as described in the manual, it is not necessary to use it on light loads. It was designed for loads near the towing capacity of the truck.

 

[Bartine]

Use the tow/haul mode when towing regardless. It ups the shift points of your truck and increases the line pressure of the transmission making "firmer" shifts. That impact you are talking about is better for the transmission than a soft mushy shift that allows the clutches to slip.

 

[Mi duckdown]

What frank posted. read the owners manual.

 

[MH Hawker]

If its under 5000 pounds you dont need to use it.

 

[four winns 214]

I have four years experience towing a much larger boat than yours with a 4.8L Silverado. I always used Tow/Haul mode because the owners manual said to use it. I equipped the truck with a Scanguage II that, among other things, displays transmission fluid temperature (TFT). After making a pit stop, I could always tell when I forgot to engage Tow/Hau when I got back out on the road-- the TFT was elevated. Re-engage Tow/Haul, the TFT dropped.

 

[jestor68]

If it helps, Tracker lists the "package" weight of the Targa V-18 at 3373-3422 (depending on the model)with a 115 Merc 4 stroke.

 

[Mi duckdown]

Four wins. you also need to read the manual, how TOW/ HAUL Works.????

 

[bruceb58]

I have four years experience towing a much larger boat than yours with a 4.8L Silverado. I always used Tow/Haul mode because the owners manual said to use it. I equipped the truck with a Scanguage II that, among other things, displays transmission fluid temperature (TFT). After making a pit stop, I could always tell when I forgot to engage Tow/Hau when I got back out on the road-- the TFT was elevated. Re-engage Tow/Haul, the TFT dropped.

I agree. The elevated shift points will make the shifts crisper and less heat generated.

 

[Mi duckdown]

So to answer kenhall230 NO. That was my job at GM testing/ towing all kinds of trailers with 1/2 ton to 3/4 from MI. to CA.

 

[bruceb58]

So to answer kenhall230 NO. That was my job at GM testing/ towing all kinds of trailers with 1/2 ton to 3/4 from MI. to CA.

Out of curiosity what did you do for GM? I worked for them as well as well as some friends in the transmission group. How long ago was this?

 

[Silvertip]

As others have pointed out, Tow/Haul does not lock out OD (or any other function for that matter) on GM trucks. It raises shift points and line pressure to firm up the shifts. My Yukon goes into OD at 59 MPH using Tow/Haul and will drop out of OD at about 56-57 MPH. That button is provided for a reason. It is there for advised that you use it when towing moderate and above loads.

 

[gtochris]

IF its under 5000 pounds you dont need to use it.

Says who?
As noted before, firmer shift points are better, increased line pressure, the transmission doesn't want to shoot right into OD. I used it every time I towed unless I was pulling a PWC or something really light. Tow/ Haul cuts down on the shifts and is designed for towing.