R-pod Owners Forum : Chevy Silverado Tow Package

R-pod Owners Forum : Chevy Silverado Tow Package http://www.rpod-owners.com/ This is an XML content feed of; R-pod Owners Forum : I need HELP!!! : Chevy Silverado Tow Package Copyright (c) 2006-2009 Web Wiz Forums - All Rights Reserved. Wed, 20 May 2026 22:23:17 +0000 Fri, 12 Oct 2018 08:17:07 +0000 http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss Web Wiz Forums 9.64 360 www.rpod-owners.com/RSS_post_feed.asp?TID=12291 R-pod Owners Forum http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_images/web_wiz_forums.png http://www.rpod-owners.com/ Chevy Silverado Tow Package : Good info guys. Didn't know... http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=12291&PID=116324#116324 Author: Subzilla
Subject: 12291
Posted: 12 Oct 2018 at 8:17am

Good info guys. Didn't know the T/H mode adds extra amp output. I haven't really experimented with this but rather just drive most of the time in 5th (6 speed trans) down the highway and try to not let the engine lug too much by manually downshifting as needed.....guess it's the old time straight shifting driver in me. Heading out this weekend on a trip, will experiment with T/H mode.]]> Fri, 12 Oct 2018 08:17:07 +0000 http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=12291&PID=116324#116324 Chevy Silverado Tow Package : For our F-150, which has a tow/haul... http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=12291&PID=116294#116294 Author: GlueGuy
Subject: 12291
Posted: 11 Oct 2018 at 10:46am

For our F-150, which has a tow/haul mode as well, it changes the shift profile. Otherwise, the default profile is generally optimized for "economy". In our case, when we start getting into the hills at relatively slow speeds, it will want to shift to a gear at 1200-1300 RPM. That is just too darn low. I will tap the tow/haul button to get it to optimize more for pulling, and it will drop a gear and go to ~~ 1900 RPM, which works a lot better when climbing hills.

I know it's a different brand/model, but I figured they all work similarly.

]]> Thu, 11 Oct 2018 10:46:29 +0000 http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=12291&PID=116294#116294 Chevy Silverado Tow Package : I'm sorry, what Andy is experiencing... http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=12291&PID=116289#116289 Author: wooleeman
Subject: 12291
Posted: 11 Oct 2018 at 7:15am

I'm sorry, what Andy is experiencing is normal.]]> Thu, 11 Oct 2018 07:15:26 +0000 http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=12291&PID=116289#116289 Chevy Silverado Tow Package : With my 2014 Silverado w/ 5.3L... http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=12291&PID=116288#116288 Author: wooleeman
Subject: 12291
Posted: 11 Oct 2018 at 7:13am

With my 2014 Silverado w/ 5.3L and 6 speed, I have tried towing both with and without the tow/haul mode. I have found that my mileage is about the same so why not make it easier on the engine using the tow/haul mode. I also appreciate the engine braking when in the hills. And I too believe that what David is experiencing is normal.]]> Thu, 11 Oct 2018 07:13:51 +0000 http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=12291&PID=116288#116288 Chevy Silverado Tow Package : Andy, With my Silverado with... http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=12291&PID=116264#116264 Author: mcarter
Subject: 12291
Posted: 10 Oct 2018 at 1:11pm

Andy,

With my Silverado with tow package, I still had to add a 30A fuse to charge battery thru the trailer connector. The tow/haul switch had no effect.]]> Wed, 10 Oct 2018 13:11:38 +0000 http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=12291&PID=116264#116264 Chevy Silverado Tow Package : Thanks for the information. this... http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=12291&PID=116240#116240 Author: Andy
Subject: 12291
Posted: 09 Oct 2018 at 8:32pm

Thanks for the information. this is a new development with the tow package as in the past 9 months I've made 7-8 trips and used it each time without these problems. It's a new development that's just arisen. Also, when I didn't use the tow package I did not get any charge to the trailer battery. So I'm guessing it only sends charge when in tow package. I asked the dealer about this and they did not know. So maybe it's the dealer!

I did drive it without the tow package with no problems except the charge. I travel with refrigerator on gas option so it's no drain on the battery. We were dispersed camping in the southwest for about 3 weeks and since I use a CPAP i'm pretty conscious of Amps. I have an 80W GoPower Solar panel that works well but nice to have a boost from the TV while on the road.

thanks for all the thoughts, I appreciate it.

]]> Tue, 09 Oct 2018 20:32:27 +0000 http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=12291&PID=116240#116240 Chevy Silverado Tow Package : Originally posted by mcarterThanks... http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=12291&PID=116239#116239 Author: Guests
Subject: 12291
Posted: 09 Oct 2018 at 7:31pm

Originally posted by mcarter

Thanks David, appreciate that input. I agree with you Andy is experiencing normal stuff. I will rethink my tow switch use and test on the road.

Your welcome. However, to each his own. I got to thinking about the situation and decided that the trailer becomes "heavy" at highway speeds - due to the increased wind resistance. In town, I would not likely bother with tow/haul. Also, the battery situation was an issue.

I agree with you - it sounds like normal tow/haul to me. It's "different" and takes getting used to.

