Towing Question

[InvalidID]

I'm running a 97 Burban 1500 LT. It's rated for about 6500lbs, I've got a class V hitch on it, with a nice weight distributing set from Reese. There's a trans cooler that came with it, and it also came with a trailer brake controller. The guy I bought it from used it to tow his RV, a race car, and random other goodies around for a few years.

Now I'm hauling a trailer rated at about 7500 lbs around the country. I would be pretty sure it's closer to about 8k total, as it's rated to 7500 loaded, and my wife doesn't understand when loaded is LOADED... LOL I know I'm working the tranny pretty hard. I make sure to go easy on it when we're in hill country of course. All the same I'm pretty well passed the rated weight, and I can see a TINY bit of black creeping into the fluid. I know it's gotten hot.

So besides a bigger cooler, what else can I do that's not going to break the bank? I was thinking shift kit would help right from the start. Quicker shifts, less slipping, less heat, longer life. Right?

Towing in 3rd is an option as well. I know the OD in the 4l60e is gonna get hot fast when being worked, and of course shifting up and down... Any other tricks I should know?

Thanks all!

[DaleK]

Flush your coolers. Maybe even a fan upgrade? Pay attention to where the load is on the trailer. Maybe look into some air bags or another upgrade for your suspension

[InvalidID]

Yeah, it took me awhile to get things loaded right in the trailer. Needed more in the back for sure. With the weight distributing hitch it's a lot better. Right now my only concern is the tranny if I pull any major hills. I don't want it giving out on me in the boonies somewhere.

Any other warning signs the trans is giving up? It doesn't seem to slip so that's a plus. Just the fluid isn't the same bright red it once was.

[coolrunnin]

Temp gauge and a bigger sump pan increasing capacity.

Maybe a bigger cooler and its own fan.

[Ozarks Tom]

My '02 Sub has a "Tow & Haul" feature on the gear shift, which for all intents and purposes just eliminates the OD unless I'm on flat ground. If it were me, I'd just stick it in 3rd and go. I've hauled an 18' trailer carrying 700 board feet of green pine lumber through the Ozarks with no problem, and without all the extra tranny accessories. I noticed the odometer is just about to roll over 250k, and I'll drive it until it leans up against the curb and breathes it's last breath.

One anecdote from years past about brake controllers. I had a 20' boat trailer with "Buddy Bearings", and over greased one wheel bearing, which allowed grease to coat the brake shoes on that wheel. We're literally talking the tail wagging the dog.

[fordy]

...............I'd install an electric temp gauge in the return line just before the fluid is going back into the trany . IF , your fluid is 'burned' , you should immediately drop the pan , install a new filter and fluid.......synthetic is best !
..............You should also determine the rear axle ratio , as it maybe too High to tow a trailer weighing in excess of GM's spec's . My prediction is you will be visiting a trany shop fairly quickly ! REmember , fluid expands as it gets hot , so it is very easy to overfill IF you add fluid when the system is cold based upon the level as indicated on the dip stick . ON my Allison in my 2003 dually , they say to measure the fluid when trany is at 170f , and vehicle is in Park at idle .
.............One last thought.........this vehicle sounds like it has high milage , IF SO , DONOT flush trany , because flushing will break loose all the loose metal parts , torque converter parts , etc . and deposit them where they can do major damage ! Drain the pan and let it sit for several days with the plug OUT...... this will allow the torque converter to drain it's fluid as well . Then , measure the total volume of fluid in the drain pan and that will be approximately what needs to be replaced . I use a set of metal ramps from Northern tool which helps the draining process when draining the TQ ! , fordy

[Bottleneck]

how often are you towing this trailer? the best idea might be a bigger rig.

[Darren]

In the past I've added one temperature gauge and two sending units. One was on the input to the cooler and one on the output of the cooler.

Use a switch to toggle back and forth from input to output and vice versa. That gives you a better idea of what's happening.

[InvalidID]

Originally Posted by Bottleneck

how often are you towing this trailer? the best idea might be a bigger rig.

Bigger rig in spring, unless I get tired of towing.

[InvalidID]

Just a lil update. I pulled the rig from Kerrville Tx to Medford Or without any real issues. I went through Albuquerque to Flagstaff, then over into Bakersfield and up over the Siskiyou Pass.
For those of you that don't know, that's a LOT of going up. Way up!

She pulled like a 20 mule team. Slow, stuborn, and hungry. But she did manage to make the pull without anything major giving up. At one point in Bakersfield the stop and go traffic gave her a little fit and the speedo stopped and there was nothing above 2nd. I let it cool, put it in 4wd and drove around the parking lot. I figured the VSS was hot, and I think I was right. Speedo kicked back in on the 2nd pass and she started shifting again.

I do think I'd prefer a bigger rig for anymore hauling. It's not that I mind doing 25 over the major passes, but I would like the added stopping power coming back down...

[Sawmill Jim]

Well shucks get you a Duramax Diesel buddy had one it would hold speed across Co. up hill or down .That built in motor brake is a real joy on holding correct speed . That Allison transmission is a real deal too

[Bottleneck]

Eh, I would get something with a manual in it, only one clutch and you can only blame yourself if it burns up.

[Sawmill Jim]

Yea try a 10 speed Road Ranger

[InvalidID]

Well, on the flats I was cruising about 60-65. Could have done more but I went over a scale and saw I was at 10500lbs on the trailer so I thought better of it. A nice duramax would be just the ticket though!

[Bottleneck]

There's a guy on FTE that built a 79 f350 with a twin turbo 6.0 Perkins and a 10 speed. Talk about a sweet ride.

I have a 59 that was my grandpa's that I'm intending to put a 5x4 into.