towing

[bojans]

Anyone have any experience towing with an 06 V8?

All I have towed so far is our snowmobile trailer to the UP from Chicago. Weight was around 1500 lbs with a decent wind load since it was enclosed. As I expected it towed well and I could leave it in 6th gear.

This weekend I will be towing our boat to the summer home, it weights around 4000 lbs. Am I still going to be able to tow in OD? Is the trans smart enough to stay in 5th gear if it is searching too much?

 

[BrooklynBay]

It is better to leave it in a lower gear setting when towing such heavy weight. If you usually tow very heavy things, I would suggest that you install the biggest transmission cooler that you could fit. A remote filter with a cooloer collar is also a good idea. AlDive has some pictures of it.

 

[BrooklynBay]

A transmision temperature gauge is also a good idea. Here is the thread from AlDive: http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=127283&highlight=transmission+cooler

 

[BrooklynBay]

Here are some pictures from AlDive:

 

[bojans]

Thanks for the information. I was thinking of adding an aux cooler but my concern is the way that the trans is closed, with no dip stick and no access to a lift I fear filling the trans back up is goign to be problematic. Does anyone know if the tow package gives you a larger trans cooler?

 

[BrooklynBay]

I think it might be easier to just measure your stock cooler, and compare it to the dimensions of an aftermarket cooler that is the biggest size you could fit.

 

[bojans]

I will need to look closer, but I think the 06 only has a cooler built into the radiator.

 

[cwescapexlt4x4]

I will need to look closer, but I think the 06 only has a cooler built into the radiator.

I would have thought so too, since (we) you have the towing package

 

[Bigkondor]

I recently towed my 24' car hauler (empty) 3200 lbs. and was very suprised at the ease of towing. I traded a 99 Escalade with the Vortec 350 and this pulls much better. I guess 45 more H.P. and 1000 lbs. less is the key.I would not leave it in drive, lock out the overdrive and it will stay in 4th gear. When I drove the Escalade across country with the trailer loaded (about 7500 lbs.) had to stay in 3rd the whole time. I had a trans temp.guage and if i tried overdrive at all trans temp would start climbing immediately. Better off to let the engine wind some, it puts it in a stronger torque, H.P. range and moves the fluid through the cooler faster. if you have the towing package dont worry about another cooler if you're only towing 4000 lbs.

 

[bojans]

Thanks guys.

I pulled the grill/bumper yesterday to see what kind of trans cooler I have, it is a decent size. I am thinking of adding an aux filter with a temp guage just for piece of mind and one of my friends suggested I use aluminum tubing with cooling fins for the supply and return lines from the aux filter. Might be a decent setup with a little additional cooling. I will post pictures if I do this.

 

[bojans]

Well towed the 4000 pounds 350 miles to the UP yesterday, got up to 92 degree's yesterday and it towed like a champ when I was on the highway I kept it in 6th gear at about 70-75 mph and had no problem with searching. I didn't have a trans temp so I can't comment on the temp, but it towed great. When I got off the highway on the back roads I shifted into 4th. Very happy with the towing abilities.