Towing with an '04 1500 Sub.... - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

crazeetxn · 07-10-2012, 03:20 PM

So I bought me a nice trailer the other day (6 1/2 x 12). According to specs, it weighs 1,020 lbs. I'd forgot about the tow/haul option seein how I've always towed with my '86 and it doesn't have that option

I realized it's need while driving in town cause it stays in gear a little longer. Only thing is, when I have it on and even tried with it off, if I have the cruise on, it doesn't take much of a minor incline for it to downshift and jump the RPMS to about 2800. It seems to stay with that for a bit. Eventually it'd drop back to just around 2K.

Is that natural? Should I not be running cruise control when pulling? Didn't seem to be much of an issue when I kept my foot on the gas, but it made for a long road trip.

I also think I need to upgrade my shocks as it squatted a little bit and that's with nothing on the trailer.

Thanks for any info...

RandyP · 07-10-2012, 03:44 PM

No, you are not supposed to use cruise control while towing. Only time I'd try to do it is on a long stretch of level road. Even then all the manuals say you're not supposed to.

**LEEVON** · 07-10-2012, 04:17 PM

The downshifting and high RPM in tow/haul is normal, that's what it is designed to do. It is noticeable around town but I've had several 99-up chevy's and they all feel the same way. As for cruise control, what can it hurt? I don't like it for towing though, because it will downshift too dang far on a hill and run you down into 2nd, RPM's way up. I prefer to leave the cruise off and feather the gas on hills to avoid a downshift. It's way easier on the vehicle that way.

crazeetxn · 07-10-2012, 05:06 PM

Sounds like it was doing it's thing and it didn't like me sticking it in cruise. Just wanted to make sure I wasn't missing something.

Thanks for the info ya'll...

usmcchevy · 07-10-2012, 09:11 PM

Sounds normal, FWIW, I don't use tow/haul unless I have a pretty good load.
Posted via Mobile Device

kylep · 07-11-2012, 05:39 AM

you know i only used that tow haul a few times with my 2000 pound load. i duno about that option really being needed on the open road with a light load

07-10-2012, 03:20 PM	#1
crazeetxn Registered User Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Winnsboro TX Posts: 234	Towing with an '04 1500 Sub.... So I bought me a nice trailer the other day (6 1/2 x 12). According to specs, it weighs 1,020 lbs. I'd forgot about the tow/haul option seein how I've always towed with my '86 and it doesn't have that option I realized it's need while driving in town cause it stays in gear a little longer. Only thing is, when I have it on and even tried with it off, if I have the cruise on, it doesn't take much of a minor incline for it to downshift and jump the RPMS to about 2800. It seems to stay with that for a bit. Eventually it'd drop back to just around 2K. Is that natural? Should I not be running cruise control when pulling? Didn't seem to be much of an issue when I kept my foot on the gas, but it made for a long road trip. I also think I need to upgrade my shocks as it squatted a little bit and that's with nothing on the trailer. Thanks for any info... __________________ 1st - '68 long bed 2nd - '81 SWB Now - '86 SWB, Edelbrock 1406/stock 350/700r4

07-10-2012, 03:44 PM	#2
RandyP Getting Old; Going Broke Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Owasso OK Posts: 2,764	Re: Towing with an '04 1500 Sub.... No, you are not supposed to use cruise control while towing. Only time I'd try to do it is on a long stretch of level road. Even then all the manuals say you're not supposed to. __________________ *Why is every used 350 sbc out of a corvette?* There's only two things that excite a man, expensive toys and real expensive toys. *VEGETARIAN: That's an old Indian word meaning "I don't hunt so good."* When the going gets tough, switch to power tools.

07-10-2012, 04:17 PM	#3
LEEVON Moderator Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Ozark, MO Posts: 4,917	Re: Towing with an '04 1500 Sub.... The downshifting and high RPM in tow/haul is normal, that's what it is designed to do. It is noticeable around town but I've had several 99-up chevy's and they all feel the same way. As for cruise control, what can it hurt? I don't like it for towing though, because it will downshift too dang far on a hill and run you down into 2nd, RPM's way up. I prefer to leave the cruise off and feather the gas on hills to avoid a downshift. It's way easier on the vehicle that way. __________________ '86 GMC C30 Crew ~ '86 C20 Crew ~ '79 K15 Sierra Grande ~ '76 Blazer 2wd ~ '74K10 ~ '71 Cheyenne swb ~'50 3100 bagged ~ '80 Wife ~ Late model kids

07-10-2012, 05:06 PM	#4
crazeetxn Registered User Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Winnsboro TX Posts: 234	Re: Towing with an '04 1500 Sub.... Sounds like it was doing it's thing and it didn't like me sticking it in cruise. Just wanted to make sure I wasn't missing something. Thanks for the info ya'll... __________________ 1st - '68 long bed 2nd - '81 SWB Now - '86 SWB, Edelbrock 1406/stock 350/700r4

07-10-2012, 09:11 PM	#5
usmcchevy Has more rust than truck... Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Ivanhoe, MN Posts: 2,421	Re: Towing with an '04 1500 Sub.... Sounds normal, FWIW, I don't use tow/haul unless I have a pretty good load. Posted via Mobile Device __________________ 1972 Custom/10 SWB, 4.8/4l80e Build thread LSx Swap FAQ index

07-11-2012, 05:39 AM	#6
kylep Registered User Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: San Diego, California Posts: 110	Re: Towing with an '04 1500 Sub.... you know i only used that tow haul a few times with my 2000 pound load. i duno about that option really being needed on the open road with a light load __________________ 2001 Tahoe 1978 K30



Register or Log In To remove these advertisements.

Register or Log In To remove these advertisements.