How to tow a trailer with Silverado?

[bikeoutback]

I feel dumb for asking cause I've towed things for buddies before such as boats and trailers with 4 wheelers and know what I'm doing as far as extra room, set mirrors wider to see, longer stopping distances and so forth. My question comes in that all those things were heavy so I hit the trailer button on the shifter which I believe keeps it out of overdrive and away we went. Coming up I'm moving and going to be pulling a 6'x12' empty cargo trailer down 150 miles, filling it up and pulling it back. I read in the ice house forum about people pulling XXXX pound trailer at XX speed in overdrive. Now I'm wondering do I just hit that little trailering button and go still or only when trailer is full or how do I know? I'd rather be safe than sorry so even if it sounds dumb I'm asking.

[pureinsanity]

Its personal preference vs load weight of the trailer. I know several people who use Overdrive and who dont use over drive when pulling things. It all depends to be honest. how heavy is your load going to be? are you going to be going up hills or is it all flat driving?

[PerchJerker]

I don't remember exactly how it worked when I had a silverado, but I know there was a tow/haul button or something like that. The function from that button was to raise the rpms for the shift points ---- ie. it kept the automatic transmission in lower gears more of the time, which gave the truck more power for starting and more engine breaking for stopping. It was NOT an overdrive lockout and did nothing at high speeds.

I don't remember how I stayed out of overdrive with my silverado --- either there was an overdrive button that I used, or I dropped the shifter from D to 3 .......

[whos_on_first]

PerchJerker is correct, it is not an overdrive lockout. The only way to lockout the overdrive is to put in in 3 (or 1 or 2) instead of D on the shift column. The tow/haul changes shift points and transmision slip.

I personally only use it if I'm towing in town or up/down hills where the trany will up/down shift a lot. Flat freeway/highway it doesn't really do anything for you...IMHO...

[bikeoutback]

So to put into little more perspective I'll be towing the trailer down 35 from just short of Duluth to Apple Valley, 35s to 35Es to 77s right into Apple Valley so all highway, mostly flat till the cities. Sounds like if I push the button I'd be fine on the way down since it will pretty much be in OD down the highway till the cities and in the cities is where I would want it anyways. I'll read the manual also but at least know if I can probably not use the button on the drive down at least with it empty. Mostly I just don't want to be burning up all that gas in 3rd gear if it's not necessary but sounds like it's not an OD lock out anyways. I also don't want to be burning up my tranny though on the other hand.

[cold one sd]

The way I see it, Tow/Haul is for towing or hauling loads. When I tow something I use it because that is what it is for. When I pull my fifth wheel, 18 1/2'boat or wheel house I use it. When I pull my 14' boat or my atv I don't. The only thing I really notice is that my shift points are at higher rpms and it shifts more when in hilly areas. I keep an eye on my transmission temperature also.

[larryz]

Watch your tach that will give you an indication of your fuel consumption.

[Pat K]

Your tranny will usually let you know.

If the truck is constantly downshifting, hit the tow button on the shifter. A gallon of gas or 2 is a lot cheaper than a transmission rebuild.

[GrizzlyAdams]

Quote:

If the truck is constantly downshifting, hit the tow button on the shifter. A gallon of gas or 2 is a lot cheaper than a transmission rebuild

This is what i have always been taught. If your truck is shifting a lot then you should have it out of overdrive. My dad has always told me to tow things with overdrive off. The more the tranny shifts the worse it is on it, especially when pulling things. Also remember that even though the trailer may be empty it will still be catching wind and causing resistance which may also cause the tranny to shift more. I would start out with it off and turn it on when you reach full speed on the highway on level surfaces. When you start approaching hills and such I would switch it back off and on again when you level back out, etc. As stated it is better to burn up more gas than to burn up the tranny. Kind of like cheap insurance. When in doubt turn it off. The difference in savings isn't going to be that much. Pulling things always uses more gas, empty or loaded (but will use more when fully loaded). Good luck and let us know how it went.

[slammer]

I have a 2010 GMC 1/2 ton crew cab w/6.2 liter. Recently was pulling a large (18ft) cargo trailer into a 20 mph wind. Started in drive and truck had no problem pulling except gas mileage showed 8 mpg. Hit the tow/haul button and milage started to climb to 11.5mpg even at higher rpm. The new GM pickups have a 6 speed tranny. Had a 07 with 5.3 liter and didnt matter what I would pull, truck would always shift and got poor mpg. This bigger motor has way more power and as of now is getting better mpg.

[bikeoutback]

Thanks for all the advice... last time was easier since Dad just pulled the trailer for me with his Dodge Diesel which pretty much yanks a fully loaded 6x12 cargo trailer down the highway at 70mph like it's a rag doll. Doubting I'm going to be as lucky with my truck, not that the Chevy can't pull it well just difference between his 2500 Diesel and my 1500 Unleaded.

[reddog]

I dont think you could get enough load in a 6X12 to worry about it un less youre hauling drywall or bricks. If youre just moving furniture or the likes I wouldnt worry at all.

[ozzie]

Yeah with a trailer like that you should be fine and probably not notice much at all......I tow my boat, 14 ft with floor and 15hp motor, down the road in just regular overdrive unless I hear the engine working harder. I tried the tow button but it was overkill for the load that I tow and it seemed to drain the gas tank a little quicker.

[Matt C]

I don't remember exactly how it worked when I had a silverado, but I know there was a tow/haul button or something like that. The function from that button was to raise the rpms for the shift points ---- ie. it kept the automatic transmission in lower gears more of the time, which gave the truck more power for starting and more engine breaking for stopping. It was NOT an overdrive lockout and did nothing at high speeds.

I don't remember how I stayed out of overdrive with my silverado --- either there was an overdrive button that I used, or I dropped the shifter from D to 3 .......

+1

[Fredd]

like others.....listen for a lot of shifting. if it's not, not to worry. if it's hilly or heavy, you will probably want to find 3 on the gear selector.

[bikeoutback]

Well I did go down with the trailer and back up this past weekend. I just pushed the trailer button since it was stated it just adjust the shift points and isn't an OD override.

It pulled great both empty and full, little too great that I was running at around 70-75mph down and up 35 so it stayed in 3rd much more often than dropping into OD. Wasn't hard on anything it didn't seem and empty I did take it off trailer mode and no change, still stayed in 3rd. I was just plowing too much wind I think at that speed to get it into OD to cruise. Not a big deal just cost me a bit more than a tank of gas doing it and gave me a better understanding of why people tow boats and campers at those slower speeds. Guess they would rather see the speedo go down instead of the gas gauge.