]]> Tue, 09 Oct 2018 19:31:49 +0000 http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=12291&PID=116239#116239 Chevy Silverado Tow Package : Thanks David, appreciate that... http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=12291&PID=116238#116238 Author: mcarter
Subject: 12291
Posted: 09 Oct 2018 at 7:18pm

Thanks David, appreciate that input. I agree with you Andy is experiencing normal stuff. I will rethink my tow switch use and test on the road.]]> Tue, 09 Oct 2018 19:18:40 +0000 http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=12291&PID=116238#116238 Chevy Silverado Tow Package : Originally posted by mcarterDavid,... http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=12291&PID=116237#116237 Author: Guests
Subject: 12291
Posted: 09 Oct 2018 at 7:01pm

Originally posted by mcarter

David, do you use the tow/haul mode? I don't

When I got my 2009 Silverado, I didn't use T/H. I also didn't use it the first year that I had the 2013. However, I started using it and have grown to like it. The engine turns less RPMs in normal driving mode but, as you know, lower RPMs don't always equate to optimal power or best fuel economy. In normal driving, sometimes the engine would "lug" a little before downshifting and the shifts, in general, seemed more frequent. Also, higher RPMs pump the transmission fluid faster - helping to keep temps down on hot days.

T/H also adjusts the alternator output - increasing for the additional demand of the trailer. This might be helpful for those that tow with the fridge on 12v. Normally, the alternator will "cut back" to "exercise" the battery (the dash voltage gauge drops to about 10) and run that way for a while. With the trailer hooked up, it would run for a LONG time in this mode - exercising the camper batteries also. I used to sometimes arrive at a campsite with batteries at less than 100%. In T/H the alternator outputs a constant 14V+.

]]> Tue, 09 Oct 2018 19:01:18 +0000 http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=12291&PID=116237#116237 Chevy Silverado Tow Package : David, do you use the tow/haul... http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=12291&PID=116232#116232 Author: mcarter
Subject: 12291
Posted: 09 Oct 2018 at 6:40pm

David, do you use the tow/haul mode? I don't]]> Tue, 09 Oct 2018 18:40:46 +0000 http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=12291&PID=116232#116232 Chevy Silverado Tow Package : Originally posted by AndyI am... http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=12291&PID=116231#116231 Author: Guests
Subject: 12291
Posted: 09 Oct 2018 at 6:36pm

Originally posted by Andy

I am having trouble with my 2016 Silverado tow package that the dealer has not been able to solve. When I engage the tow package on the shift lever at times the engine will rev up ~ 500 RPM on a flat straight road. At other times when I am pulling it uphill and it drops into a lower gear it will not reset once I have crested the hill and am going down, even when the grade assist does not kick in.

For those of you who pull with a Silverado have you experienced anything like this before? Or for that matter anyone with a tow assist package.

thanks for the help

I have a 2013 Silverado 1500 with the 5.3L and what you describe sounds normal to me.

Among other things, tow/haul mode adjusts the shift points of the transmission to keep the engine operating in the "power band". This is typically lower gears/higher engine RPMs. The last "shift" we feel I believe is torque converter lockup and rarely happens in tow/haul. Also, the computer will stay in the lower gear until it is certain that upshifting is OK - typically, not as quickly as in normal driving mode.

Grade assist only comes on after a bit of time going down hill.

In short the ECM (computer) is doing the thinking for us. However, it does not have eyes and it "adjusts" within it's programmed parameters. I don't know which transmission you have but, my 6 speed has the option of "paddle shifting" (like an Indy Car or Formula 1 car). With this, you can always "grab the bull by the horns" if you don't like how the computer is acting.

I am wondering why the dealer is baffled by the situation.

]]> Tue, 09 Oct 2018 18:36:01 +0000 http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=12291&PID=116231#116231 Chevy Silverado Tow Package : Andy, are you talking about the... http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=12291&PID=116229#116229 Author: mcarter
Subject: 12291
Posted: 09 Oct 2018 at 6:24pm

Andy, are you talking about the tow selection switch that delays the overdrive for some amount of time in most cases? It basically makes trans shift at a higher RPM. My manual says it should be used when towing heavy loads. Heavy loads. I tow with a Silverado and a Pod and don't use it. Try this, without any trailer load, engage the switch and see what the truck does. If it does the same thing I'll bet it's better not to use. It makes sense that it jumps to higher RPM it is downshifting out of OD. On the downhill side it is looking for an RPM to upshift.]]> Tue, 09 Oct 2018 18:24:12 +0000 http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=12291&PID=116229#116229 Chevy Silverado Tow Package : I am having trouble with my 2016... http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=12291&PID=116225#116225 Author: Andy
Subject: 12291
Posted: 09 Oct 2018 at 6:05pm

I am having trouble with my 2016 Silverado tow package that the dealer has not been able to solve. When I engage the tow package on the shift lever at times the engine will rev up ~ 500 RPM on a flat straight road. At other times when I am pulling it uphill and it drops into a lower gear it will not reset once I have crested the hill and am going down, even when the grade assist does not kick in.

For those of you who pull with a Silverado have you experienced anything like this before? Or for that matter anyone with a tow assist package.

thanks for the help

]]> Tue, 09 Oct 2018 18:05:11 +0000 http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=12291&PID=116225#116225