We just bought a new camper and my truck will be pulling it, questions and tips

I have that tune. I got the most aggressive one. Got it about a year ago. It's helpful, glad I got it.

 

I drove cross country twice in the '80s. 55 mph back then. If you have to go slow, you just go slow.

 

It will do great. Keep it dry though for long hauls. WDH a must. Long holds in 3rd gear for steep grades , knowing you're going to have to keep it a bit below speed limit and you will be fine. Don't stress that you won't be following the pace at long grades. Enjoy the journey!

 

Prepare for the coming snowstorm

 

Definitely run in ECT when you are towing (that’s what it’s for - holds the gears longer).
A lot of people run ECT all the time since the shift patterns are better.

At that weight - I’d stay out of the Overdrive gears (5/6). User manual says use 4 or 5 (on my 17 V6 Auto) but you’ll likely be up/ downshifting a lot in 5 if you are hitting any hills at all - which is a recipe to to overheat a transmission. 4th locks in nicely and at a good RPM range (3800 if I recall). These engines are Atkinson cycle, so they like to run higher RPMs and make their power in the higher RPM ranges.

Just don’t let the jerks on the road make you go faster than you are comfortable with! 60-65 is max for ANY camper. Remember you are towing a house

 

whaaaatt? Off to Idaho tomorrow. Hope we miss it but I brought the winter essentials

 

I agree, its been S4 the whole time. I have an OBD module and app so I have been watching the trans temps the whole trip. And I just can't go over 65 mph even on flat road so people just go around me. I can't see them back there anyway. lol

 

I stay below 65 as well. No problems then.

 

Hah! Nailed all three.

 

Yep…

 

Missed it. Just left Billings headed home to Michigan.

 

So far the taco is doing the job. Been racing semi trucks up and down the hills. lol. The semis usually win

 

Made it home! The taco did ok. Yes under powered but she got us home. Unfortunately the weight flattened the leaf springs.